The first time that I read any of my father’s army journals was in about 1988. One of my sisters, Pat, sent me a copy of a segment of the journal.  Dad kept a record that began the day he enlisted and ended on his journey home traveling on the Great Northern Railway.  Pat copied off the period of time he spent as a POW in Romania.     She sent it along with a very thoughtful Christmas package. She sent cookies and goodies, and a little fake tree to me – trying to send me Christmas.  (Thanks Pat) At the time I was living in the women’s dormitory at a Southern Baptist Seminary in Mill Valley, California.  How I found myself there is a long story in itself .

Most of the other students were gone for Christmas break.  The internationals were still there and this year I remained.  There was a sweet and kind retired couple that was doing volunteer work as house parents for the dorm. They invited me to lunch.I brought with me the POW section of the journal that my sister had copied off and sent.

My father died when I was 14. He died suddenly. His loss was devastating to me. I screamed and cried and pled that it was a mistake. My mother in her wisdom let me. He died a few days before Christmas in 1964. His loss signaled irrevocable changes in my life, in our family, and in how I experienced life and death for many years.

There was always an emptiness in my heart after Dad had died. I had needed more of his love and guidance. I did not know what I missed but I felt the loss. I needed more of my father. I felt the loss and could not explain it and found the world hostile to my grief. He departed suddenly and there was a lot that I never learned about him.

I sat in the quiet  seminary dorm, emptied of students by the holiday, and read the words my father had written. He spoke to me through the years about his experiences as a POW, his faith in God, his belief that he would return to his life after the war.  I read about the men putting together worship services.  I read with wonder, amazement and awe.

Bill and Mary invited me to lunch and after eating our tuna salad sandwiches  I pulled out the journal and began reading parts of it—mostly the Sunday’s -which I place in bold here.

LAGARUI DE PRIZONIERI NO 13
40 ROUMANIAN RED CROSS
BUCHAREST, ROUMANIA
Prisoner of war post.

April 5, 1944-Wednesday
Was shot down between 1518 and 1538, was captured immediately, was kept at a small town west of Bucharest till around six when we were taken into Gychuresti, was interviewed by a General and placed in a small cell bout one in the morning.

April 6, 1944
After spending the night in a cell that was not large enough for all four of us to lay down in at a time we were taken to a garage where several other Americans were. About 1500 we were fed for the first time and we were sure were hungry. About midnight we were taken to an army garrison, and got to bed about two. It was the first time I had been to sleep.

April 7, 1944 -Friday
The beds are poor a straw mattress, a rag for a sheet and one blanket. It’s cold and we slept with all our clothes on. The food is poor mostly bread and soup, we only eat twice a day. The water mains are out and they just bring us enough water to drink.

April 8, 1944 Saturday
Had an air raid alert last night but they didn’t come here. There is twenty of us in a room that is just large enough for 20 beds, 2 high and a table. We just stay our beds.

April 9, 1944 Sunday
I had m New Testament with me and spend most of the time reading it. The food is poor and we don’t get much of it. Most of us have been able to wash our face and hands.

April 10, 1944 Monday
I was interrogated today. I was the first one they took. Was taken to another room till night then they put us all together again.

April 11 1944 Tuesday
They moved us into a larger room where we can move around a little but it is a lot colder and damp.

April 12 1944 –Wednesday
They started bringing us tea and a slice of bread for breakfast. The rest of the food is still bad. I had a sheep’s eye in my soup at noon.

April 13, 1944 Thursday
They brought us enough water to wash our hands and face with this morning.

April 14, 1944 Friday
Same old food and still no lights or water, we did get a deck of cards today.

April 15, 1944 – Saturday
The boys were over and dropped us some eggs, they all fell north of us but I still don’t like it here in town.

April 16, 1944 – Sunday
The boys were over Romania but didn’t hit here. We got to set out of doors for a while today.

April l7, 1944 Monday
Just the same, played cards for a while and read some in the New Testament.

April 18, 1944 – Tuesday
Had an alert today, guess the boys like Romania.

April 19, 1944 Wednesday
The Red Cross was here today and we got to send a card home. They brought us each a toothbrush, a towel, a nightshirt, and several razors and a few blades and a tube of toothpaste apiece. We got enough water every day how so we can wash our face and hands and now we can shave.

April 20, 1944 Thursday
We manage to get outside every afternoon now and the time is going by fast.

April 21, 1944 Friday
Had another visit today, they seem to like this town. We just hope they keep hitting on the other side of town and never come over here. Every thing else is just the same, Lights but no water.

April 22, 1944 Saturday
The Romanian army has a cont here and we manage to buy a few things from it. I have been exchanging American dollars for 300 lire.

April 23, 1944 Sunday
Just a quiet day, would give anything for a little news. Red Cross comes again today.

April 24, 1944 Monday
The night boys were in the country last night and the boys hit the R.R.Y. again today will be ore of us tomorrow.

April 25, 1944 Tuesday
The food is a little better and things are a little cleaner, just laid around and read and played cards.

April 26, 1944 Wednesday
The King of Romania was here to see us today and promised to see if he could get us moved. We get to send quite a bit of time outside each day and the time goes by faster.

April 27, 1944 – Thursday
They have fixed up a mess hall here and we march over and eat there at noon and at night. It is much better and the food is better.

April 28, 1944 Friday
Spent all day carving out a chess set and it turned out all right.

April 29, 1944 Saturday
All quiet and nothing doing today.

April 30, 1944 Sunday
The same old story. The food is not any better and still tastes the same. We have water now, and can wash our clothes.

May 1, 1944 Monday
Nothing new today. The bed bugs are just as bad and the lice are beginning to come out now that the weather is warming up.

May 2, 1944 Tuesday
They promised us a bath but we didn’t get it today. The food is a little better, still mostly lambs heads.

May 3, 1944 Wednesday
Still getting things from the canteen. We manage to get enough cigarettes and some candy.

May 4, 1944 Thursday
The boys were over last night and believe me, I hope they never come back, they dropped plenty close. They did give us a bath today for the first time.

May 5, 1944 Friday
Had an alert this morning, but we were very thankful that they didn’t come here.

May 6, 1944 Saturday
Had an alert last night and another today, everyone is nervous and restless.

May 7, 1944 Sunday
The boys were over last night and believe me it was rough, one bomb hit right outside in the street and done a lot of damage, but no one was hurt. The big boys were over again today and some hit the R.R.Y. No bombs hit close to me but one hit the hospital where some of our boys are. Don’t think some of the boys could stand many more days like this.

May 8, 1944 Monday
The boys were over again last night and it looked like our garrison was the target. One bomb hit right in the middle of the street and several more close by. It was plenty rough and I sure hope I never have to go through another night like it.

They moved us today and gave us a bath and searched us. They took my knife, razor and notebook, everything I have wrote to date is from memory. They also took my lighter but I put up a fight and got it back.

We are in a schoolhouse in the center of Bucharest. We have an air raid shelter in the basement. The place is cleaner but not near as much room.

May 9, 1944 Tuesday
We had Russian prisoners here that clean up and cook for us. The food is about the same but should be cleaner.

May 10, 1944 Wednesday
They brought in some boys from the aid of the 6th. The only news we get is from the new boys.

May 11, 1944 Thursday
Had an alert last night and they let us go down to the mess hall for an air raid shelter. They let us outdoors for a while today.

May 12, 1944 Friday
Just laid around and played chess.

May 13, 1944, Saturday
Laid around played a few games of chess and read the New Testament

May 14, 1944 Sunday
Mother’s day today and here we set. No news.

May 15, 1944 Monday
Not a thing new, have a headache and the Romanian GI’s

May 16, 1944 Tuesday
Heard that the second front started so fore it is still a rumor. Don’t feel to good. The food is not too good either.

May 17, 1944 Wednesday
Still feeling bum, 2nd front still a rumor.

May 18, 1944 Thursday
Had an alert this morning and the Red Cross came in the afternoon. Still feeling bum.

May 19, 1944 Friday
The second front hasn’t started. Am feeling a little better.

May 20, 1944 Saturday
Feeling better, that’s all.

May 21, 1944 Sunday
Feeling good, was a nice day and I spent a lot of time outside.

May 22, 1944 Monday
Same old story the food is a little better.

May 23, 1944 Tuesday
Feeling restless today, sure wish I was out of here.

May 24, 1944 Wednesday
Another day, am nervous and restless, nothing much to do but play chess, don’t have many decks of cards and they are always busy.

May 25. 1944, Thursday
Had an alert today but they didn’t come here. They gave us 2000 lei in chits but have nothing to buy in the P.X.

May 26, 1944 Friday
Nothing to be said.

May 27, 1944 Saturday
Some of the boys got caught trying to get out. They spent the day counting us.

May 28, 1944 Sunday
Spent the day laying around and played a couple of games of chess.

May 29, 1944 Monday
Just the same old story am feeling plenty good,

May 30, 1944 Tuesday
Lots of rumors but no news.

May 31, 1944 Wednesday
The boys were in the neighborhood again today. They hit Polisti and Brasov.

June 1, 1944 Thursday
Have been here 57 days, the food has improved a lot and conditions are a lot better.

June 2, 1944 Friday
No cigarettes to be had and most of us are broke.

June 3, 1944 Saturday
Had an alert last night but it is quiet today. Was issued 1000 leis.

June 4, 1944 Sunday
Had evening Protestant services for the first time here. There was about 30 boys there and there seems to be plenty interested. Am not much of a preacher.

June 5, 1944 Monday
Everything about the same lots of rumors but no news.

June 6, 1944 Tuesday
Heard that the second front had started in France this morning. It sounds good if it is only true. Had an alert this morning. The boys hit Polisti, Brasov and Coaiova.

June 7, 1944 Wednesday
The invasion started yesterday, everything else is about the same but we all feel better, maybe we will get out of here before too long.

June 8, 1944 Thursday
All quiet and no news.

June 9, 1944 Friday
Got 100 Lei today. There is a rumor out that they invaded France.

June 10, 1944, Saturday
Had an alert this morning laid around the rest of the day. Everything is the same.

June 11, 1944 Sunday
Had another alert t this morning at 0800, played bridge most all day. Held Protestant services.

June 12, 1944 Monday
An alarm woke us up at 0200, laid around the food isn’t getting any better.

June 13, 1944 Tuesday
A very quiet day just lay around.

June 14, 1944 Wednesday
Another quiet day, not even many rumors.

June 15, 1944 Thursday
Received 2000 Lei. Stood in line for canteen most of the day.

June 16, 1944 Friday
They cut our bread ration in half today and we have to pay tax on everything we buy in the P.X. The news is scarce.

June 17, 1944 Saturday
Nothing to do but play chess and cards.

June 18, 1944 Sunday
Had church services again today, had over a hundred there and it was really O.K.

June 19, 1944 Monday
Big day the Swiss Legation and Red Cross were here today, no news.

June 20, 1944 Tuesday
An alarm at 11:05 hope they don’t come here, as it is overcast, poor day for us if the heavies come here. All alert at 1130, false alarm. It a big relieve when that long alarm rings for the all clear.

June 21, 1944 Wednesday
The boys put on a show here last night. “ Prison Odditties”. It was very good for what we have to do with.

June 22, 1944 Thursday
One year ago today this is a hell of a place to be today. Know I will be home next year. Have been thinking a lot today and am restless and nervous. Got 2 shots this morning to test for diphtheria and small pox.

June 23, 1944 Friday
Had an alert this morning for a couple hours. They hit close

June 24, 1944 Saturday
Alert same as yesterday lasted a couple hours.

June 25, 1944 Sunday
Had church services again, over 170. Had nice services, still need more songs.

June 26, 1944 Monday
Very quiet, The Red Cross brought a lot more books and 40 Bibles things are looking up.

June 27, 1944 Tuesday
Nothing doing all day played cards and chess.

June 28, 1944 Wednesday
1st alarm 0915 2nd 0935 1st bombs 1000 last 1030 RRY and some close, everyone is nervous and quiet. Held first Bible class.

June 29, 1944 Thursday
1st alarm 0145 2nd 0200 all clear 0245
All quiet, had second Bible class

June 30,m 1944 Friday
Nothing doing today. Spent most all day reading the Bible, haven’t heard any news.

July 1, 1944 Saturday
They started moving the enlisted men from here back to the prison and the officers up here they said we would get paid some tomorrow.

July 2, 1944 Sunday
Am sure nervous and restless this morning, hope something breaks for the better soon. Had services at 1700 no news.

July 3, 1944 Monday
1st alarm 0055 2nd 0110
1st bombs, 0128 last 0138
Didn’t hit a case in northwest side of town RY

1st alarm 115 2nd 1138
No rest a little cloudy
1st bombs 1206 last 1230 all clear 1305, A couple nice fires going one still brining at 10PM. Am on the rock again-sure feeling bum.

July 4, 1944 Tuesday
1st alarm 0938 2 d 0950 all clear 1120
Still feeling bum but thin k I will be feeling better tomorrow, laid in bed all day.

July 5, 1944 Wednesday
Haven’t been able to sleep for a couple days. Got a bad stomach and my legs ache. No news or anything going on.

July 6, 1944 Thursday
Feeling better this morning heard some good news and the moral is good today. Had Bible class after supper. One of the new boys as studied to be a minister and is going to help us with our services.

June 7, 1944 Friday
Nothing new and done nothing today.

July 8, 1944 Saturday
Was cool and cloudy today, rained for a while in the morning. Read and played cards. Food just about the same except we had eggs for breakfast.

July 9, 1944 Sunday
1st alarm 0905 2nd 0929 all clear 1105. Had church services at 1115. Had the largest crowed yet and the best services. Lt Rittenhouse had the services and I think we will have him in charge most of the time.

As I read the selected passages this middle aged couple listened and then I read the name Lt Rittenhouse. Suddenly Bill startled said: “WHO?” and I repeated the name. He said: “let me see it”. He looked at the copied journal and then left the room . He returned with a cassette which he inserted into the player and as he pressed PLAY I heard the voice of Lt. Rittenhouse recounting his time in Romania.

Think of it as you will but some strange journey had led me to be there that Christmas break with a copy of my dad’s POW journal’s in my hand. This couple had invited me to lunch and were the first people I ever shared the journal with. I picked only a few passages to read and landed on the name of Lt Rittenhouse. Bill had  heard him speak and had his cassette. This began a journey that has allowed me to know not just my father more but also others who fought, and survived, and came back to serve and love. I will forever be amazed.