History Gives Perspective in Times of Crisis

By Matt Doran

In times of crisis, history helps us keep things in perspective. Seventy-five years ago, men and women of the Greatest Generation were fighting on the battlefields and working in the factories to defend democracy. Worldwide, more than 15,000,000 soldiers and 45,000,000 civilians died.
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My maternal grandfather, Pfc. Fred Rish, wrote these words on March 15, 1945 from the Philippines:

Dear Mom:

Yes, I am still alive; just too busy fighting to write any sooner. I have lived through Hell these past couple weeks, but I haven't had a bullet touch my skin yet. I've had at least a hundred go through my clothes and equipment! I guess I am just plain lucky. If you think you have mountains back there, you ought to see where the Japs are dug in! This is the hardest fighting country you can imagine.

I don't know when I will get a chance to write again, so please be patient. I still haven't gotten any mail, so I don't know what to write. It's been 2 months since I got a letter from Freda.
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I hope you are well and happy. Say hello to Pop and all the rest. And thanks for the prayer -- I need it.
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Your Son
Fred

​Read the full collection of letters at WarMemory.com.