The Silver King's War

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This episode concludes Stanley's letters, "Dearest Ones," from his tour of duty in Europe.  It's September 1945 (and September 2022 in Portland, Oregon).  The Silver King, writing his last letters from the European Theater of Operations, before the ride home, is ready for the warm embrace of his family in the states. He's moved to the French port city, Le Harve, and a tent city known as Lucky Strike. Again, he hasn't written home in thirty days. Now he writes four pages as chaos continues and the men move for unknown reasons. It's been two months since his last letter from Birmingham. The latest return news for The Silver King is shipment to Antwerp for the ocean ride home. 

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This episode of Stanley's letters, "Dearest Ones," is from Europe in August 1945.  The Silver King is waiting for confirmation that he's going home. He hasn't written to his family in a month. He hoped to be in the States by now. The usual 6-8 days of transition waiting to travel is now over four weeks.  Stanley writes as the world anticipates peace in the Pacific theater.  He'll reach 85 points as the days become months.

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This episode is Part Two of Stanley's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in July 1945.  The Silver King is full of good news. The mail & food deliveries continue, his cap & ties have arrived, and he's packing for home. Stanley has new orders for shipment to a depot near Paris. There he will await word on which ship he'll ride.  As Stanley writes..."It's good night for the last time from France."

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This episode is Part One of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in July 1945.  The King reports on food arrivals, better mail, and dreams of reaching home for fall football games. Stanley's moving up the departure list but the snafus remain steady as Air Corps warriors await their return tickets. Stanley's new favorite refuge, the Officers's Club, comforts his boredom.

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This episode is Part Three of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in June 1945.  Stanley shares good news: the Officers' Club is open.  It's a true relief from his boredom with drinks and cards. The mail is better and he's wistful about a long-ago Birmingham love, Jane. He's awaiting melba toast & pickles as word arrives about a possible departure for home.  He's tenth on the points list as nine officers prepare to leave A-72.

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This episode is Part Two of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in June 1945.  Good news: the mail snafu has been resolved.  Stanley is happy and relieved with words and packages from home. The food is flowing as he continues his gratitude and request more pickles. The 597th Bomber Squadron flew a formation for brass hats, including Ike and Zhukov, with The King navigating a box lead. The last time they flew over Frankfurt the flak was furious and enemy fighter planes chased them.

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This episode is Part One of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in June 1945.  The European Theater of Operations war ended in early May.  Stanley and his guys are waiting for word on what's next for their unit.  The Pacific War continues and Air Corps fliers will rotate home before reassignment, possibly to the Asian front. To battle the boredom, Stanley and his guys make an unauthorized trip to Paris. They love the cafe society life and Lido night club. The King, lonely, dreams of Ida's hot biscuits.

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This episode is Part Four of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in May 1945. Stanley and his guys have a 3-day pass as they travel to Brussels for their first real post-war celebration.  The King decides that Brussels is more his style than Paris. It's bustling, vibrant and filled with pretty girls. After the bright lights, Stanley is back in France, bored and craving dill pickles.

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This episode is Part Three of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in May 1945.  The King is effusive about a recent fruitcake delivery. Stanley and his guys, driving a former Wermacht car, have been touring Germany's Ruhr Valley  and the Holland countryside.  Best of all, he has Festi's letter, reporting that his guys are alive. Next is a three-day pass for Brussels.  And all the good news is tempered by the long wait to get home.

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This episode is Part Two of the Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Europe in May 1945.  Hitler is dead.  The European Theater of Operations is quiet.  The official German surrender is May 8th.  Stanley and his guys are quietly relieved. They get tight to celebrate. There will be news of Festi and Fomby.  And, as the King wonders about his future, he admonishes his mother for the March-April 1945 issue of Serviceman, the congregation's newsletter about its warriors. The Silver King is the featured, page-one story.

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