HegeB

Dear my brother, Albert.
Before you left, I promised you that I would write letters, so here is a letter from us in Norway. We hope you are having a good time in America. I didn’t want you to leave us, but we know that you one day will be back. Only two weeks are gone, but it seems like months! I’m thinking of you every day. You are very far away, and it’s very difficult to visit you. Unfortunately, we have to wait till you come back. It’s hard, but we have to be patient. It must be quite exciting to move to another country where you’ve never been before! I think you are brave. I hope you’re enjoying your work with the agriculture, and that everything is going fine. The whole family misses you every day, and we’re looking forward to meet you again some time. Here in Norway it’s soon overcrowded with people, and constantly more Norwegians decides to immigrate to America like you. I’ve heard that your childhood friend, Bjørn, has immigrated. He travelled to America and has found a new girlfriend there, so I don’t think he’s coming back to Norway in the near future. I live as yet with mum, dad, Solveig and Peter in Sogn. Daddy is a bit worried of you since you left us, and he doesn’t want to lose his oldest son. He’s afraid that you will never come back, but we’re trying to comfort him. We have just got new neighbours, just a few metre from our house. They seem to be really nice, but you know..., now everyone is so confused cause of the overcrowding, so I haven’t got the chance to meet them.

You have certainly got some letters from your wife too. They are still living in the valley, waiting for you. I haven’t seen them for a while, but I guess she and your children are doing nicely. Last I saw her, she missed you very much. The children were asking for you, and were quite sad because they couldn’t be with their daddy. I guess it’s still going on… But when you’re coming back, you’re hopefully richer and able to take better care of your little family!

Much has happened in Norway. Owing to the over-population, many farmers must end their farming. That’s because it isn’t that much ground to everyone which it was earlier. Many people think therefore it might be better to immigrate to America.

I’ll wait for your answer, where you might can tell me how your life in America is! Do you know when you will be back?

Love from Nora

Dear Mum! March 12, 1971
I’m very sorry that you haven’t got letters since the last 10 days. I hope you trust me, and that you know I’m fine. I’ve send some pictures to you that I hope you will take care of as a memory. You can also show them to the rest of the family. I hope you are well, and I’m looking forward to meet you and the family again sometime. How is it going with my little sister? It’s sad that I can’t celebrate her birthday tomorrow with you, but I’ll think of her. By the way, I got your letter today. It was nice to get a picture of the whole family as a little memory! You said that dad was better in his back than before, and that was very good to hear. Then he can soon start working at the farm again. You also mention grandma in the letter. Nice to know she’s well and in good health. I guess she’s living in her house as yet? Yesterday I saw something terrible. While I was gate watching, my best friend Jack and two other soldiers went out of the bush. Unfortunately only two came back, wounded. Jack was killed by our adversaries, and the other two were hardly injured. We’ve been here for 12 days now. We know we’re doing a big job for our country, but it costs a lot of lives. We’ve already lost many soldiers, but don’t be scared mum. I swear you won’t lose me! We’re taking our weapons with us in any case, including when we are sleeping. We have built many walls where we have fastened some guns. So if the enemy draws near, we just hide ourselves behind the wall. If they’re coming closer, we have to shoot. I’ve learned how to aim with a weapon, and I’m getting more and more clever. I’ve also met other persons, and everyone is very nice to each other. Five of the soldiers are actually from my home district! By the way, I miss America sometimes. You know, our camp isn’t exactly a luxury place to live! The food we get is not like your food, mum. So as you certainly know, I’ve much to look forward when I’m getting home! The Vietnam War is a tough thing for me, since I’ve never been a soldier in a war before! But as I said previously, I have learnt a lot! We’ve had some hectic days now, and everyone is tired. But we’re not giving up for our country!

I hope for an answer. Then you must tell me more about how America is now. Love you mum, and tell the rest of the family that I love them too!

Warmest regards from John