Dear Mother Macera, October 17, 1944
This is going to be a difficult letter for me to write, in fact I’m at a loss on how to even begin. First, may I have your permission to call you mother, chiefly because somehow I feel that I know you, after hearing Mike talk so much about you. As we are of the same nationality we often talked of our families he and I. We were very dear and close friends and his going was a shock and left a space in my life that shall never be filled, I shall always miss and think of him. You may not remember me but when we were in Africa, you or someone in your family received a letter from my folks telling you where Mike and I were. Does that refresh your mind any on who I am. I hate to awaken any pain that may be lying dormant in you but this is a promise that he and I made to each other. So I am fulfilling my end of it as he would have if he were here in my place and I were gone. As we are not permitted to tell how those things happen or where, I’m afraid I can’t tell you much. But I can say this much, it happened very suddenly and he suffered no pain at all. Just a couple of days previous to that day, he and I attended mass and received the Holy Sacrament. He was a very good Catholic and attended mass regularly. There is no question in my mind at all that God needed another angel in heaven and called Mike away from this wicked and war torn earth, up to heaven with him. I realize what a blow it must have been to you and yours but please remember Mother Macera that crying or grieving won’t help and I know he didn’t want you to do that, He needs our prayers now and that we can do, faithfully and constantly. Somehow I can then see him, his face beaming, as he smiles down upon us from the great beyond. Always remember that whenever those moods come over you, that you feel you must cry, it will be only causing him grief and pain. He was a grand soldier and I feel that he would want his Mom to be the same and I know somehow that you will be just that. Someday, with Gods will, that I live through this conflict, I will stop to visit you for a few days on my way home, which is in Pittsburgh. Then I will try to answer any question that you feel fit to ask me. Now, I wish that you will convey my regards to Mr. Macera and the rest of the family. Answer if you feel up to it and may God bless you and yours. Hoping and praying that I may see you soon, I remain as always,
Your loyal friend,
Frank C.DLorenzo
