LTTE "Happy Mother's Day" from Korea 1951 (Anniston Star, Alabama)

Happy Mother's Day

It was 1951 and I was a young paratrooper in Korea. The company commander called me into his tent and said, "Sgt. Orand, I have a letter from your mother. She wants to know if you are dead. How long has it been since you wrote her?" "Today, sir."

I thought I should write her every day for a few days. It was nice to talk to her, so I just kept writing, every day. Not too long after that my dad died, so I thought I ought to continue for a few more days. She wrote frequently and said how much the postcards meant. She said, "When I get lonesome I always look forward to your postcard. I know I always have mail." She said, "Since Daddy died, I have received over 3,000 cards and letters." By the time of her death, the number would exceed 4,000.

Thanks, commander, for the reprimand. It was one of the nicest things anyone ever did for me.

Happy Mother's Day.

Windell Orand
Anniston