Search results | Digital Grinnell

Title: Edna M. Smith to Lucille Ley - December 14, 1944
Description: Edna expresses disappointment that her son is not in the photo Lucille sent. She says she has heard from all the other next-of-kin except one. She muses on the little information she knows about her son's military service and comments that she still has not received any off his personal effects. She wonders whether Lucille has ever been asked to settle Jimmy's estate, a process which she calls "red tape." She doubts whether George is actually dead without proof. The mothers swap photographs of their sons.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26522

Title: Edna M. Smith to Lucille Ley - November 13, 1944
Description: Edna outlines the chronology from the time she received notice that her son was missing in action to the time she received the list of crew members killed in action and Lucille's letter at almost the same time. She says her son never gave out any information or sent any photos, so she is glad to have more information. She begs Lucille for any additional photos or information she may have and expresses her solidarity as another mother of a missing soldier. She promises to send any updates she receives.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26521

Title: John L. Smith to Lucille Ley - December 14, 1944
Description: John sends Lucille a Christmas card in which he thanks Lucille for the photos she sent, although his son is not in them. He sends a photo to her. He agrees with her that the prostpects of their sons returning are slim, but wishes Lucille a nice Christmas nevertheless.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26525

Title: John L. Smith to Lucille Ley - November 10, 1944
Description: John expresses solidarity and emphasizes that parents of soldiers MIA must continue to wait and hope, but prepare for the worst. He requests any photos or information Lucille might have and offers the same to her.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26523

Title: Lucille Ley to Jimmy Ley - February 1, 1944
Description: Jimmy's mother congratulates him on receiving the Oak Leaf Cluster medal. She tells him she has enclosed news clippings and intends to send snacks to him soon. She updates him on friends and family, notably "little Sue" who has been hospitalized with pneumonia. Lucille relays to Jimmy her intention to "dig up" donations for soldiers in Algona and expresses her hope that Jimmy has enjoyed his furlough.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26476

Title: Lucille Ley to Jimmy Ley - February 10, 1944
Description: Jimmy's mother tells him about the forecasted snowstorm and about her research on Lincoln for the Aid Society. She describes recent visits from Rosie, Ruth, and the Johnsons--who visited unexpectedly. She informs Jimmy of the injury Harold Johnson sustained while playing basketball, which set him back on his cadet training. Mr. Harvey Johnson works as a repairman and Betty Johnsnon works for Senator Wilson in Washington, D.C. Harold is training to be a pursuit pilot. Lucille gossips about other young soldiers and updates Jimmy on the family's activities and work. She expresses how much she looks forward to building a garage after the war, and that she hopes, as ever, to hear from Jimmy soon. She encloses some local news clippings.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26482

Title: Lucille Ley to Jimmy Ley - February 2, 1944
Description: Jimmy's mother informs him that she has sent the snacks as promised and enclosed photos of his young nephew Steve. She muses about the mundane--newspapers she has received recently and bridge club--and then updates Jimmy on the health of various family members. She expresses that she is far more interested in her work for the Red Cross than in her writing for Acorn Club. She mentions briefly that Sid has returned from boat training before signing off to visit Janette and Joe.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26477