The Wartime Letters of John Brey, Jr.: December 25, 1943

JOHN BREY JR.

This is a posthumously published blog of letters written by SSG John Brey Jr. to his wife Peg between March 1943 and July 1945, covering training in USA, Deployment to England, France, front line service up to being wounded at the battle for Metz on Nov 13, 1944, and 7 months recuperation in England, and Topika Kansas. His wife delivered his first son, Jack in March 1945 while John was in route back to the US from England. After convalescent leave in May 1945, John remained away from his new family in an Army Hospital in Kansas until his discharge at the end of July.

This blog is maintained by Ken Brey with thanks to Jack Brey who did the scanning and organization, Dot Fulks who holds the original letters and Ed Brey who helped with the technical aspects of creating the blog.

Want to help? Post comments which include the full text of the letters. I will integrate the full text into the blog when there is enough of it.

December 25, 1943

	I Love You Honey! Merry Xmas Darling! Friday Eve. My Dearest Darling Honey I don’t know how to start this – as I know I should get on my knees and Beg forgiveness for the letters I have been writing – but your not around for me to put on that type of demonstration – so I’ll have to just ask Honey – I am really sorry – I know I’ve did wrong – but for some reason couldn’t control myself – Honey will you ever forgive me? Something in me took a turn – guess I gave myself a good talking to – and decided it was time I quit feeling sorry for myself and get on the proverbial “ball” – It was really funny if you stop & really think of it – my mind was on the loose – and I’m not alone – as almost everyone here is the same - It gets so one loses control of himself – we’ve done things that we’d ever though of doing before. I realize Darling that this explanation or apology may not mean, or rather, bear out to you what I’ve really got to say – It’s difficult – but I know the next time I get feeling like I have I’ll take myself out next to the mountains and butt my head a few times
	against one of the rocks & let it go at that.. Honey will you forgive me? Please write and say you can understand what I’m trying to put across! I Love You My Darling Peggy and that is one thing I realize more & more as each day goes by!! To me you are life – and life itself!! Santa Claus really came to me today! Four Boxes – and two of them from the Sweetest & most wonderful girl in the world – gee Thanks a Million Honey – everything you sent comes in mighty handy. I do like the pen. It’s running pretty smoothly! I can’t hardly use it – as you can plainly see because I’m so accustomed to the heavy point! But I know I’ll do better in my handwriting with it! I Love You Honey! Received a box from Home. It had a fruit cake – candy – hankies - stockings – gum – and lo and behold cough drops! Guess Mom knows me better than anyone!! Also received a gift box from Kraft’s candy – handkerchief & a money belt-I now have three Money belts – wish I could fill them up! So Darling My Xmas is Complete right now – can’t say as how I want anything else! Oh yes – one
	thing – byt you won’t have to bring it – I want a Wedding Ring – size 7 1/2 – I’d like to get one so much so Honey will you search your area & see if you can find similar to yours & we’ll get it! I Love You Darling!! The $10 enclosed is a little Xmas gift – had hoped to buy you something and send it – but it was no soap – everything they had around here was cheap junk and there wasn’t any sense in wasting money on something you wouldn’t use! So Darling a Merry Xmas – I wish to quote something from the Reader’s Digest ---- guess I can’t – cause I’ve lost the Copy – but it was something like this “ Peg Darling the Army may have thousands of miles apart during Xmas, but our spirits will be together in Prayer during this great feast day.” Prayer & Prayer alone is the only consolation one has in an isolated spot as this.. Pray Honey that soon we may leave here. I Love You My Darling Wife! A Merry Xmas to everyone at your house. I imagine there’ll be quite a few of you at home to celebrate – won’t be long they’ll have to set
	that extra place—that is when the war is over! We’ll really enjoy ourselves after all this is over – and Honey I don’t believe I’ll ever have to worry about a job. Kraft’s sounds good to me. In his letter he stated that we were all included in his post war plans & that he hoped this would be our last Xmas in the service! Everything looks really clear & happy to me tonight! Merry Xmas Darling!! I Love You!! Honey I was frankly very glad to hear you’re red headed cousin visited you – we definitely are in no position to give you the necessary care nor are we in position to Love a kid & give it the proper start! No Honey as yet I’m not that ignorant to hope for something I know shouldn’t be! I Love You Darling – and I want to be with you to share the bitterness & rejoicing there is to bringing our 1st child into the world. It’ll someday happen – I Pray! No kidding Honey that is one thing I look forward to – I believe we’ll make the 1st a boy! I Love you Darling. I really do! Well darling a very Merry Xmas & Happy New Year – I Love you Darling! God Bless You Love & Kisses Johnnie

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