IngridSA

July 13th 1867 - Ohio

My dear sister, Sara

I’m just writing a letter to let you know that I made it to America safe and sound. I can’t believe it has been almost five months already. Time flies here. It was a really tough journey from Norway to the States and at one point I wasn’t sure if we would make it. It was a heavy storm and we had to go ashore on an island for a couple of days, to fix the ship. After our little stay at the delightful tropical island, we had wind in our sails until we arrived in New York. I got pretty good at speaking the english language because I met a pleasant gentleman, George, who had been to America several times before. This time he was going over to settle down and start a new life. He was travelling with his mother and sister who both seemed very nice.

Right after we arrived at Ellis Island, I got shipped on a train to the Midwest. I was parted from George, who had become a dear friend during the journey, and I didn’t get to hear where he was going. This made me sad since I would really like to write him a letter to tell him where I ended up, so he might come visit me. Unfortunately I didn’t see him nor his mother or sister on the train.

I didn’t get to see much of New York, but what I saw was amazing. Tall buildings as far as the eye could see and streets filled with hustle and bustle. You should have seen the city, I can’t explain it. I loved it from the first moment I saw it, even if it was just for a little while.

After a couple of days on the train, we came out in the desert where the heat was so intense that we had to stay away from the sun. We got of the train in a little city where we were going to stay. The people who took us there didn’t say much, except that we needed to go to look for work in the morning. We didn’t have much to eat so we were pretty exhausted after the long trip.

The day after I went to look for work as a seamstress, since I know my way around tailoring. I found the most adorable little shop with a charming old lady behind the counter. She said she needed someone to give her a hand with all the work and was happy to have me as her assistant. I couldn’t believe my luck! I started working the same day and I was very happy.

After a couple of weeks a man came by the shop to buy a dress for his mother and I couldn’t believe my own eyes. It was George who walked in! I don’t quite remember what happened next, but I can assure you it was a happy reunion. He told me this was the town he and his family had moved to, but they arrived just recently since they had a lot of things with them. George and I started seeing a lot of each other and the bond between us grew stronger. Last week he asked me to marry him! Can you believe it? I’m getting married, Sara! You have to come over to participate in the wedding. I can’t do this without you. I am sure we can arrange for you to move her as well. I know you would like it here. I hope everything is well back home. Please wright to me as soon as possible and tell me about everything back home. I miss you very much.

Love Alice

Letter from a soldier

February 12 1969 - Vietnam

Dear Jane

It is now ten months since I came to Vietnam and my situation has drastically changed since the last time I wrote to you. I am now in the hospital after a massive bomb raid from VC. But don’t worry – I will be fine. A fragment from one of the bombs hit me in the leg, but other then that I am fine. It hurts a bit when I walk on it, but the doctor says I will be back in the field in a couple of weeks. I have been really lucky, considering so many soldiers died during the attack. Some of them were friends of mine.

I can report of some good news though – I am being transferred to a calmer area where it’s fewer battles. I am going to watch the road to an isolated village and check the people who pass by for ID. I think that will be better. Many of the vietnamese are actually very nice to talk to.

The weather over here is very hot and dry, but once in a while it starts to rain cats and dogs. It only lasts for a couple of minutes and then it won’t rain for a couple of weeks. I really miss the snow at home and I am getting a bit tired of this weather. It’s always the same. I wish I could be home and make snowmen with the kids.

But anyway, how are the kids? Is George doing well at school? I appreciate the picture you sent. It’s great to have something positive to think about when I start wondering if the war never will end. I can’t wait to see you all again. Let’s hope it will be soon. You are always in my heart.

Yours truly, Will