My Letter to John
To Someone I’ve Never Met About Someone I’ve Never Met
Before I deployed for the first time, I was able to research my paternal grandfather’s history. I was able to get in contact with his last living troop from his Company that fought beside him in WWII. Unfortunately, I was never able to meet my Grandfather because he passed away in 1992, two years before I was born. Everyone else in the Company has passed away, except for one: John.
I kept John’s name anonymous for his security.
Here is the letter:
John,
It is with the utmost honor that I am able to contact you. I hope that you and your family are in good health.
Let me introduce myself: My name is Nicole Keefe. I am one of the many granddaughters of Richard Keefe, who you knew as 2nd/1st Lieutenant in Company I of the 76th Infantry Division. Unfortunately, I was never able to meet him because he passed away from cancer in 1992, two years before I was born. However, I have heard an abundance of stories from my own Dad, and my uncle Jim Keefe (who has given me your contact information). They both have shown me pictures of Dick Keefe and have told me unforgettable legendary stories of Company I.
One of the main reasons that I decided to join the military was because of my grandfather, Richard Keefe. Never having met him, I saw him as a quintessential role model and the most influential patriarchal figure of my time. I wanted to have a special connection with him and to the family, so I joined the Air Force. I am now an Staff Sergeant (E5) in Logistics Operations; I am based in Dover, Delaware with the 46th Aerial Port Squadron. In December 2020, I will be deploying to Al Udeid, Qatar for almost a year. If all goes well, when I come back to the States, I plan on going to Officer Candidate School (either for the Air Force or the Army) and train as a Flight Officer.
I feel strongly united with my grandfather, Dick, because of my being in the military. It is something that is unexplainable, but when I see pictures of the 76th Infantry Division, and read books about the missions that you were part of during the focal point of WWII, it deepens my roots knowing that I am part of the same organization. I feel pride that I can find similarities between the both of us. Granted, the government, structure, and the military itself have changed dramatically since you were there in the 1940s. Even being a woman in the military was not a commonality until the late 70s! Even though that is the case, I feel that myself and my Grandfather are part of the same organization.
I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to contact you. I have heard so many humorous stories about my grandfather: his Irish stubbornness mixed with his youthful wit was, and is still, unparalleled. My grandfather still brings stories and laughter to the room without even being physically present. There is a reverence in holding the historical and infamous name of Keefe and in learning all the history that it holds. I feel extremely honored to be contacting someone that has known the raw side of Grandpa during a time of such adversity. I just hope that he could somehow see me right now and tell me that he is proud of me, and somehow, I feel that I am communicating to him through you.
I hope to keep in contact with you as much as I can, and I hope that you and your family are safe and healthy during this time.
Respectively,
Nicole
About the Creator
Nicole Keefe
Part time artist, writer, and hobbiest who isn't afraid to learn and step out of comfort zones.
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