Camp Letters: 1942-1945Robert V. Nightingale Bruno Stiller was imprisoned shortly after the United States entered World War Two. He had left his parents' home in Germany after the last war to start a new life. For the three years while he was in the American enemy interment camps, his wife Alice wrote him almost daily. Alice ran the family restaurant and took care of their growing family. This is the story of Alice's love and determination. These letters paint a picture of daily life and tell a story that most Americans have never heard. Thousands of resident Germans and their families were kept in internment camps, sometimes for the duration of the war. Homes, cars, and businesses were taken. It was nearly impossible to appeal the false accusation that sent someone to a prison camp. Worse still is the effect on the family left behind. This story is timely. The issues of immigration and the treatment of civilians in a time of war are still in today's headlines. |
Contents
1 Introduction | 1 |
2 Camp McCoy | 5 |
3 Camp Forrest | 15 |
4 Esther | 33 |
5 Baby Bruno | 79 |
6 New Years 1943 | 101 |
7 Fort Abraham Lincoln | 151 |
8 Crystal City | 203 |
9 Back To Bismarck | 219 |
10 Victory | 273 |
11 Epilogue | 279 |
Common terms and phrases
1943 Dearest Bruno Alice & kids Alice and kids alright anyway asked baby beer bill birthday bought Camp Forrest Chicago Christmas cold concertina Daddy Dear Bruno Deerfield Dena Esther everything feel Friday Fritz Busch gave getting girl glad Green Duck guess Heinie Highland Park hope husband keep Kessro kisses Kooler Keg last night last nite Libertyville liquor little Bruno little Roy look Lots of love Love & kisses love and kisses Monday nice Osborne paid picture pretty pump rain remember Saturday says hello sent Sept Shirley slot machine snow soon Stiller Sunday suppose sure telegram tell Tenn things Thurs told tomorrow took United States Attorney waiting Waukegan weather week wife worry write yesterday