DEAREST WIFE AND GIRLS provides a glimpse into the lives of the author's parents during World War II. The book is based on 124 love letters Pvt. Cisco sent to his wife, Mary Opal, from the time of his induction in August, 1944 and, while he served in Europe through 1945 in Gen. Patton's Third Army, the 11th Armored Division, 41st Cavalry. The letters reveal great insight into the young couple's lives during this difficult time for them and the U.S. The power of hope, faith and humor sustained Pvt. Cisco during the long months of combat and being away from his family. His letters always encouraged his wife to be positive and have faith that he would return safely to her and the "little girls." It is evident from the letters that he enjoyed hearing about news at home and what his family and friends were doing. The author provides interesting comments about what her mother, sister and she were doing back in Ohio while Pvt. Cisco was three thousand miles away, personally entangled in a world conflict. The author reveals some of the day combat command movements of the 11th Division through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Austria, Czechoslovakia and finally Germany, including liberating many concentration camps. After the war ended in Germany the letters reveal Pvt. Cisco's concerns about being redeployed to the war in the Pacific to defeat Japan and when he might be discharged from the military and return home. Also, to better understand references made in the letters, the author provides historical information on the battles occurring on the various war fronts, on the leaders and govenments of many countries and military personalities involved in this global crisis. The book contains a collection of the "THUNDERBOLT WAR NEWS" taken from the "11TH THUNDERBOLT PRESS." The news clippings are eye witness reports written by war correspondents imbedded with the 11th Division during the war. Also, there are actual "AFTER ACTION G-2 REPORTS" reporting intelligence information during combat and after the battles. But most importantly, this is a love story expressed in the soldier's letters to his wife. Through the letters the reader can feel Pvt. Cisco's emotions, anxieties, the longing for his wife and the home sickness he felt, missing his wife and young daughters, and the life he had known in America before he was drafted in the military to serve his country.
About the Author: Connie Cisco Cassie is the daughter of Owen and Mary Opal Cisco. She was three years old when her father was drafted into the military in 1944. When her mother passed away in 2011 Connie found the 124 love letters her father wrote to his wife during WWII. The book was written to share these letters with her siblings and their families, other relatives and friends. Anyone interested in those war years will enjoy the very personal acount of that time and will gain insight into what was happening based on the love letters. In 1963 Connie graduated from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. After teaching school for several years she joined her husband's investment and real estate firm.