The mail finally caught up with them in a captured German town. Private Leo Tanaka grabbed his letter, hands trembling—his mother's handwriting.
"My dearest son,
We are well. The camp is crowded but we have food. Your father works in the mess hall. I pray for you every night.
Come home safe. We are so proud of you."
Leo read it three times, memorizing every word. His parents were behind barbed wire in America while he bled for America. But they were alive. That was enough.
He tucked the letter over his heart and picked up his rifle.
His friend Mike appeared. "Good news?"