Mean Brother Blog

Today I was having an interesting conversation with a friend of mine about communication. It is ironic that  I am blogging away on the computer and about to tell the story of my grandmother’s  letter from 1944. You see I come from a very large family.  My mother is the youngest of 10 children. There were 6 girls and 4 boys. My mother had two brothers in Europe during World War II. Her brother Private W. Moretsky an aid man had recovered from wounds received on the battlefield and had just returned to his unit, the Med. Det. Infantry. On September 20Th Private W. Moretsky went forward into the face of heavy enemy fire, in order to effect the evacuation of a wounded solider.  He was then mortally wounded near Nancy, France.  Her other brother Private A. Moretsky was fighting in Europe under General Patton’s Army. He was one of many soldiers to liberate one of the Concentration Camps.

The family was so grateful he arrived home safely. He too was injured during battle. Being named after Private W. Moretsky I was given by my Uncle Private A. Moretsky the Purple Heart and all his metals  from that day he lost his life in battle. Along with these precious items, I later received from my cousin a letter dated August 1944 written to Private W. Moretsky from his mother , my grandma.  You can just imagine the mixed emotions I felt immediately just touching this thin paper with somewhat faded cursive handwriting. A true letter of love written to my Uncle Private W. Moretsky. She writes, ”Although I did not hear from you since your letter dated July 25Th, I pray and hope you are well. I was just notified by the War Dept. today about you being slightly wounded in action July 15th. I am always so worried about you and Abe, and pray to God that your wound is healing up fine. I have gotten two letters from Abe, dated July 27Th and July 30Th. He writes he is fine and as they go through France the peasants throw flowers at them and greet them with great cheers. I hope he remains well and sound through this terrible war. Well Vev, write more about yourself.  How do you feel now? No news at home, only thinking of you and Abe. Your Ma .”

 This letter keeps his memory close to my family’s heart and will forever be a very precious piece of history. Just this one letter has given our family a little bit of information about a man we never knew. I realize life has changed tremendously with email. My hope is even with all the conveniences of our world today, that more of us take the time to send that card or letter that could be cherished for years to come.  I am honored to part of a family that risked their lives for our freedom.