Thank You Senator Kerry

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Announcement

Craig Crawford, co-author of "Listen Up Mr. President" and contributing Editor of CQ Quarterly, appeared on the Imus show today and once again kindly asked Imus for his continued help in pursuing Liberator Status for Patton's Boston Regiment. Imus of course recalled the issue and said that he would contact Kerry today.

This was last discussed with Imus by both Craig Crawford and Sen. Kerry on June 24th, 2009 when Kerry said enthusiastically "I think we're going to get it". We later learned that Sen. Kerry was so optimistic because both he and Sen. Kennedy had been in direct contact with Pete Geren, Sec. of the Army, on the behalf of Sec. of Defense Gates. The fastest path to Liberator Status would be for President Obama to sign an Executive Order. This had been discussed as a viable option by Sen. Kerry and Kennedy's office last spring, but needed to first follow protocol and contact the Sec. of Defense. In response Geren thanked them for their "support of these Soldiers of the "greatest generation" who served with such distinction" and assured them that he would be in touch with the results of the research work of the Center for US Military History. Unfortunately since then Sen. Kennedy has died and a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed. Time is marching much too quickly for these heroes of WWII and The Center for US Military History is moving much too slowly.

Don Imus is a man of his word and did indeed contact Sen. Kerry who will be appearing on the Imus show tomorrow morning as well as Craig Crawford. We are forever indebted to Don Imus and Craig Crawford for their efforts to bring this issue to national attention and a positive conclusion. We have great hope and faith in Sen. Kerry, a long time advocate of Vets. , that he will see that the 94th Infantry Division is granted Liberator Status, however it must be done either through the Center for US Military History or by requesting an Executive Order from President Obama.

Thank you once again Sen. Kerry, Don Imus and Craig Crawford for your
combined efforts to put history to rights, so the efforts of the 94th
Infantry Division and the victims of the Holocaust will be forever
remembered.

Letters 86 - 90

The war wasn't the only thing on the minds of Americans in 1944.  There was a polio epidemic and the March of Dimes was an active charity that struck children at home and worried soldiers overseas as mentioned in letter 89. On April 19, 1945 a musical debuted on Broadway whose closing song became a theme song for the March of Dimes.

Letter # 86
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg Co 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o P.M. N.Y., N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
France

Sept 25, 1944
Dear Mom,

Haven’t had much time for writing in the past couple days. Received 8 letters at once the other day Glad to hear you’re getting my mail regular now. Where am I going to get the Luke warm water for those socks, maybe you should have sent some of that too. The damn bees are driving me crazy. What does P.L. think about going to those stage shows? Clarence Elvey says he’s gonna study drama in N.Y.C. on this govt. deal. Guess I can finish school Tuition free. That should be pretty nice for everyone, you & me both. Guess everybody back home expects the wars over soon, believe me its far from over as far as we’re concerned. How does Dad like his glasses? It takes about 3 months for a package to get over here. War should be over before I get those clean socks. Am going to hit my foxhole & see if I can get a couple hours sleep.

Love to all, Eddie

Letter # 87
September 26, 1944
In France

Dear folks,
Am glad to be receiving your mail quite regularly again, hope it keep up. When you pack those boxes you can leave out the smokes as we’re issued 7 packs a week by the govt. & that’s plenty. I’m eating all the candy I can get my hands on though. Hope the war will be over by the time the boxes arrive. Will enjoy seeing those movies myself when I return. Glad to hear Peggy is pres. of her club, best I ever made it in the Dragons was sec. & bouncer & can’t you see me “bouncing” some of those boys around Got a letter from Jackie O’Mara & one from A. Kitty also A.Peg & Nan. Guess Bobby, Jimmy & I are really separted now. Never that things would turn out like they did when we were doing that high jumping, did you. Have earned a battle star for my little ribbon which I lost all ready. Guess we’l really be decorated when we hit the good old states again. So long for now Love, Eddie

Letter # 88
Sept 26, 1944
In France
Hello Peg,

Have been trying to find time, paper & ink to write you for the past couple of weeks. Hows everything at home? Are many of your boyfriends still around? Wrote to Bette McCarrow last week. Congrats! on your new position, pres. at last. What do you think about those shows, have you seen any of them yet? The winter program at the Evlanger is usually excellent. Want you to write & tell me how you like each show, if you have time & I hope you will. I hear your stepping out with Jimmy Revelle, better watch that stuff, he’s bigger than I am (almost) Was looking at that picture the “bad one” you sent me (I’ve carried it half way around the world in my wallet) anyhow I’ve decided I don’t like the way you put on your lipstick so you had better change your style if you haven’t already. Take care of yourself kid & save one of your parties for DeWitt & I. We’d love it.

Your brother, Eddie

Letter # 89

Oct 1st, 1944
In France

Dear folks,
Sorry I haven’t been able to write for the last couple days but I’ve been very busy & didn’t have the time to do so. Received your letter of the 9th & got a big kick out of Dad using his glasses to listen to the radio, sounds just like him. Wish Connie lots of luck on his birthday for me when you see him. Haven’t heard from home in a couple of days, guess our mail is tied up again. Did Dad solve that problem yet? guess he never heard of it before, guess its something new. Did you get that pin for Dad as yet? Will be satisfied & overjoyed when he can wear a pin saying “Son in Civilian Life” Can’t understand why Pop ever painted the steps yellow, they’l be a landmark in So. Buffalo from now on. Am going to drop another line to my classmates as my last letter to them was rudely interrupted & had to be abbreviated. Well, I’m feeling fine, eating well & consequently enriching the soil of France daily. Have finely cought up to where all the food is going & really appreciate it. Last couple of weeks have been rather rugged but we’re taking it a lot lasier at the present, hope it remains that way. Have got myself a swell girl friend over here. She’s 10 years old, blonde & blue eyes. She just came down to see me but I’ll finish my writing before I go & talk to her. Have a great time as I’m the only one around that can speak? French. Just took a time out from chow & received 3 letters from home. Guess you still don’t know I’m in France & that my stay in Eng was rather short. Looks like my prediction of Oct 8th is strictly all wet, see where Winston Churchill says early in ’45, ain’t that great? & then 2 years after the Japs. Boy! the kids really are getting a vacation, hope it help to stop the polio. The weather is fairly nice over here, little rain but not too bad, must still be hot in Buff what with 83º at the football game. Well, have to do a little work now so I shall be closing. Take care of yourselves & don’t worry about me as I’m using every precaution to insure getting home & the sooner the better.

Love to all, Your son Ed


Letter # 90
Oct 8th, 1944
France
Dear folks,
Received 2 let from home today, 1st ones to aknowledge my being in France. Have been running wild for the past couple days looking for some writing paper but finally found some. Glad to hear you liked the little sketch, even thou it wasn’t very good. Am taking things rather easy now & only hope it stays that way, have decided I don’t want the Congressional medal. Also nice to hear Peggy was pleased about the shows, hoped she would be. Read your letters thru & as I was reading Dad’s little note a couple tears ran down my cheek. Can’t understand it as we’re supposed to hard as nails but that “old man” of mine is okay. Got a letter from Mrs. Mulholland, Eng. Teacher at State, very nice & one from Ed Cowley. Tell Peggy to help herself to any of my sweaters etc. I hope Collella is doing very well, read it in “The Stars & Stripes” our G.I. newspaper printed in France. Good to hear Frankie Smith is recovering & Jim Donovan is safe. Getting dark so I’ll say so long for now & will write again tomorrow.

Love to all, Eddie

Letters 80 to 82

#80

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg Co 301st Inf. A.P.O. 94
c/o Postmaster N.Y, N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

Sept. 2nd, 1944
Somewhere in England

Dear Mom,

Received 4 letters from you yesterday but got into a card game & didn’t have time to answer until today. You mentioned the feast of the assumption in one of your letters & I want to let you know that I got to mass that day. Just happened to run into the chaplain & he was going to say mass outside (as there isn’t any church) so Carack & I both attended. Have been cutting up all my photographs so they can be small enough to carry in my wallet. Have of small picture of just about everyone. Its been raining continuously over here for 3 or 4 days now, typical Buffalo weather hey. Thought that letter that you, Dad, Peg & Ann wrote was very nice. You don’t have to bother sending Doug’s address! So Clint Bueliman told you all about the invasion of southern France, hope he’l be telling us all the right time again very soon & the way we got them going it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Wasn’t able to make London as I should have but I’m not very interested in it anyhow. A big batch of mail just came so I’m hoping for a letter or two & maybe my So. Buffalo News. Received that toilet paper & I intent to make use of it & I’m not just kidding. Well, school should be starting by the time you receive this, Peggy’s second year at So. Park. Hope she does as well this year as she did last. Know she will. Guess I’ll be able to get through school for free and I know I’ll have the required two years in or more. Glad to hear Doug was able to cable Connie & Lil, bet that it really gave them a thrill. You never mentioned Bob Humphries address, haven’t you been able to get it as yet? Would like to drop him a letter if I could. Well, have to get busy on my equipment & believe me I’ve really got plenty of it. As usual I feel fine & hope everyone at home feels likewise. Write soon & often

Love to all,
Eddie

P.S. Tell Peg to meet me at McGees after the war!

Letter # 81

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg. Co.301st Inf. A.P.O. 94
c/o Postmaster N.Y, N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

Sept. 8Th, 1944
Somewhere in France

Dear folks,

Sorry I haven’t been able to write lately & might not be able to write again for quite a some time but I don’t want you to worry about me. Can’t say much about where I am or what I’m doing but I’ll have lots to tell you when I get home which can’t be too soon. I’ve tasted the French wine and as a matter of fact I’ve got my canteen full of it right now. They say its better & safer to drink the wine than any milk or water so I’m not going to argue with them. Went to communion before embarking for France which I know will make you feel a lot better, I’ll never forget that break I had in seeing the family before I left. Guess I’m pretty lucky. Have been thinking that school opens next week. Looks like I won’t be able to make it this year. Next year I should be back if all goes well. It rains continuously over here but its fairly warm so I feel pretty good. Say hello to everyone be at home & I’m thinking of you always. Take good care of yourselves & I know St. Jude will take care of me. Write soon & often.

Love to all, Eddie

P.S. Enclosed something for your book!

Letter # 82

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hgts.Co. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94 c/o PM N.Y. N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

Sept. 20, 1944
In France

Dear Mom, Dad & Peggy,

Well, I’m still resting, if you want to call it that. We do more work when we’re resting than when we’re in action. Father Janko, the Catholic Chaplin, held services for us yesterday. Wasn’t able to go to communion as I had broken my fast eating some candy. However I think I told you before that I went to communion just before I left England so religiously I’m pretty well fixed. Know you’d be pleased to hear that we get the opportunity to attend mass occasionally. I’m enclosing a sloppy little sketch of a part of our temporary camp in England. It isn’t any good at all but its something I thought you might enjoy a little. Also am sending a check for 20$. Intend to send home from 25$ to 50$ per month as long as I’m over here. Want you to bank most of it for me unless you need it for something special. There’s one thing I want you to do with it every month, about 5$ I mean. Would like Peggy Lou to start going to the Evlanger to see the stage shows. Was always sorry I didn’t start going when I was younger. Anyhow I’d like Peggy to go up as often as she wants & perhaps she’l be able to see all the shows this winter. Also if she’d like to take any of the girls or best of all you & Dad I’d really like you to use my money. I know just what your thinking mother, that you’l put it all away for me but it would give me great satisfaction to have someone making good use of some of that dough. Hope you understand what I mean, think those shows are educational & tend to create a fine background. Tell Peggy she can spend as much as she wants for good seats, carfare & maybe a couple Hamburgers without onions afterwards. Know she’l enjoy it a lot and I want her to write and tell me how she liked the plays. Will you do that for me seriously?
Wrote a letter to the gang up at school a couple days or weeks ago. Never had time to really finish it though. Are you still spending your Sat. night out at Elmers? He’s quite a character. Tell him we’ll have a big celebration out there when the Dragons all come home. Harry thought he was a card. How do the Crowleys like living next to the Cowleys on good ole Woodside? There’s really a couple swell neighbors for you. We had a radio going out here today and they were playing that bar room music which reminded me so much of Curlys etc. & me drinking all that root beer & eating all the pretzels in the place. I’ll be drinking beers with you & Dad, and still trying to get all the pretzels when its over. Lost a little weight in the past couple weeks so I’m looking pretty trim at the present. How’s Dad doing with all his, he looked pretty rugged in that photo. Got a letter from a very cute little blond I met in Winona Miss. She’s the one that intends studying music at Rochester so I’ll keep right on writing. Incidentally you can write on both sides of the paper as your mail isn’t censored. Will make it that much lighter & you can say more. Guess that's all for now. Will write again soon.

Love to all, Eddie

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September 1944 Hit Song: Till Then by the Mills Brothers