 Light one little candle... |
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| Christmas Letters to Mother…. from a soldier faraway…. |
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to his home in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania… |
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….where heroes are remembered all year ‘round |
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. William Barclay Foster built his dream at the forks of two main thoroughfares and named it after the naval hero of the war of 1812, Captain James Lawrence (“Don’t give up the ship!”)His son, composer Stephen Collins Foster, was born in Lawrenceville in 1826.
. We reprinted these letters from the December, 1983 edition of the Lawrenceville News & Digest. The names are fictitious but the events are very real. With them, we have added Hollywood’s contribution to those times with scenes that carry the same feeling
from both the war front and the home front.
Mrs. Thomas Lehigh December 10th, 1862 Dear Mama, Everything is fine with your son, Edward. John Logan is also with me My company (B Company, 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry) has been moved It is snowing and so I am constantly reminded of the coming holidays. Please remember me to the family as it doesn’t look as though the war will be over for several more months. These Rebs are surely a stubborn lot. Praying that you are well I remain.
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 Leslie Howard and Vivien Leigh in
"Gone With The Wind" 1939 |
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 The March family read a letter from their soldier
father in "Lttle Women" 1949
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 James Stewart and Philip Alford in
"Shenandoah" 1965
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…On December 11th,1862, the Army of the Potomac advanced against the Army of Virginia amid the gentle rolling hills of Fredericksburg. The Confederate batteries on Marye’s Heights rained a storm of death down upon the six waves of Union forces ordered up that slope. Losses numbered over 4,000 before the battle ended on December 13th. But under the snow, the dead showed no rank or color as the blue and the gray lay together. John Logan was among those for whom the war was over. In the spring of 1865 the conflict ended finally ceased…. ….and some went home. |
 Patrick Swayze and Lesley-Ann Down in
"North and South",
a 1985 television mini-series. |
 Jude Law and Nicole Kidman in
"Cold Mountain" 2003 |
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 Julian Adams and Gwendolyn Edwards in
"The Last Confederate" 2005
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Mrs. Edward Lehigh II December 25, 1917 Dear Mother, I hope Christmas at home is progressing as usual but, of course it will be over before you get this letter. Last night, at the stroke of midnight, the war stopped for a little while. We even exchanged rations with some of the German soldiers bivouacked beyond the ridge. I am in awe of the tremendous significance of this great day even so far from home. Perhaps the world will soon be at peace and war a thing of the past. That is what this fight must do if it is to be worth the cost. Well, I hear rifle shots so I must go. Congratulate Aunt Meg and Uncle Jake on the new arrival and kiss baby Walter for me. I will write more later. Your son, William
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 Renee Adoree and John Gilbert in
"The Big Parade" 1925
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 Gary Cooper and Mary Pickford in
"Farewell to Arms" 1925
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 Nelson Eddy sings "Silent Night" to his enemies
in "Balalaika" 1939
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…..on December 30th, 1917, William Scott Lehigh was killed when his company attempted to take a ridge near Chateau Thierry in France. The Armistice was signed on November 11th, 1918 after a loss of over 52,000 American lives…. ….but some came home. |
 Gary Cooper as "Sergeant York" 1941 |
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 Audrey Tautou as Mathilde in
" A Very Long Engagement" (French) 2004
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Mary Pickford in "The Love Light" 1921
Mrs. Jacob Lehigh December 15th,1944 Dear Mom, I’m still seeing Europe the hard way, on foot. What I wouldn’t give for that old Plymouth or even my battered blue bike. I thank you very much for the Christmas presents and goodies. The oatmeal cookies went over big with all the guys so I’m glad you sent plenty. The people in the village here are pretty swell and seven of us spent Sunday evening with a family down the road. I can’t explain what it was I ate, but it was very good. We heard the Germans have begun a move up the valley so things will probably get busy by New Year’s. Let all the girls know I’ll be home soon and give Dad a hug for me. Love, |
 Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson in
"Mrs. Miniver" 1942
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Ginger Rogers, Kim Hunter and Patricia Collinge
in "Tender Comrade" 1943
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 Shirley Temple, Claudette Colbert and Jennifer
Jones in "Since You Went Away" 1944
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| ….From December 16th to December 27th, 1944 the German army fought to halt the Allied advance near Bastogne. It was later called the Battle of the Bulge because of the unusual shape of the terrain in the Ardennes. Untold numbers were killed or injured before the Allies broke through the German lines. The war lasted in Europe until May 8th, 1945 and in the Pacific until September 2nd, 1945. ….and then some came home. |
 The Best Years of Our Lives" 1946 |
 Cary Grant in "Father Goose" 1964 |
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 "The Winds of War", a television mini-series 1983 |
 Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth in
"One Minute To Zero" 1952
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Mrs. Walter Lehigh December 19th, 1952 Dear Mother, Remind me never to complain about the cold again. After guard duty, we look like those cartoon characters in Li’l Abner, with the icicles on their noses. We can’t get out much because of the danger. Our friends and enemies all look alike and even children can’t be trusted. A hell of a war, isn’t it? I found an ivory box for you in Seoul on one of our supply trips and a strange carved amulet for Sis. I also bought a pipe for Dad but the label on the box says “made in Cleveland”. Please have a Merry Christmas and make it a very good New Year. I’ll see you in the spring. Love. |
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 Humphrey Bogart and June Allyson in
"Battle Circus" 1953
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 William Holden and Mickey Rooney
in "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" 1954
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 Alan Ladd and June Allyson on the set of
'The McConnell Story" 1955
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…By December, 1952 the war in Korea became the “Battle of the Hills”….Pork Chop Hill, Heartbreak Ridge and the others. Jake came back minus a leg lost to an exploding land mine. Many more died in the cold earth of the east. The war ended in 1953… …and some came home. |
 Rock Hudson in "Battle Hymn" 1957 |
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 Springtime in My Hometown" (Korean) 1998 |
Mrs. Jacob Lehigh December 23rd, 1967 Dear Mom, Got your letter of October 7th yesterday. Mail is inclined to be a little slow along the Ho Chi Minh Trail because we have to keep moving. Even hospital units have to be mobile in these parts. Thank Aunt Mary for that black number. It’s not regulation but it sure keeps up the morale. Chances are I won’t be getting home for awhile unless someone in Washington does an about face and sends in the “offense”. The guys up North mean business and we can’t stop them with a “finger in the dike”. Light a candle at Midnight Mass and I’ll do the same….we do have some amenities here in good old “Nam. Love you all, |
 Robert DeNiro in "The Deer Hunter" 1978 |
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 Jane Fonda and Jon Voight in
"Coming Home" 1978
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 Robin Williams in "Good Morning, Vietnam" 1987 |
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| ….In January 1968 during the Tet Offensive, the mobile hospital at Hue was bombed by the Viet Cong. Lt. Susan Blake Lehigh, R.N., was one of the casualties. The war lasted until 1975’’’ ….and then some came home. |
 "In Country" 1989 |
 Tom Cruise in "Born on the Fourth of July" 1989 |
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 Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise in
"Forrest Gump" 1994
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Lawrenceville's " Doughboy" stands guard at the forks of the road
Today, like every American town, Lawrenceville has again sent its young heroes off to war. We pray this Christmas that they keep safe and return home to us soon.