Letter from Joseph Langland to Judith G. Wood Langland
Description:
Paperwork and the completion of training for some of his men impresses on him "how final some of the things we now do are." The men have shipped out mostly to the Aleutians; others in North Africa. Tunisian theatre is nearing a conclusion and Rommel will be driven out, "Then, inevitably, we must invade the continent. Never in history will there be assembled armies and armadas and planes and shore guns and antiaircraft like there is bound to be over the Mediterranean this summer..." Has only held back from requesting combat service because of Judy. Asked why he would not make the military a career: "I would rather be a man among farmers than a colonel in any man's army. Indeed, on my own farm I will be king, while any colonel is nothing more than a poppet dancing to some general's tune... I do not ask much of war, but I demand a full and natural life when it is over."
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