December 14, 15, and 17, 1944

Sending Christmas cards has been a holiday tradition since Henry Cole sent the first Christmas card in 1843 in England. However, for Johnnie, shopping for Christmas cards was not a priority. His days were filled with the rigors of military life: the biting cold, the possibility of snow underfoot, and the constant stress of training for the war. Despite these challenges, Johnnie’s heart remained with his loved ones back home. Determined to send season’s greetings, he wrote two V-mails, both dated December 14, 1944. One was addressed to the Stacks Brothers Lumber Company, the business owned by his father-in-law in College Park. Through those letters, Johnnie bridged the gap between war-torn battlefields and the comfort of home, sharing his love and well wishes across the miles. There was a small “Western Union” box in the bottom left corner where Johnnie wrote:

To: A Gang’s I Can’t forget

Johnnie

 

The second V-mail was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Stacks. This V-mail had the same image as the one addressed to the lumber company but in the Western Union box he wrote:

To: Mom and Pop Stacks
God Bless You Both
Love, Johnnie

 

Johnnie hoped that Lucile would treat herself to a gift, perhaps because he knew he would not be home for Christmas. His insistence was evident in the V-mail he sent on December 15, 1944.

Hello Honey,

A few lines to let you know I am thinking of you and wondering all the time if everything is going alright with you back there at home. As for myself, I am OK. How is Nell? Has she become a Mother yet? Tell her I am sweating to know whether it’s a boy or girl, Ha Ha. O yeah, be sure and let me know whenever you receive the money I sent you. Also, some other things I sent you and your Mother. I wrote Nell and told her to be sure you spend the money I sent you on yourself. What I mean by that is not to buy things for the house this time or save it. I know there are things you want for yourself personally. So, use it that way. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie’s sister-in-law, Nell

Johnnie, like countless other men across the United States, would not be home for Christmas that year. However, he sent his best wishes to the Stacks family when he wrote Lucile’s parents a V-mail on December 15, 1944.

Hello Folks,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope that this finds you both the same. How is the rest of the family? I hope no sickness. I bet all the kids are kindly happy being that Christmas is just a few more days. Being that the way things are, I hope all of you enjoy this one as much as you can. At least you can dream that all us boys are there. Maybe we all can make the next one. Well, I will close for this time. Be sure and write when you get time to. Tell Luke I said I still love her a million. Your son.

Lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s anticipation grew as Nell’s baby drew nearer. In his letters to Lucile, he inquired eagerly about both Nell and the little one. On December 17, 1944, he revealed that he had purchased a gift, eager to surprise her.

My Dear Darling,

I received a box of candy, two letters and the box with the socks and toilet article. These are the first letters I have received from you in almost two weeks. Gosh, I sure hope it isn’t that long before I hear from you again. I know darn well it isn’t your fault. Well, I guess that’s enough on that. In one of the letters you were telling me about Earl and Elvie getting married. You shouldn’t have told her what you did about the first night. You’ll have her scared to death, Ha Ha. That’s enough on that too. I guess you didn’t understand me on getting me some socks. I was hoping to get some thick socks. The kind I wanted was the kind you wear in boots. That’s what I am wearing anyway. What they call combat boots. I don’t guess you can get that kind, can you? These are OK but they are more like summer socks over here. I hope you understand me and don’t get mad at me. Tell Doc I wish I was on my way back home. It seems so long since I seen you and the rest of the family. I was at a rest camp in one of the towns here a few days ago and I bought a few things for you and Mom Stacks. Also, some things for Nell’s baby. Don’t say anything to her about it. I want it to be a surprise to her. Well honey, I will close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Earl and Elvie (Orr) Stacks 

December 3, 4, 7, and 10, 1944

Lucile has been spreading Christmas cheer to Johnnie. On December 3, 1944, he wrote back to let her know that he had received her packages and had sent her some Christmas money.

My Dear Darling,

I received two letters from you today, also a box of nuts from your Mother. I am going to write her as soon as I finish this to you and thank her. I hope this finds you well in health and doing alright back there at home. Business must be picking up where you work being that you are training some more girls to run the machine. Am I right? I sent you a hundred dollars yesterday. I am sure you need it being that you won’t spend the checks you get every month. I am sending this to you to buy things for yourself and that’s just what I want you to do with it. Honey, I hope you have a good Christmas. All the packages I have received in the last week is making it not so bad here for me being that I am so far away from home. The day I get back home and being with you once more will be a present for me for life. And to prove to you a lot of things. I haven’t heard from Irwin in a good while now. Do you know whether Vergia or Edna ever received the letter I wrote them? I guess by the time you get this letter Nell will have the baby. I bet it a girl, Ha Ha. But I hope it’s a boy. That’s what we need to take care of us later on in years. Don’t you think? And I guess she and Bob was thinking the same things. I am glad to hear Earl got deferred for awhile. I guess Earl knows what he is doing about getting married. The way you say they carry on about each other. No reason why they shall not make a go of it. Of course, him going in the service makes a lot of difference. Well honey, I will have to close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie. God bless you.

Nell and her husband Robert

On December 4, 1944, Johnnie wrote a V-mail to Lucile, sharing news about Forest Tubbs—a fellow soldier and friend from Shelby, Tennessee. Forest was heading home, a casualty of battle after serving 13 months with the Fifth Army in Italy. A mortar blast had left him with 10 painful pieces of shrapnel embedded in his body. Forest’s actions included fighting in the Battle of Rome and seeing combat on the Gothic Line for which he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart. 

My Dear Wife,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope with all my heart that this finds you well and OK. Honey, you remember Forrest Tubbs? The guy I had a picture made with him? It’s a small picture I sent you a good while back. Well, the last time we were up on the front, he got wounded and he wrote me from the hospital where he is at the present and said he was going back to the States. He got hit two or three times. One place was in the hand, so bad he said that he was sure that he wouldn’t be able to use it right any more. I really will miss him. But I guess he’s lucky he wasn’t hurt as bad as he was. He sure seems to be happy about going back home. Who over here wouldn’t be? Well honey, I guess this is all the news for this time. So, I will close. God bless you. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie 

Pfc. Forest Tubbs

Amid war, simple acts of kindness carry immense weight. Johnnie wrote Lucile on December 7, 1944 and shared how a family friend had sent him a package. As he wrote, he conjured images of loved ones back home—a practice likely repeated by countless soldiers seeking solace amidst the distant battlefields.

My Dear Darling

I received two letters tonight, one from you and one from Dot. Sure was glad to hear from you. I was beginning to think you was sick and wasn’t able to write. Say, in this letter from you, you were telling me about how your jaw was swollen from having a tooth pulled and that you had another one to come out. You better take care of your teeth or before you know it, you won’t have any, Ha Ha. Yes, my teeth are OK now. I still have them all and had them fixed up while I was back at the hospital. Of course, I can’t take care of them over here like I should, but when I do have time, I do my best to take care of them. You say Dot and little Carol are spending the night with you and Nell. I can just picture all of you together in the front room and I guess Dot is cutting up like she always did when I was home and she came to see us. And you curled up in a chair watching her take on, Ha Ha. Say, in Dot’s letter she said Nell was smoking. I guess all three of you still hide them when Mom Stacks comes around, right, Ha Ha. I guess Nell will be a mother by the time you get this. Has she had any trouble lately? Tell her I’m pulling for her. Honey, a couple of days ago I received a package from a Mrs. A. E. Green who lived there in Atlanta. She lived on St. Louis Pl. I guess she’s a friend of Dad and his wife if I remember. I think they wrote me and told me a friend of theirs was sending me a package. Anyway, I wrote and thanked her. That was pretty nice, don’t you think? A person sending a package to a guy she doesn’t even know or anything about him. Say, those pictures I sent of me and a buddy of mine sometime ago, did you ever have them painted? If you did you never wrote and told me. I would like to see a picture of me just before I came into the Army, and look at it, then look into a mirror and just see how much I have changed. I know I look a lot older than my age. Well honey, I will have to close. Tell Doc and Mom Stacks I said hello and the kids also. And God bless all of you. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Lucile’s sisters, Dot and Nell Stacks

Johnnie wrote Lucile a letter on December 10, 1944, sharing news about a box of pecans his father had sent him. While he appreciated the thoughtful gesture, Johnnie secretly wished it had been a box of candy instead.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am OK. I hope and pray that this finds you in the best of health, and the rest of the family the same. I received another package today from Dad and his wife. It was a box of pecans. I wrote and told you about receiving a box from your Mother, didn’t I? Well I wasn’t expecting any more nuts and I thought this box had candy in it. But I got fooled, Ha Ha. I wouldn’t mind so much nuts if they were already shelled. I am getting pretty lazy, aren’t I. Well, as you know I never did go for nuts much anyway. Getting them was something different though. I have just got back from a church meeting. I really enjoyed it. Something I never thought much about as you know when I was back home. I hope I am not too late. I am going to have to make this short this time because there nothing to write about this time. Tell Doc and Mom Stacks I said hello. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. Always. God bless you.

Johnnie 

November 22 and 28, 1944

As Thanksgiving approached, Johnnie once again found himself far from home and his family. Writing a V-mail to Lucile on November 22, 1944, he likely imagined the Thanksgiving feast the family would enjoy the next day. In a playful tone, he teased Lucile, suggesting that she must relish eating turkey. However, amidst the holiday spirit, he also shared somber news about a medal he had received.

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and alright. Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I guess you will go up to your mothers to eat because I guess Doc will get a turkey. He usually does and I know if they have that you will be right there to help them eat it, Ha Ha. Will you get tomorrow off from where you work? O’yes, you asked me if I could send you the medal with the rifle on it. I could but I lost it. I will get another one when they get some in. If so, I will send it to you. I received four letters from you today. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Combat Infantryman Badge

Johnnie discussed receiving early Christmas presents and sent Christmas wishes in his November 22, 1944 V-mail to Luclie’s parents. 

Hello Folks,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope with all my heart that this finds you both the same and the rest of the family well and alright. I received the Christmas package today and everything it had was so nicely wrapped as it was when I left there and none of it was spoiled like most of the packages I have been getting. I think all of it is swell. It’s almost like being home for Christmas, which I pray and hope to be by the time the next one rolls around. I received a fruit cake from my stepmother and I tell you that was a surprise as you know me and her never had much to say to each other when I was home. I can’t understand it, Ha Ha. She’s getting where she writes me pretty regular. Oh yeah, what do you think of Luke buying a new bedroom suite? I really think it’s swell. That’s what I want her to have, the best. I owe her lots Mom as you know, and I guess I will never be able to pay her for all she has done for me, and me too dopey to realize it. I pray to God to get me back to make up a lot of things to her. Well, I will close for now just in case it takes this letter to Christmas to get to you. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and God bless you. 

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Lucile’s parents, Sam and Leola Stacks

The regiment relocated to the Fifth Army rest center in Pistola on November 24, 1944, for a well-deserved period of relaxation. All personnel had the chance to indulge in the center’s diverse recreational facilities. 

Many people, when faced with danger, realize that past actions can hurt people. Johnnie expressed remorse in his November 28, 1944 letter to Lucile for something he had apparently done in the past.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines hoping with all my heart that this finds you well and making out alright back there at home. As for myself, I am OK but I often wonder about you and the swell times we did have together, even though there was some bad times and I grant you, I know who was the blame for them. You were right Luke, you told me one time if you remember that I was the one that had to pay for what I did. And I am paying. Why you stayed on with me, I do not know. But if things come out alright and peace is in this world once more, we will start a new life all over again and things that was between us I hope will be in the past. I am sorry this pen is writing darker, but the pen I was using gave out of ink, and being I couldn’t get any more ink for it, I had to borrow another pen, so just look over the light or dark writing. I received the fruit cake from you today and the fudge candy. The candy wasn’t any good. But the fruit cake was swell. Me and the boys finished it up in a hurry, Ha Ha. I also received a Christmas box from Louise. It had a small fruit cake and some candy. It’s funny, the candy everybody else sends me is alright. But let you send me some and it isn’t any good. Can you make that out? I received two letters from you today and one from Mom Stacks. Honey, I can understand how you feel about working all the time, and the way you feel about things. But it can’t be like this always. I pray for it not to be anyway. The letter your Mother sent me had some pictures. I sure was glad to get them. At least it’s some of the family and that’s what I want. I want some more of you too. Also, if you can, what about getting me a good wallet. The one I have is about played out. Well, I haven’t much news to write this time except I want you to know I miss you more each day that goes by and I want you to believe in me even though I have no right to ask you to after what was, may I say, hurting you like I did a couple of times. Well God bless you and take care of you for me and I want you to know I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Here is a piece of France money for a keepsake. Say, did you ever get the Italian money I sent you?

Love, Johnnie

P.S. I have about three months pay coming. When I get it, I will send it to you if I can.

Love, Johnnie

The regiment returned to the Gagliano area on November 29 to resume their training.

During his stay in the hospital in November, Johnnie found himself with ample time for reflection. Once again, a sense of remorse washed over him as he wrote a letter to Lucile on November 29, 1944.

My Dear Darling,

I hope with all my heart that this finds you well and making out OK. As for myself, I am OK. Just missing you more and hoping and praying it won’t be long till I am back with you. Lou, you know as long as I went with you and as long as we have been married that I never talked much on how I felt about things between me and you. I guess I am just not that type of a guy. But you know my ways by now and I know I could keep on writing page after page, telling you how much you have done for me and me being too dopey to realize it till it was almost to late. You know what I am talking about and I know you have written me and told me that all of that is in the past, and to forget about it. But I can’t and I guess I never will. That’s one thing that will stay with me always and I want you to know. I pray to God every night to return me to you so I can try to make up for it to you. Well, you know how things stand now. So, I will drop the subject. How is Mom Stacks and Doc? You know they are two of the sweetest people in the world and I miss them just as much as I would if they were my own Mother or Dad. Well, you know how I feel about them. And the whole family as far as that goes. Well honey, I will close for now. So, God bless you and I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

 

Lucile

During the month of November, eight men were commissioned, the result of meritorious service during combat. Five Legion of Merits, 10 Silver Stars (1 posthumously), 11 Oak Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medals, 84 Bronze Stars (2 posthumously), 44 Purple Hearts, 10 Oak Leaf Cluster to Purple Hearts, and 190 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. A Service Company received a Meritorious Service Unit plaque for superior performance of duty in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks in Italy from August 1 to October 16, 1944. Eighteen enlisted men were killed in action, 1 officer and 93 enlisted men were wounded in action, and 11 enlisted men were missing in action. The Regiment now consisted of 125 officers, 5 warrant officers, and 3146 enlisted men. Three hundred and twenty-four replacements were received during the month.

During December, training continued in the Gagliano tent area. The daily schedule covered scouting, patrolling, small unit tactics, mine training, physical conditioning, night exercises, and weapons training. Special focus was on replacements, who received extra instruction in basic subjects. The use of known distance and combat ranges near Mount Calvi (8598) was maximized. Additionally, tactical firing exercises emphasized fire and movement.

Motor maintenance received special attention to prepare vehicles for the next phase of operations. The regiment was also issued special winter clothing, including jackets, parkas, bedrolls, and waterproof suits.

November 16 and 19, 1944

The rugged foothills of the northern Apennines posed significant challenges for mountain warfare. Supply and medical units faced difficulties due to poor trails, washed-out bridges, and steep slopes. Supplies were delivered to the front line by mule train, which suffered casualties from enemy fire and treacherous terrain. Evacuating casualties was especially tough during heavy rain. At one point, a hospital was set up in a church to care for litter cases until they could be carried to an ambulance point over half a mile away.

Pack mule train of 26th Indian Mule Company with British 13th Corps,
moving through the town of Marradi. This unit hauls ammunition to forward areas,
October 3, 1944. Photographer: Yaskell, 3131 Signal Service Co.
Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive.
Public domain.

Throughout the month, the critical importance of swiftly establishing defensive fires upon capturing an objective became abundantly clear. Despite relentless German counter-attacks—ranging from small squads to entire companies—our accurate artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire consistently thwarted their advances. The enemy never breached our front line significantly, and once an objective fell under our regiment’s control, it remained secure.

Our regiment faced formidable challenges: treacherous terrain and a cunning adversary. Yet, undeterred, we pressed forward, covering nine air-line miles in just 25 days—a pivotal role in spearheading the Fifth Army’s attack. The enemy effectively used the protection provided by Italian farmhouses and buildings, often fortified with wire, mines, and all-round defense. Strongpoints had to be outflanked before the stubborn German forces surrendered or were captured. While the gains made during the month were not spectacular, they were significant.

During the month of October, 704 prisoners were captured. Three men received battlefield commissions. One Distinguished Service Cross Medal, 2 Legion of Merits, 10 Silver Stars (3 posthumously), 4 Oak Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medals (1 posthumously), 72 Bronze Stars (2 posthumously, 1 missing in action), 283 Purple Hearts, 63 Oak Leaf Cluster to Purple Hearts, and 108 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. Six officers and 160 enlisted men were killed in action, 35 officers and 735 enlisted men were wounded in action, and 5 officers and 135 enlisted men were missing in action. The Regiment now consisted of 119 officers, 5 warrant officers, and 2639 enlisted men. Two hundred replacements were received during the month.

Click here to read the Operations Report by the 337th Infantry Regiment for November/December 1944.

At the beginning of the November, the 2nd Battalion, along with Company K, held Castellare (Hill 351), while the 3rd Battalion (excluding Company K) occupied positions on the Cuccoli Ridge. The 1st Battalion remained in reserve, camped near Migliarina. At 2 AM on November 2, the 1st Battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion at Castellare, and the 2nd Battalion moved to the Migliarina tent area.

Throughout the month, the regiment actively defended its assigned sector. Aggressive and coordinated patrolling was conducted to maintain contact with the enemy, prevent infiltration into our lines, and accurately locate enemy weapons and positions. Reconnaissance patrols confirmed that the Germans held positions on Hill 431, Hill 444, il Paggio, and Mezzano. Notably, a Company C ambush patrol successfully engaged an enemy patrol, while a Company B combat patrol attempted to breach Hill 308 without success.

The enemy relentlessly targeted our front line and rear areas with artillery, mortars, nebelwerfers (a rocket launcher, also known as a “Screaming Mimi” and “Moaning Minnie”), and long-range machine guns. Our forces responded with both observed and harassing fire. We fortified our position with thousands of barbed wire, anti-tank, and anti-personnel mines, as well as trip flares. Telephone communication was established to connect all positions and adjacent units. 

Russland, Laden eines Nebelwerfers, which translates to “Russia, loading a Nebelwerfer,”
Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-220-0634-12 / Scheffler / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE,
via Wikimedia Commons. 

The night of November 8, the 2nd Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion, which withdrew to Migliarina. Simultaneously, Company A set up an ambush south of Bursane, eliminating at least four German soldiers. The night of November 10, the 3rd Battalion moved to the division temporary camp near Gagliana. Beginning November 12, the regiment focused on intensive training and reconditioning, with a priority on preparing replacements.

On November 16, 1944, Johnnie wrote a heartfelt letter to Lucile, pouring out his innermost thoughts. He touched on a range of topics, from health and writing supplies to Christmas gifts, family matters, feelings of jealousy, and the solace found in prayer and unwavering faith.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope with all my heart that this finds you well in health and making out OK back there at home. I have received quite a bit of mail from you in the last few days and you don’t know just how good it makes me feel to hear from you like that. My latest letter from you on November second just took twelve days to get here. Not bad. Do you think? I received the envelope and tablets with most of the envelopes addressed to you. You are really on the ball, Ha, Ha. You should have sent me some stamps with all of this writing paper and envelopes. I hope I can get up a stamp to mail this. If not, it your own fault, Ha, Ha. I have three months pay coming sometime soon. I am sending it all home for you for Christmas presents. I guess that is the best I can do, being there’s nothing else for me to send. You wanted to know whether I was still in Italy. Yes, I am still here. O yes, tell Verg and Edna that Irvin is OK, he wasn’t hurt bad. A buddy of mine met him in the hospital, that’s why I know. I guess he is back with his outfit by now. I received a nice fruit cake from Dad and his wife. It was really good. I am still waiting for my packages from you and Mom Stacks, they shall be here by now. I received a nice letter from your Sis Dot. Also, one from little Nell. They both write that they are making out OK. They are really swell. And I would do anything for them both. I have a bracelet I bought and it has on it every town and country I have been in, at least most of them anyway, and if I can I am going to try and send it to you. It isn’t so good to wear, because it made of cheap stuff and it will turn color on your arm. I guess by the time you get this Mickey will be done. Tell Doc and Mom Stacks not to worry too much about him, for the Lord will take care of him for them. I have found that out since I been overseas. And believe me honey, you have a different husband, and a guy that knows what the Lord can do when you live the way he wants and believe in him and pray. I pray every night to the Lord to return me to you and to watch over you for me while I am away. Lou, you said in this last letter that you write what you think. That’s what I want you to do. Its more like you were right beside me talking to me. O yes, about Louise sending me a fruit cake, I didn’t ask her to. She wrote me and said she was sending me one. I wish I could explain to you why I don’t think it is a good idea for you to go down to see Louise and them. I guess it is just the idea of you traveling alone that far and it maybe I am just jealous of some guys might get smart with you traveling alone. I don’t guess you see it my way and I guess I don’t blame you, but if you are going, I wish you would get somebody to travel with you. I will close for now. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie’s dad John and his wife Lola

Johnnie sent a photo to Lucile of his company commander, Lt. General Mark Clark, awarding the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain James Doyle, “the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army (and previously the United States Air Force), for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.” The front of the photo was marked “To: Captain James M. Doyle, 337th Infantry Regiment, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE, MARK W. CLARK, Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding Fifth Army, Italy, November 16, 1944.” On the back of the photo, Johnnie wrote “My Company Command awarded the D.S.C. He is in the States now. “A Great Guy.” Love, Johnnie”

While details about Johnnie’s release from the hospital and subsequent return to his regiment remain unknown, U.S. World War II Hospital Admission Card Files reveal that he was hospitalized in November 1944 due to non-venereal balanitis, an inflammation of the glans penis. Interestingly, during WWII, approximately 146,000 U.S. troops were hospitalized for various penile conditions, including balanitis, balanoposthitis, phimosis, and paraphimosis. An article titled ‘Penile Inflammatory Skin Disorders and the Preventive Role of Circumcision’ suggests that prophylactic circumcision before deployment could have saved both time and resources. 

In his November 19, 1944 letter to Lucile, Johnnie expressed that he had found peace with the Lord. He prayed to return home to Lucile and the rest of the family, eager to demonstrate the transformation he had undergone.

My Dearest Darling, 

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope with all my heart that this finds you the same. My outfit is back at the rest area now for a while and today is Sunday and I went to church services this morning. I should have went tonight but being that I received quite a few letters from you and a couple from Dad I thought I would try to catch up a little on my writing. One thing honey, I want you to know I tried to go to all the church services I can, and when I was back at the hospital when I got able, I went to all the services that they held. I have learned a lot about what a guy like me, for example, never thought of about life and the right way of living which I want to show you I can do and will do as long as I live. I pray to the Lord every night to return me to you and the rest of my family and yours where I can show them what a change of life I have found and didn’t have sense enough to understand or maybe I shall say too dumb to look at the right side of the Lord way of life. But I tell you now, I know and I have asked him to give me the chance to go his way. Things I have done I know wasn’t right I have asked him to forgive me. Some you know about and some I guess you don’t know about. But you will. I will tell you everything. Well honey, I will have to close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie