Recently, I rediscovered an old letter sent to my father (‘PJ” – Patrick J. Riley) from “Uncle Bill.” It was sent during World War II when Bill was serving in the Army somewhere in France. Although there is no year posted in the letter, the day of its composition reads, “July 26   In France”.  I am not going to post all three pages of the letter, because it would take up too much space, but I will type out some tidbits.

In the letter Bill wrote, “had me a birthday the other day, (July 24) my third in the khakis.”  He thoughtfully inquired as to the well-being of various pals and fellows of his, and he let us know that his brother Francis and nephew Russell Mulligan, had both received Army promotions. Bill made mention of “Casey”, (Uncle Fred to us) who at that time had been in the South (Pacific) and had “been banging around down there for quite a while.”

There is a reference to some packages that “Ma” had sent him, and he also asked his brother “PJ” how Barbara, Joan and Bill and Jim were doing.

He signed off his letter with the following: “Well it seems strange to think of being here in France.  I wish I could relate some of the things I’ve witnessed, it’s history in a hurry, but it will have to wait.”