Note: I have very few letters from Babe’s family to him. While organizing the documents and artifacts I’ve collected, I found some letters I forgot I had: They were apparently folded in his wallet and returned to his family with his personal effects after he was killed. This letter from my grandmother, Babe’s mother, was written April 9, 1945.
The letter is a bit damaged — remember, Babe drowned — so some of the words are barely legible and I denote my best guess at what they say by putting those words in parentheses.
The picture is of my grandmother with me in her kitchen on Lexington Avenue — the same house where Babe was raised — Oct. 6, 1963, about 10 months after I was born.
Dearest Son,
Hope you are well & safe as we are all well here. It’s been a long time since we heard from you. I hope you are not back in combat. I haven’t heard from Vince either. I hope he hasn’t left too.
Well, Babe, Bobby will be graduating soon. We think he is going to get the Balfour Award. Wouldn’t that be (grand)? He certainly has gone far in that school. They all seem to think (a lot of) him. I was at school last (night to) a card (party) for the scholarship fund. I guess this does not interest you, but it is something to say. We still miss you very much, Babe.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Love & Kisses from all,
Mom
Well, Happy and Safe 