SAMPLE CHAPTER “VOICES FROM THE FRONT...”
Chapter 28
(These letters are from Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty. Sergeant First Class (E-7) and his wife Susan Wilder. Jack turned 43 while at war—FS)
February 20, 2004
Frank
Here is the first of several letters between me and my husband, Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty. Sergeant First Class (E-7) 3d Infantry Division that I am going to send you...
Susan Wilder
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
To: Susan Wilder
March 14, 2003
Hey baby,
This will probably be the last letter that you get from me for a few weeks. I expect that we will be busy.... My platoon has been training hard. We will mark and bust the burm for the division’s thrust into Iraq. The guys are tired, but are ready to start, so we can finish.
Last night, my guys and I were sitting around talking, and they asked me if I was scared. I told them yes, because I am. But I also told them that we are prepared to fight and we will win. This is a responsibility that weighs heavily on my heart--the lives of those men. I have vowed to myself and to them that we will all return safely and in one piece. I pray daily that I can keep that promise.
How are you? I expect you are working horribly long hours. Please remember to take care of yourself. I know that you are expected to care for all those families,* but I need you to take care of yourself too.
How are my girls? Please tell them how very much I love them and that I miss them.
Susie, I love you. The past 6 moths in Kuwait have been long, but hopefully, I will return to you soon.
Take care my darling.... and remember that I adore you.
I LOVE YOU
Jack
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class
*Susan Wilder is the Mobilization, Deployment, Support Stability Manager, Ft. Stewart 3rd Infantry Division: she cares for families during deployments—FS
Susan Wilder
To: Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
Sunday March 30, 2003
Hello my darling,
Happy Anniversary! Wow, can you believe that we have been together for 19 years! Happy Birthday! [Jack turned 42] But you are not getting older, just better!
Thank you for loving me, I am missing you terribly on our special day. Do you know how many days 19 years is? 6935 Days, 988 Weeks, 228 Months, but not enough!
I miss you today, I miss your smell, your touch, how you hold me, looking into your green eyes, the sound of your voice, I just miss you.
Stay safe, Take care, and know that I love you.
Always
Susan
Susan Wilder
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
To: Susan Wilder
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Hey Baby
Well, I am sitting here thinking of you - as usual. When we are not on a mission or in a fight, I take off my Kevlar [helmet] and look at your picture. Have I told you lately that you are beautiful? I love you so much and I miss you terribly. Happy Anniversary baby, I promise I will make this up to you. Sometimes I wonder why you still love me, after all I have missed, birthdays, anniversaries, sickness, happy times. I don’t deserve you - but I am keeping you!
I miss your touch, the smell of your hair and your beautiful blue eyes. I miss waking you up with a cup of coffee and watching you get dressed. I guess that you could say that I really miss you.
How are the girls? Please tell them how much their dad loves them.
You are doing such a great job at home, raising the girls, working full time and taking care of everything while I am here. How is the new stove? I want you to know that I really appreciate everything that you do for our family.
....I heard a song the other day “Husbands and Wives,” by Brooks and Dunn, the words have nothing to do with us, but in my mind I pictured you and I two-stepping to it all night long.
I realize that over here you never know if there will be a tomorrow. When I come home, I want to hold you in my arms and see your beautiful smile everyday. Darling, you are the reason that I am able to make it through this war. I miss you terribly, I love you and I will be home soon.
I love you,
Jack
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class
Susan Wilder
To: Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
April, 1 2003
My Darling Jack,
I love you so very much and I am missing you especially bad today. We are seeing on the news that the 3d Infantry Division is leading the charge to Baghdad. Fear grips my heart, I worry so over you, I need you to come home to me, I love you so much – PLEASE, PLEASE Stay safe.
I went to my weekly briefing yesterday, and the G staff tells us that the push to Baghdad will be the worst. I love you darling. Things in the Division are tense; the families are waiting for the big push as we all hold our breaths.
I worry that you will be different when you come home. Is that silly? I worry that war will change you. I love you my darling. I know that you can tell I am scared from this letter, its not that I don’t believe in you, I know what a great soldier you are and the best Platoon Sergeant in the Army, it’s just those bastards that you are fighting against. Know that I love you and I believe in you AND THAT I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU.
Things at home are OK, the girls and I have bonded so much together. Often in the night, I wake to find Amy in our bed; war is hard for them also. Rachel’s sleepover went well last week; she really needed a diversion from the war.
Dad is still calling daily--I can hear the fear in his voice also, but he puts on a brave front for me. This must bring back memories from Vietnam for him. The Korean couple who own the store up the street ask about you every single day and they send their love.
Jack, do you know how much I love you? I will remain ever faithful and loving until you return to me. Stay safe and look at the stars at night. I am sending my love to you on them.
Always yours
Susan
Susan Wilder
Susan Wilder
To: Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
April, 9 2003
My darling Jack,
As I write this letter, I am just getting home from being at work for 2 straight days. When the 2d Brigade TOC got hit on the 7th, it was all over the news. The waiting to hear about casualties has been so very hard. I know that you are OK; I feel it in my heart.
Jack, Paul Smith got killed last week. I went to Birgits the next morning, she is coping the best she can. This is so damn hard. When I looked into Birgits face, I saw a reflection of me. You and Paul have the same jobs, please stay safe. My darling I love you.
I wonder if you are getting my letters. I have not heard your voice in so long. Dad calls almost every day. He always asks if you have called....
The girls are OK, I am trying to keep some normalcy in their lives, but Amy is struggling with you being at war. I often find her up in the middle of the night watching TV, crying and looking for a glimpse of you. Usually she comes to bed with me and we both cry ourselves to sleep. Rachel is good; she has been having a lot of friends over so that helps her cope with things.
Your sister and brother (Faye and Charles) have both called several times. Charles is really worried. I tell him not to worry, that Jack is the greatest soldier who ever lived! He laughed at me as usual!
The flowers in the front yard are starting to bloom, and of course your grass is growing.
Jack, please stay safe, I cannot imagine how my life would be without you in it. I need you to come home to me.
I am so proud of you and I love you so very much.
Always Yours
Susan
Susan Wilder
(Frank:
Here are the last two that I will send, and probably the most personal.
Susan Wilder )
Susan Wilder
To: Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
May, 1 2003
Hello my Darling,
Well its official, ground combat is over!!!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how elated I am that you are safe and will be coming home soon.
Jack, this is a really hard letter for me to write and will be for you to read, bear with me and understand my reasons for keeping this from you.
When you left last September, right after I had the breast biopsy, I lied to you. The tumor was malignant. I knew that if I told you the truth that you would have stayed with me and not have deployed to Kuwait then to Iraq. I also know that you would have been torn the entire time, between me and your men. So I made the choice for us.
I started radiation therapy in Nov and today was my last treatment! I still have most of my hair, and all but about 10 pounds. As far as the doc can tell, I am cancer free. I am going to hold off on a decision about having reconstructive surgery until you return home, but I am leaning toward doing it.
Jack, I know that you will be angry at me, and I understand why, but please understand that I did what I thought was best at the time.
I promise I am fine now.
I LOVE YOU
Always Yours
Susan
Susan Wilder
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
To: Susan Wilder
May, 17 2003
Hey Honey,
I received your letter today, and you are right, I was angry, but only for about 1 minute. Are you sure that you are OK? I cannot believe how strong you are. Most women would have crumbled under the pressure that you have had. Your job is enough to strain anyone, the girls, and how sick you have been.
Do you know that you are my hero? You are the true hero of this war. Things for you have been so hard, but as usual, you rose to the challenge. Susie, I love you, and I admire you for your strength and courage.
I am not angry. I love you and I do understand the decision you made.
You are the greatest soldier who ever lived. I love you with all my heart and soul and I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.
Jack
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Active duty, Sergeant First
Jack Wilder, United States Army, Sergeant First Class is in Ft. Stewart preparing to Return to Iraq. Susan is in remission and still taking care of the other families on the base--FS
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