Wayne's Journal

Wednesday

My heart aches again!

Today a letter came from my dad. Enclosed was a telegram from Ray¹ to him. Dad had to enclose the telegram because he couldn’t bear to put the thought on paper.

Dad I don’t blame you; but you must have faith and hope in this case. As you say you feel and as I feel, nothing can be amiss with Shorty because we’d have somehow known it. It couldn’t happen without a ripple of excitement in heaven of that.

He’ll come out of it be assured that he has every possible chance of making it. Besides in a letter to Mom, written the first week in March, he wrote

Don’t worry about any of us boys, Mom. No matter what happens don’t ever give up hoping as it is possible and even if things look bad just have faith that everything will end up in good shape”.

You can bet your boots on it. Men like that can’t be beaten anywhere.

He will be ok. Please God, make it so. We all need his smile and want to have him badly. If ever my prayers be answered let this one be. We can’t lose him now. He’s so young so much life to live, so many things to do for you, so much of this world to change when the fuss is over. Too much love to give ere the curtain falls. So Father, bring him back to us, safely and soundly.

In a recent letter, Shorty mentioned attending church at Westminster Abbey on March 4th, just ten days before becoming MIA. His letter shows that he had plans for the future and that he’d attained a true faith in God. Flak hit their plane three times on one mission. As a result he said,

Since that time I realize that He will take care of me. Believe me, it has dispelled most of my fears!

By Golly! You can’t keep a man like that down. When I get home I expect to learn that he’s been heard from and is well and eagerly awaiting home coming. Until then I’ll be praying and hoping and pleading with all my heart. Please let it be thy will, Oh Lord.

Notes & Commentary

¹ Raymond C. Gray, Wayne’s uncle.