We spent the day in Palm Springs (more about that later) and ended in Palm Desert for the WildLights which is "celebrating 29 years dazzling guests by transforming the Zoo into a sparkling winter wonderland. Come to this festive, annual tradition and marvel at more than a million colorful, sparkling holiday lights."

We both agreed that this might be our new Christmastime tradition. What a magical night.

This exhibit, at the Temecula Valley Museum, is where art meets science! I loved it all.

𝅘𝅥𝅮 The weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful... I think I'll drink tea and read. Let it rain. Let it rain. Let it rain! 𝅘𝅥𝅮

In my March 15th post, I introduced you to Private Ivan J. Holmes and his brother, sailor Noel Buzzy Holmes, as I shared a collection of letters written between the boys and their mother during WWII. Cindy bought this treasure at an estate sale and passed them to me to "do something with".

I don't know what made 1944 so writing-worthy but the boys sent 76 letters to their mother (Ivan was the winner with 46). Though the four, from 1943, had some sweet and not so sweet sentiments. April 6, 1943 Ordinance School Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland From Ivan (age 19): "Dear Mother & Pop & kids, Well I still like the Army very much although I'd rather be home with you. They told us that we'd be right behind the front lines. Life is always best when there isn't any war to think of. I dream of you all the time Mother Dear. I wish I was home Mother Dear. If I was there, I could protect you Mother Dear. I would keep the flowers growing by just touching them to be as beautiful as you."

December 6, 1943 Cape Adair, Oregon From Ivan: "Soon it will be over I hope and I am not staying in this damn army. As soon as it is over I'm coming home to stay and I mean to stay, too."

Not everything was a traditional letter. The military mail system and the amount of post flowing back and forth internationally during the war was massive. An unprecedented amount of mail was moved about during the war with Army post offices, fleet post offices and US post offices flooded with mail. Each year of the war, the number of pieces of mail increased. In 1945, 2.5 billion pieces went through the Army Postal Service and 8 million pieces through Navy post offices. To bring mail service to those serving worldwide, the military postal system required a global network and innovative practice.

V-mail, short for “Victory mail,” was a particular postal system put into place during the war to drastically reduce the space needed to transport mail thus freeing up room for other valuable supplies. Although the V-mail system was only used between June 1942 and November 1945, over 1 billion items were processed through these means.

V-mail was described as “an expeditious mail program which provides for quick mail service to and from soldiers overseas. A special form is used which permits the letter to be photographed in microfilm. The small film is transported and then reproduced and delivered. Use of V-mail is urged because it greatly furthers the war effort by saving shipping and airplane space.” Obviously, the Holmes brothers did not favorite this way of letter writing as most of their mail was very traditional.

A handful of telegrams were sent, too. Most either said where the serviceman could be found or to ask for cash.

I was surprised at how few postcards the boys had sent. This one intrigued me. It was of the Dry Falls in the State of Washington- Forty Niagaras Once Roared Here. What intrigued the most was 1. I had never heard of these Falls, and 2. the fact that the card was "furnished for convenience of men in the armed services by the Washington State Progress Commission."

Also interesting was this certificate which Ivan had to sign. "I certify that I have personally examined the items of captured enemy military equipment, that its trophy value of such items exceeds any training, service, or scrap value..." Ivan attested to two hunting rifles and one shotgun. I wish it said where the items were captured. I know he was in Germany and France.

Buzzy appears to have had the better tour of duty while in the Navy.

Most of his letters were sent via Air Mail, though his location could not be divulged.

He was even in Maui, Hawaii, 14 years before it became a state.

Two of Noel's letters shared sorrows which are difficult to imagine. On August 26, 1945, from the USS Sumter PA52, "It is lonely here so I guess I will go to church for the first time and pray to come home. I am more homesick more than I ever was. Maybe it is because the war is over. Say, who is Ivan going around with? I did not know I could miss him so much the way we used to fight."

The last letter, in my collection, Mrs. Crecelius received (sent by Noel upon learning of Ivan's death, while riding a motorcycle on leave, at age 22) was dated March 4, 1947, "Dearest Mother and Dad, I received your telegram Wed., morning the 5th. I'm lost for words. I can't imagine it and yet I know it has happened. I've been trying to get to get an emergency leave but I'm still waiting. Why won't they let me go? You know, I have never asked the Navy for one thing and man, when I want something more than anything in the world, they won't come through with it."

So with this post, I must say goodbye to the two sons who served our country and who loved their mommy so much. I'm teary just thinking of their story. I'm happy I got to share it with you.

“Life is bearable when you have someone to write, and someone who writes you back. Even if it's just one person.” ―Eunjin Jang