Letters Home

Bruce and Margaret finally tie the knot and we read the wedding announcement from the Ledger, as well as what Bruce's brother Roger thinks of the marriage. We also read a little bit about Bruce's homecoming to Lowell and his next assignment in Miami.

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

This is it for Bruce's time in Thurleigh. In this episode, we read about Bruce's final missions and letters he sent while waiting to go home to Lowell!

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

This is "the day" Bruce and his squadron have been waiting for-- D-Day. June 6, 1944. We read Bruce's letter that describes his experience in the invasion and we learn more about what exactly happened on that day.

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

We take a brief detour from Bruce's story to talk more about his cousin Bill Lalley, who was also a pilot shot down on his very first mission. Bill spent a year on the run with the resistance and in a prison camp before being liberated and returning to west Michigan. We read excerpts from Bill's memoir "365 Days: A World War 2 Memoir" to learn about his harrowing year. We also welcome a guest, Bill's niece, Annette Lalley Ritzema.

Orignal music by Roger MacNaughton.

Featuring special guest Annette Lalley Ritzema

In this episode, we learn more about how everyone is preparing for D-Day, including people back home. We hear some family updates about Bruce’s brother Roger heading in the army and Bruce's cousin Bill going missing in action after a mission. Bruce also asks his parents what they really think of his future wife and makes plans to get married when he returns.

Original music by Roger MacNaughton

In May 1944, Bruce wrote an account of a hypothetical mission that was published on the front page of the Lowell Ledger. We read this novelization of a mission in this episode, as well as get an update on his front teeth and our mysterious rebus puzzle.

Help us solve the rebus puzzle letter on the Lowell Historical Museum website, our Instagram (@LettersHomeLowell), and our YouTube.

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

In this episode, we learn about Bruce’s new ship, he has the chance to visit with some family members, and we pose a puzzle to our listeners. See the rebus puzzle on the Lowell Historical Museum website, our Instagram @lettershomelowell, and our YouTube video. Comment with your solutions and help us out!

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

This episode is all about food. Bruce reveals how he gets fresh eggs from local farmers, the addition of an ice cream bar on the base, and his candy deliveries from his family. We also read about a heavy bombing day for the Allies and we learn Bruce’s “toothy secret.”

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

In this episode, we read the letter that Bruce wrote from his plane that was published in the Ledger. We also hear about preparations for D-Day and learn something new about a very important artifact.

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

In February 1944, Bruce wrote about raids in London during the "Baby Blitz" and flew a mission to bomb German factories as part of an Allied campaign called "Big Week" to prepare for the invasion. We read about Bruce’s time at the Ye Horse and Jockey, and make guesses about how and when Bruce earned his Distinguished Flying Cross medal. Excuse the static--we're a small operation!

Original music by Roger MacNaughton.