Letters from Norman Smith to Jill, Camilla, Lauren, and Bernie, October 17, 2002

 

FROM THE DESK OF

AIRBORNE

NORMAN L. SMITH

Oct. 17, 2002

Dear Jill,

I am almost overcome as I sit down to write this. You prove that you are a master in your trade. I have always complimented your mastery of humility. What a blessing to share with others.

I am not only proud of you because of your talents but I am amazed at the magnitude of the gift you created for the old soldiers of C. Co.

I have written to all cast members and added "pennies" to their meager wage. I tried to individualize my comment so that when you get together, all will have heard something a bit different from the bag of praise.

Love you for being you and being there for the C - Co Boys

Uncle Norm

FROM THE DESK OF

AIRBORNE

NORMAN L. SMITH

Oct, 17, 2002

Dear Camilla,

You faced the audience, you read the smiles, the response of the audience, and you saw genuine tears flow. Let me add another dimension you could not perceive unless you know history.

1944-1945, late evening hours, living in 12 man tents, straw matresses on wood trunks, a dirt floor, no heat, a single light globe, and if lucky an old radio. From Berlin came the broadcast of Axis Sally - a sultry, sexy voice who filled propaganda with American ballads. All this to stimulate home sickness among the G.I.'s.

Now, add, San Fransisco, the Hotel St. Francis, a tall room near the top, tinkeling glasses, people laughing, the sounds of merriment at night, a ballad singer. Your masterful rendition of "My Funny Valentine" stirred my emotions and found old memories aroused.

One of the C-Co. men, a Texan, one who parachuted behind enemy lines, who was a prisoner of war, said to me

"I dunno how much money it took to get these folks here. I do know they were worth every penny!

Thank you for showing your talents and time. Enclosed, a few more pennys to add to a meager wage.

Gratefully yours.

"The Clerk"

 

FROM THE DESK OF

AIRBORNE

NORMAN L. SMITH

Oct. 17, 2002

Dear Lauren,

I cannot think of any words of praise that I could create or that I heard from the audience at the C-Company reunion that were as heartfelt as human emotion can evoke.

Change is a process, not an event. In the short period of 35" minutes the "Bombshell Babes" led that audience on a roller coaster ride that stimulated the emotions of a long ago era.

Your rendition of "My Mama Done Told Me" was memory provoking. I am 77 about the youngest of the C. Company then. As you sang, as you gestured, I watched you through the tears and youthful memories. Once again the last of the red-hot mamas of my era, one Sophie Tucker among others was before in letting out the Blues!

As one old C-Company man from Texas, one who once parachuted behind enemy lines, one who spent time as a prisoner of war, said,

"I dunno how much it took to get these folks here, but they were worth every penny!"

Enclosed for you are a few more pennies.

Warmest regards.

"The Clerk"

FROM THE DESK OF

AIRBORNE

NORMAN L. SMITH

Oct. 17, 2002

Dear Bernie,

To the man who "tickled the ivories"- you added that ragtime touch of the 1940's that penetrated the memories of all who were your age during the WWII era. In military lingo, you were among the selected few who Scored a direct hit — right on the mark!

I want to re-enforce the remark one C. Co man made. This was a man who parachuted behind enemy lines, was later captured and spent nearly 15 months as a prisoner of war.

In his Texas drawl he said, "I dunno how much money it took them to get these folks here. I do know they were worth every penny!"

Enclosed is another token to add to the meager amount you agreed to, to perform.

Hope you'll share your video with us. Ours did not record