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| Mrs. Henrietta Reed corresponded with many of the crew members who survived the ditching, including my Grandad. The pride she felt for her son extended to all those who served with him in April 1944 and all the men who served their country in any capacity. Even in her grief over the loss of her son, she still had the strength to encourage those who lived on. I believe that her letters were in part responsible for helping my Grandad come to terms with the loss of his friends and the responsibility he felt for it. I share her first letter to my Grandfather with you all as it touched my heart and expresses some of the feelings I have for all who served in the war effort. - Melinda Staley |
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| September 28, 1944 Dear Lieutenant Locke, It was very kind indeed of you to write, and we are deeply grateful, especially knowing it was a difficult thing to do. We have known for some time that there was a very strong chance that Ken did not survive. The war department kept saying �missing�, but we received a letter from a friend of Ken�s some time ago which said otherwise. In that way we have lived with this possibility for some time, so that what you wrote did not have the element of surprise. I am very sorry indeed to note your address and regret my having pestered you. To be truthful, though, I am very glad indeed to have the facts. So many things about the events of April 29th kept worrying us. There is a kind of relief, even though very sad, in knowing the facts. I hope so very much that you and the other survivors do not feel too badly about it all. Which is much easier said than done. And I hope, too, most sincerely that you all recover from your physical injuries. It was sweet of you to add what you did about �Kayo.� We treasure your dear words. The way we try to make ourselves think is that since it is so, there are many good things about it. Ken was with friends he admired and respected. All of you were, and some still are, doing what you wanted to do in regard to the war. And you were doing it very well indeed, so that folks and your country are immensely proud of you. Those who went away, went with dignity and honor in the company of good friends of the very finest type. Their precious adventures had been with friends they were proud to know. And I have a feeling that they are still having grand times,- with everything ideal. I have heard too from Lt. John Hortenstine. I sent the same questions to him, but I believe he did not receive them, as he does not mention them,- which is just as well. He just wrote a regular letter, and at the end spoke kindly of Ken, as you did. What he says is practically the same as what you write. Our minds are now at rest. We picture the North Sea as the grave of Ken and of Harold and John. Of what was mortal. But not of the boys themselves. That glory is beyond us now. It is over now, and none of the five want us to be sad, I feel very sure. Being only human and not able to know and understand, we can only hope and believe, and do the best we can. And that�s all we�re supposed to do, ever. I am very, very grateful Ken got to know you all. And I�m happy too that I know you a little. I�m sending you a snapshot of �Kayo� taken here at home when was on leave. It was on his 23rd birthday, May 21, 1943. I think of the twelve of you almost always,- my very best wishes. Sincerely yours, Henrietta A. Reed, (Kayo�s mother) |
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