The letter writers include service members and their family members. Each letter transcribed into music provides a window into a moment of their experience of the conflicts listed below, which capture the breadth of American history. Many of the writers and the recipients of the letters, after their service, went on to continue to serve their communities in a variety of ways.
The American Revolution
James Davenport enlisted in the Massachusetts militia in 1776 and joined the Continental Army in 1777. He served throughout the American Revolution through 1783. His letters to his brother describe the conditions under which he and others with him marched and encountered British forces as well as descriptions of the Continental Army’s encampments. Today, Davenport’s letters are an important primary source for what life was like for everyday enlisted Soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers during the Revolutionary War.
The piece “I Set Myself Down This Moment” is taken from his letter from October of 1782 and includes a dialogue with his pen in the style of an object narrative, which was a popular literary form of the time. The song, “Preparation for Battle,” is excerpted from his letter from August of 1780 when he was encamped at Hackensack near New York, where the Continental Army frequently encountered and fought British troops.
For more about Davenport’s experience, see the exhibit featuring his letters online at the Museum of the American Revolution.
The Civil War
CPT. Jacob Ritner and his wife Emeline corresponded throughout his service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Their letters are published in Love and Valor, a book curated by their great-great grandson, Charles Larimer. Three songs in the album, “Where Are You Tonight?”, “All Greasy and Salty,” and “This is a Most Horrible War,” are based on excerpts of their long correspondence, which documents everyday life in the 1860s during the war from the perspective of both the war front and the home front. After the war, CPT Ritner returned home to his wife, his family, and his farm in Iowa.
World War I
American poet and New York native Alan Seeger moved to Paris to support his fledgling literary career. He served in World War I in the French Legion, enlisting in 1914 to support his adopted country. Many of Seeger’s works and letters were published posthumously after his death in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme at Belloy-en-Santerre. Seeger’s likeness was later used as the basis for the memorial to the American Volunteers for the French Legion at the Place des États-Unis in Paris. The piece “Rendezvous With Death” is based on one of his poems. For more about Alan Seeger, his service, and his writings, visit the website here.
World War II
Joseph Denov served in Europe during World War II and wrote the letter included in the song “Two Fellows Got Together Tonite,” describing both a waltz being played during down time while he was in camp and a memory of dancing to his wife, Tess.
Dr. George Freedman was a dentist. He spent most of his professional career as a member of the military and served during World War II and the Korean War. After years of serving on military bases, Dr. Freedman practiced dentistry until his retirement. He and his wife, Mary, resided in Georgia. His letter,written during his service in World War II, was to his brother, Maurice, and is shared here in “Now There Will be Stories to Tell.”
Herman Gresik graduated from dental school in 1942 and enlisted in the Army. He married Jean Bemis on June 5, 1943, and was based in Chickasha, OK until he was shipped out to southeastern England in January 1944. He was killed during a bombing raid on July 3,1944 after writing a letter to his wife upon learning the news that his daughter, Mary Victoria, had been born, expressed here in the song “A Baby at Home.” Mary Victoria grew up to attend Loyola University in Chicago for medical school, as her father had done before her for dental school. The song based on his letter honors his family and his memory. He is buried at the American Military Cemetery in Cambridge, England, UK.
Howard T. Harwood of Skokie, IL, served in Italy during World War II. His friend, Irving F. Diamond died during combat on the Anzio Beachhead in Italy. His friend is buried there. Howard sent home in a letter a poem dedicated to the memory of his friend whose death he witnessed, expressed here in the piece “Poem for Irving F. Diamond.” In 2012, Mr. Harwood was honored by the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie as part of an exhibit featuring local veterans.
Irving Koidin served for 3.5 years as an Army medic and Private in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was mainly stationed in New Guinea. He met his future wife, Bea, at a high school dance in Chicago, but shortly after their meeting, he received his draft notice. They courted through daily letters throughout his deployment and, in the one included here in the song “Engagement Letter,” Irving proposes. They were married within days of his return home to Chicago. With no time to send invitations, they invited their guests via pay phones using rolls of dimes.
Hattie Reinauer wrote to her son, Richard Reinauer, who served in the Pacific in World War II. She sent her letter to him when he had enlisted and was getting ready to be sent overseas. The songs “I’ll Live for Your Letters,” and “I’ll Live For Your Letters Reprise,” share her support for her son’s service and hope for his safe return home. Richard carried the letter with him throughout his service during the war as a reminder of home. During the war, he served as a dog trainer with the US Marine Corps War Dog unit, and he was one of the first US troops to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped. When he returned home, he combined his love for animals with a career in media, becoming one of the producers of the original series of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom,” which brought science, wildlife conservation, and the beauty of nature to several generations. “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” returned to television with a brand-new series, “Protecting the Wild,” in 2023 and continues today. For more about what Richard created following his service and his legacy, visit the website here.
Helen Strzelczyk served as a nurse in the Pacific in World War II, and was writing to her brother who was also serving as the war was ending. Her letter, captured in the song “It Won’t Be Long Now,” describes her voyage home from her service and the experience of returning to the US sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge after receiving the news of victory.
Vietnam War
Fred Leo Brown served in the Vietnam War, enlisting in 1967. He wrote home to his parents, especially to his mother, Belva, every day, frequently writing by moonlight while on fire guard. SGT. Brown served several tours of duty and spent over 300 days in the field in combat. After his service, Fred shared his experience by self-publishing his letters and became a Chicago-area veterans’ advocate and Vietnam War educator. Mr. Brown, now retired, lives with his wife Barbara in Indiana. “Vietnam War Song” recalls his experience in combat.
The Gulf War
The Next Generation of Service Members and Veterans
Col. Bill Logel served in Iraq in the Gulf War and was the Chief of Personnel for the 416th Engineer Command of the US Army Reserve in Chicago. Bill wrote his letter to his grandson, Jason, whom he and his wife raised. Inspired by his grandfather’s example, Jason is now a former US Marine who served in Afghanistan. The song, “A Minute Doesn’t Go By,“ honors their service and the next generation of service members and veterans.