Priscilla recounts homefront reactions to reports of the Allied landing in Normandy, France. (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

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424.

June 6, 1944

Dear One,

This is a day that shall not soon be forgotten.  It has a simple name "D-Day", but thinking what it means to us and to the enslaved peoples of Europe one realizes the name really does not matter.

I was awakened this morning a little before seven by the cry of Newsboys in the streets shouting, "Extra!  Extra!  All about the invasion!"  I lay for a moment wondering if this really was the day for which we had been waiting in hope--and in fear.  D. asked if I thought it really was true.  I replied there was only one way to find out, and got up to turn on the radio.  We heard the news then--all that was known at that period.  While we were listening to the tense reports, D suddenly began to shake and sob--she had a horrible, momentary fear that perhaps Bob was in this invasion.  My heart went out to her, and Mother and I got her back into normal condition again.  She was fine in a short time.  I knew exactly how she felt, even though I have thus far been able to show better self control in public--even in the bosom of the family.

Down at the company during the two-hour official lunch periods the radio was turned on into loud speakers both in the lunch room and the auditorium.  I listened for a while after and during lunch.

There was no ringing of bells or blowing of whistles in Milwaukee.  There was no excitement, no jubilation.  Instead everyone read every paper they could lay hands on.  People gathered about radios.  There were no "soap operas" today; no comedians; no regular broadcasts; no commercials.  There was only news, and public prayers at hour intervals all day.  And all evening.  At 9 o'clock President Roosevelt gave a prayer he wrote last night after his "Rome" speech.  It was published in all newspapers so that everyone could join in.  Bob Hope announced at the beginning of his program there would be only music.  He was at an air base an Van Nuys (each Tuesday he broadcasts from some service station) and he said his program would have no jokes--this was no time for such things.  He was remembering that thousands of boys he had entertained in camps were in those 4000 ships in the English Channel--and on the Normandy soil tonight and he asked prayers for them.  Then Frances Langford sang Schubert's Ave Maria, and "Goodnight, Wherever You Are."

Red Skelton was on his farewell program--he will be Pvt. Richard Skelton as of tomorrow morning.  His farewell was a child's prayer in the voice of his "Junior"--the "mean little kid."  Only it was really a child's prayer for God's blessing on the "boys" and their families.  He asked God to bless those who bought black market gasoline, and wouldn't share their cars with those who had none.  He asked blessing on those who sold their defense blonds [sic].  Had I belonged to these "slacker" classes I would have felt mighty cheap, I can tell you.  The pseudo-child's voice was not incongruous--somehow it was quite appropriate.

That is the way it went all day.  Prayers and humns [sic] instead of sob stories, shady jokes, and jazz.  In the last war men thought they could do without God.  In this one man realizes how futile is any attempt at justice and decency without God's blessing.  Today no man was ashamed to get on his knees and pray to God for victory, for peace, for justice, for humility, for grace.

Mother, D. and I went to church tonight.   We hadn't been to a Perpetual Help devotion since Holy Week.  But we thought it fitting and

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A short while ago we heard a broadcast from Sydney--from the description of the "Day" there it seems much like here.  Special prayers, particularly.  We were a little amused at his telling us it was a cold winter day in Sydney--42 degrees!  It is 50 degrees in Milwaukee right now in June.  What would these "down under" people do in Milwaukee in January.  Say on a -10 degree day, with a stiff wind driving the snow from the west?

Your letters # 136 and # 137 came today.  I'll answer them adequately tomorrow, honey.  By the way, you forgot to sign your name to # 136!!

I want to add this:  I dreamed of you last night again.  It seems you were home on furlough--always in my dreams you are home on furlough--(guess what I think about a lot!)  We were alone somewhere--the dream didn't specify where, but that wasn't important.  You made love to me very beautifully and very, very, very thoroughly!!!  And did I go for it?  And how, darling!  And how!!!!!  We tried to make up for two years all at once!!   What a beautiful dream that was, Johnny.  Visit me again in my dreams very soon, honey.  I "go" for you in a very big way--in case you are interested (and I hope you are!)

This is hand written because we've all been listening to the frequent radio bulletins and I can't hear when I type.

I love you, darling, with all my heart.  Forever and a day.

Priscilla

P.S.  I wanted to tell you about the morning Sentinel.  The front page was a map of Europe with the single word "Invasion" in red handwriting across the top.  Page 2 carried three prayers--one by Archbishop Spellman, one by Bishop Tucker, and one by a Jewish rabbi.   Page 3 was a map in large scale of the French invasion coast.

There were no baseball games today--no horse races.  In New York many stores closed and asked their employes [sic] to pray for victory.

Perhaps with man in the correct position of being on his knees before God, the future world will really be a better place in which to live.

I love you, dear.  I never tire of saying it (or of hearing it from you.)

P.

P.P.S.  To show you what type of man my dear (?) boss is:  he called today "exciting" and wrote a check for his income tax, dating it "D-Day, 1944"!!  Do you wonder I dislike the man?  You would think it was a day of celebration to hear him talk.  Fortunately, he is a rare exception.

P.