This is the twelfth of 87 letters exchanged during World War II between Nicholas Salvatore and Elizabeth Galloway.
For more see Nicholas and Elizabeth.
November 25, 1943
Italy
Dear Elizabeth,
We’ve just finished our Thanksgiving dinner here, and you know what? It wasn’t half bad. I know I haven’t been here for very long, but it doesn’t take much time to start to appreciate everything that you had even though you thought you didn’t have much at all. How’s everything there? Does your family have any special Thanksgiving traditions? Ours were usually only the three of us, but my grandma would cook for days. After becoming a US citizen she embraced everything that was “American” and tops for her was celebrating Thanksgiving. I don’t know where she got the money (no, strike that, my father must have been up to his old tricks), but we had leftovers for days. She wasn’t happy until the two of us had eaten so much that we fell asleep on the couch. All the while she kept trying to serve us dessert. Oh, to be there now.
Winter is coming on quickly here. The men jokingly ask when we’re going to go sledding and have snowball fights. Other than calling me “Sally” (on account of my last name), they’re a pretty good bunch. I suppose I fit in here more than I’ve ever fit in anywhere. But I can’t imagine it would be that way if it wasn’t for the war. Do you like yams? My grandma would make the most amazing yams. I hope this thanksgiving finds you well. I think of you often. I don’t think I have to say, but I’m very thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving princess,
Nicholas
Next letter – December 6, 1943
Words will keep us together 