Thank you to all of you who read the letters sent back from three WW2 theatres of the war.  We thought you might like to read an “ending” for them. Some of you may be wondering where and how they were found.  Most of them were addressed to “Jean and Jerry” (Jerry was the brother who was not in the war due to medical reasons.)  He and Jean were newly married and unknown to others, they kept all of the letters they received.  Their son found them in a shoebox several years ago.

My daughter Amy Jurries took great interest in the find and wanted them to be shared with family and others as well.  She archived each letter in the proper storage materials and then began the long job of recording the contents so that they could appear on this website.  Some of the letters were those found later – Lorne’s letters to his parents for example, though Milly burned the letters he had sent to her, which of course was her right.  Amy also added historical material and photos – both family photos and those she researched, in order to provide the setting for the news in the letters.

Thankfully all 3 of those involved in the conflict came home.  They did not readily share their experiences and they resumed leading their lives as before.  Both Cliff and Beany married and had families, made a living, enjoyed family gatherings.  Lorne’s National Guard Unit was called up during the Korean War and he and his family moved again to Alabama and Georgia assignments for a year and a half.

The Nelson family was very close – continually worrying about their siblings and their mother, especially after their father died in 1943.  This kind of bond is quite evident in the letters.  It is sad to say that everyone who wrote or was mentioned in the letters is now gone.  The only person still living is me, and I am so blessed to have been part of the family portrayed in this collection, and to know and be related to the sons and daughters and grandchildren of each of them.

Thank you again for your interest and we hope you enjoyed the read and perhaps learned from this very personal collection of an amazing time in the history of the United States.

Susan Kay Ward Jurries

Big Stone Lake, South Dakota

“Dear J. & J.

I am having a good time. I came to Milbank Sun. nite. Everybody are fine here and Odin is home. The news said today the 8th Div. sailed for U.S. today, so Beany should be in N.Y. Sat. I’m coming home Tues. nite on No. 6. 

Greetings from all.

Love, Mother”

Streetcar At Fort Snelling Station

“Dear Beany,

Our last mail from you was your letter of Sept 13th- how about exercising your arm a little more often? Guess this letter is a few days late, so I’d better not kick.

Last night Eleanor changed her name from Miss to Mrs. It was a beautiful wedding. Susan was flower girl and did a very nice job of it. After the wedding about twenty of us were invited to a dinner at a Cafe near Inga’s. Then we went to the N.C.O. Club at Ft. Snelling for the reception.

Bill Porter (Eleanor’s hubby) had two cases of whiskey so everyone had plenty to drink. There were a lot of Bill’s friends from Wold-Chamberlain there so it was a large crowd. We gave them a large round mirror from all of us for a wedding gift. I took Mom, Jennie and Charley home afterwards, so it was near 3:30 when we crawled into bed. Lorne & Milly went home earlier.

We slept late today- then went down to a movie. See Deanna Durbin in ‘Lady on a Train’. It was good.

Jean was at a shower the other night, so I had a poker game at our house. I won $1.65- t’was our first game since the club party we had two months ago.

We were out with Lucy Wells last Sat. eve. She and Lila were down here for the weekend and stayed with Mom Saturday night. We all had supper at Mom’s then went to a night club near Robbinsdale. The orchestra dedicated a piece to Lucy, which she enjoyed. She has a discharge now and plans to go back to Civilian nursing soon. She asked about you and Cliff and is sure anxioous to see you again.

Jean’s brother Jack is in Shanghai, China now. He’s been overseas since last May. Says he’ll be home when his ship comes back for repairs. He is a Fireman 2/C. 

Lorne, Jim, Russ and Marty didn’t do too well on their So. Dakota hunting trip last weekend. They brought back four a piece. Minn. pheasant hunting starts Oct, 20th. Maybe I’ll take up hunting when you and Cliff get home. I think I’d enjoy it.

Bye for this time. Hello from Jean. Write often.

Love,

Jean & Jerry 

Hope you get your F.F. Candy soon. Happy birthday again!”

“Dear Beany,

Received  your letter of Sept. 13th. Sounds like you had a nice trip to Luxembourg City. Tell us more about it.

Now that you’re Chief of your outfit, I’ll bet you’re kept plenty busy. It’s darn good experience though- supervising a bunch of fellows- and will help you in any type of work you do later. 

I still have no definite news on the future of my job. They say all War Service appointees will have to take a Civil Service Exam along with returning veterans who take it and not having veterans preference will make it tough to retain my job. My appointment reads for the duration and six months, but as yet they have not set a date for the duration. If I eventually get released I don’t know exactly what I would do. I’d hate to go back to hopping counters for someone else again. What are the ideas you said you were toying with?

We sent you a box of Fanny Farmer candy for your birthday and will give you something when you become a civilian again. We’re out of ideas for gifts! Being that you expect to be home for Christmas, we aren’t sending your Xmas box but intend to present it to you in person under the tree!

The news from Cliff is about the same. He’s still in a Dental Clinic, but expects to go back to Dental X-ray soon. He has hopes of being home before spring- or about another 5 or 6 months from now.

Jean and I were over to Milly’s for a wild duck supper last night. They got a couple from some teacher there. Lorne, Jim, Russ and Marty plan to go out to So. Dakota this coming weekend for pheasant hunting. Hope they bring some back! Mom said she though they’d can some.

I’m still driving Mom’s Ford to work. The motor is in good shape, but I’ve had tire trouble a couple of times.

They had a shower for Eleanor last Fri. night. I took Jean’s mom, Lucille, Mrs. Swanstrom, and Jean over. I spent the evening in the basement with Lorne, Fred, Milton, and Bill Porter (Eleanor’s future) playing poker. Luck wasn’t with me though, so didn’t take any extra shackles home with me.

Guess I’m out of news for the time so will say bye for now. Hello from Jean and write often.

Love,

Jean & Jerry

“Dear Jean and Jerry,

I was rather surprised to hear that you had sold the car- more so to hear what you got for it. I think you did a wise thing and am glad you didn’t wait for my approval. It wouldn’t have been worth half as much this fall. It must have been worth our while keeping up the appearance like we did.

One of these days I’ll probably hear something about going home. They haven’t done much about Officers over here up until now. I’m afraid I’ll have trouble with a Minnesota winter after an absence of so many years.

Enjoyed your letter Jean, it contained a lot of news and things I wanted to know. If I can I’ll try to get you some more perfume before I head for the happy land.

Will keep you posted on developments as they arise.

Love, Beany”

Luxembourg 1945

“Dear Jean and Jerry,

I’m here on a three day pass- it is a beautiful city and is very modern in most respects. We are busy in our new camp- my old boss left so I am Chief now. Besides P Ex and Special Service, I am I&E Officer but I have some good Sgt’s that know their work.

Still don’t know when I’ll get home but guess it will be before Xmas if things aren’t Snafued too much. Hope Cliff gets back soon. Lorne must like living a Mr. again. I don’t know what I’ll do when I do get out but am pretty sure I won’t go back to Wards. Have been toying with a couple of ideas but will have to wait to see how things are at home first. Is your job going to last or what else will you do?

No other news- the old monotonous routine goes on and we are all getting more bitter and disgusted each day. Being around POW’s this long has been bad for the mental condition of all of us.

Good luck, Beany”

Church at San Fernando, La Union 1945

“Dear Jean & Jerry,

Received your letter of Aug. 21st- I see you hadn’t heard from me in several days. Mom wrote that she hadn’t either. Evidently the mail was delayed or probably lost.

Censorship of packages and letters was lifted as of today. As you have seen by the heading of my letter, I am located near a town called San Fernando. There are two towns of the same name- I am in the northern most one about 175 miles north of Manila. I am working in a General Dispensary located on a beach in a nice area. I expect to go back to our hospital unit soon to work in the dental clinic there.

Well, the Japs have surrendered in almost all areas now and the occupation of Japan seems to be going along smoothly. It doesn’t seem true that it’s all over.

I imagine you’ve seen Milly, Susan & Lorne by now. Mom wrote that they expected to be home early in September.

It looks as if I’ll be out here for at least six months yet but hope I’ll get home much sooner.

Greetings to your family, Jean”

Love, Cliff”

Troops Heading To Le Havre To Be Shipped Home

“Dear Jean and Jerry,

I just heard that Lorne will be a civilian by the time you receive this. I’m happy to hear about it. Still have no idea when I’ll get home except what the papers and news say. It should be by Xmas tho and that would be wonderful after five years away from home at Xmas time. 

I’m kept much busier here than the other place. I’m the Chief Post Exchange, Special Service, Athletic and I&E Officer now. I also have our 11 piece orchestra to book and take around to Nancy, Metz, and surrounding places. They are really a hot band now and play all the latest numbers. My dancing is slowly improving but I can’t stand late hours like the good old days. I’ve acquired a nice officers wardrobe now but won’t mind hanging them away in a closet for my children to admire.

Have you any idea how long your job will last now. I’ve been toying with a number of ideas about my future but being over here sort of throws a log on them. Suppose I’ll find something, tho, at least a good corner for selling apples. While reconverting of War plants goes on there will be long lines of unemployment for some time but eventually there should be years of prosperity with a higher standard of living.

Thanks for the letter Jean- it was very interesting and contained much news. Hope you’ll find time to write more often.

I’ll let you know on any developments that happen about me but it will be some time, I think, before they remember I’m still here.

As ever,

Beany”

Operation Magic Carpet- Soldiers Return Home 1945

“Dear Jean and Jerry,

I am a couple of days late in writing this week but I’ve been waiting for a letter from you- I received a letter from Milly today dated Aug. 17th. She sent three snapshots of Susan, Lorne, herself and Sniffy. They were very good of them. I think Susan has grown so much!

Mom’s letter of Aug. 19th stated that Lorne would be discharged from the Army on Sept. 1st. I was surprised to hear that he was getting out so quickly. It was sure good news- they should be home very soon.

I have sixty eight points to date and eighty will be the next critical score so I will be eligible for discharge in about six months. There is a chance of the score being lowered some more but transportation seems to be the problem. Conditions in that respect should become better all the time. I hope Beany can be with you before the end of the year. 

What are Jack’s chances of getting out of the Navy in the near future? I received T-shirts, candy, and a book in a package from Mom today.

Hope to receive a letter from you soon.

Love, Cliff”

POWs Released From Japan

“Dear Jean & Jerry,

Received your letter of Aug. 11th today, two letters from Mom and a check for ten dollars from the railroad company. The company explained the delay was caused by not having my address. Got a letter from Beany written July 31st- he was waiting for reassignment or a trip home. He should get back before the end of the year. I think I expect to be out here from six months to a year but sure hope to get home a lot sooner.

The peace terms with Japan will be signed in a few days. Hope there won’t be any trouble up there. It’s sure good to know that the war is finally over.

Mom mentioned that Eleanor was getting married soon. I understand her boyfriend is a very nice fellow. Mom wrote that she was all settled now- I imagine she will take an apartment when Milly & Lorne come home. That would be best for her.

Glad to hear you had such a good time at your party. Were Christ and Lu in the gang? I am still on detached service but expect to go back to our unit soon. Bye for now.

Love,

Cliff”