Christmas Letters (part 2)

Introduction: In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry shares “talking letters” families sent to their loved ones serving overseas. Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, AnceStory Archives, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.

Before WWII, writing letters was the sole form of communication people utilized to send holiday cheer to their loved ones away from home serving in the armed forces. However, a new mode of communicating became a big hit from World War II through the 1970s: soldiers separated from their families could send and receive “Letters on a Record.”

These “Talking Letters” were produced in a recording booth, printed on paper and wax records. Some of these recordings were reprinted in local newspapers. Today I share some warm Christmas greetings sent to soldiers that appeared in newspapers at that time.

To start, I found an example on a history site.

Listen at: “A Voice from the Past – WWII Letter on a Record Digitized!”

This newspaper article is about talking letters used during the Korean War.

The top photo caption in this article reads:

“Hi, Honey,” were the first words Sgt. Chester A. Beisnier of Camp Kilmer, N.J., heard from [his] wife in Watertown, Wisc. He listens to news of 7-month-old Chuckie’s hospital visit. He smiles fondly hearing [the] voice of Karen, 4.

The second photo caption in this article reads:

Talking letter to Joseph [Hargadon], one of her four sons and a daughter, all of whom are in service, is recorded by Mrs. James Hargadon, of Morgan, N.J. She wipes her eyes when she closes lovingly with, “God bless you.”

This next article describes how volunteers were “serving double time at Red Cross headquarters to make Christmas brighter for many.”

This article reports:

For the third consecutive year, “talking letters” on 4-minute discs are being recorded at Red Cross from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. These records are made free of charge for families to send to their servicemen who will not be home for Christmas and for servicemen stationed near Dallas to send home, also.

This article included the following photo.

This photo caption reads:

“Merry Christmas, Butch,” says Colleen Bennett, 5, as she makes a Red Cross “talking letter” to her half-brother, Pvt. Roy Beck, stationed in Germany. Mrs. John Campbell, social welfare aide, makes the recording as Mrs. Herman Wichman, motor service chairman, holds a picture of Private Beck.

This next article explains how a little baby helped make a talking letter for his overseas dad.

This article reports:

Mrs. Schafer had made one Christmas recorded letter to her husband, David Schafer stationed overseas, with her son Rickey, but a few days later the stork brought another surprise that required a second one to be made including the new bundle of joy: eight-pound baby boy Randy.

The next article opens with this paragraph:

The sound of Christmas for servicemen away from home will be merry and heartwarming for those whose families make use of a special project of the Red Cross.

This photo caption reads:

Mrs. Ronnie V. Armstrong, left, records a Christmas Talking Letter to send her husband, a Pfc. in the Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Assisting is Mrs. Lewis Waters, Red Cross volunteer technician.

In 1963 the Dallas Red Cross United Fund affiliate offered the talking letter service at no cost. Mrs. Lewis Waters was the chairperson and each serviceman would receive an eight-minute voice message from their family, sweetheart, or friends.

This photo caption reads:

Six-year-old Cathey Amlong records a Christmas message to her father, Capt. James N[eil] Amlong [born to George Joseph Amlong and Estelle Smaczniak], with the army in Vietnam. Red Cross volunteer Mrs. Boyce Austin helps. Cathey shared the message with her mother [born Anna Pearl Nowen], brother [James Dale Amlong], and three sisters [Anna Pearl, Deborah Anne, and Michele]. They live at 6281 Martel.

In 1967 you could purchase a “Take a Letter” recording unit for your own personal use for $69.95 ($644.36 today).

The photo caption explains:

A new development for personal communication is a miniaturized “talking letter” writer. The unit both records and plays back on a loop tape cartridge half the size of a packet of cigarettes that you can mail in an ordinary envelope for 10¢ first-class postage. The receiver can keep it as a permanent record or erase and re-use it as a return letter.

Probably the most memorable recorded letter came from 6-year-old Becky Lamb to Santa Claus asking him to bring her big brother Tommy home for Christmas. However, he died in Vietnam.

Becky’s narration included how Tommy used to play one of President John F. Kennedy’s speeches, an inspiration to fight for the country. She recalled the day that the bad news arrived from the postman, Mr. Dewey, and it made her parents cry.

Becky wanted a miracle from Santa to just bring Tommy back!

The song did cause controversy because it sent a disturbing message; however, little Becky’s recording won over the attention and hearts of many.

One quote from a listener: “I was so moved by it that I cried. It was the most moving record I had ever heard. I feel it is a record that everyone should hear and think about.”

I listened to the recording on YouTube, courtesy of the Vietnam War Song Project, and it made me cry! Listen for yourself: Becky Lamb – Little Becky’s Christmas Wish

Becky’s father Bill Lamb hosted a radio program in Flint, Michigan, on the station WKMF from 1960 to 1984, where Becky occasionally made an appearance.

Merry Christmas!

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Note on the header image: a “Talking Letter” from Eugene Daly during WWII, February 1945. Courtesy of Portraits of War.