France, having survived the Normandy Invasion, D-Day:

France July 2nd '44

Downpour of rain -- bombers -- fighters -- mud -- shattered dwellings

-- dead livestock -- uprooted trees -- etc.

France 14 Oct. '44

The order of the day is mud -- mud -- mud -- Thin slippery mud, thick

sticky mud, French mud, German mud -- The rain is continuing unabated

and the channel is pounding at its cliff confines as though it were

possessed of the devil himself.

France Nov. 22 '44

It is still inconceivable to me that you have chosen to share you life

with me...a love which has given me new life, a new goal and a new

approach to heaven.