Camp Holloway Discussion Forum Archive 02 - 05/07/01 to 02/28/03

Re: Shifty's Letter
In Response To: Re: Operation Wayne Grey ()

March 1969

To The Officers and Men of the 119th Assault Helicopter Company:

I would like to thank all of you for the beautiful flowers that you sent for my husband
Johnny. Your kindness meant more to me than I can ever say. Somehow it helps to ease the
sorrow a little just knowing that you care.

Most people here at home are too busy complaining about the war to pay much attention
to the real courage of the men who are fighting it. No one can see the heroism of you brave men
better than the wives, the mothers, the fathers, the brothers, the sisters, and the children who are
left here behind to worry about their loved ones, who are so very far away from home. They say
that war is hell, and it’s true. But we who love you live in our own little hell everyday -- that you
are over there. The Mail becomes the highlight of our day -- the only link with him who we miss
so much.

We kiss the baby every day and talk to him about the exciting day when his daddy will
come home at last. But for some of us the day comes when we are told that our husband won’t
be coming home ever again, and the baby he never got to see will never know his daddy’s loving
face, his smile, his laugh and the letters stop coming, and there is nothing but emptiness as the one
last link is broken. All that is left is to thank God for the precious little time we once had, and to
cherish the baby that lies asleep in our arms. Instead of the husband who was so strong and so
brave we are left with a folded flag -- symbol of the freedom he fought and died for.

My little son Christopher is now 2 1/2 months old, and looks exactly like his daddy.
Johnny would be so proud of him. Someday I will teach little Christopher to love this folded flag
as much as Johnny did.

Once again, let me thank all of you for your kind thoughtfulness -- it was appreciated far
more than words can ever say. Johnny had written to me about the fine outfit he was in and the
good men he worked with. You have proved to me that he was right. I would appreciate hearing
from any of Johnny’s friends. The days seem suddenly so long and dreary. May God bless you
brave men and keep you safe.

Mrs. Cynthia Schiffhauer

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Operation Wayne Grey
Re: Operation Wayne Grey
Re: Shifty's Letter
Re: Shifty's Letter
Re: Shifty's Letter
Re: Operation Wayne Grey