A Special Veterans Day Newsletter - Perspectives from My Dad, a WWII Veteran
Sending a heartfelt thank you to all veterans.
Happy Veterans Day,
I wanted to take a moment today to thank all veterans for their service and to remember those who have passed. One of those veterans is my dad, Dr. James Algiers, who served in the Navy on the Island of Attu during WWII. Over the years, my dad often spoke about his time on Attu and shared stories of his high school classmates & friends who had also served in WWII.
My dad wrote about those experiences in emails to his childhood friend Louie. These emails, filled with memories, reflections on the past, and observations about life today, became a regular thing. My dad even read the letters on our town’s local cable station in a special segment called Letters to Louie. Our family began calling them “Letters to Louie.” After each new letter, my mom, my siblings, and I would all tell him, “Those letters need to be in a book!”
Writing this book became my dad’s mission, and when he passed in 2020, I took it on myself. It’s been a slow process, but I’ve started organizing the letters again, hoping that one day Letters to Louie will find its way into the world and that my dad’s wisdom will live on and spread across the globe.
In the meantime, I wanted to take a moment today to share a few of his letters that talk about war, veterans, and honoring our country and those we encounter. I think we all could benefit from my dad’s wise reflections.
Awaiting That Generation — my dad asked the question of all questions, “Which generation will finally commit to peace?”
Honor Flight - my dad recalls his experience on the Honor Flight with my brother (a Navy veteran) and a plane full of other WWII Vets.
*Sidenote: Honor Flights are run by volunteers. To support this amazing organization, consider donating, becoming an Honor Flight volunteer, or helping a veteran take the flight.
The Men at My Table - my dad reflects on the men who served in WWII and shares the experience of one of his friends who was a prisoner of war.
WWII Reflections - a first-hand view of the impact of Pearl Harbor on a high school student (my dad) on a day that began as a typical day, but ended with everything having changed.
I hope you enjoy these letters, and if the spirit moves you, share them with a veteran! I’ll be sharing more letters in future issues and adding a special revamped Letters to Louie video segment as well.
Stay tuned!
Happy Veterans Day,
Abbey
