Without my father’s enduring attachment to Lone Mountain and all the stories he always told me and my sisters, Beth and Martha, this website would not exist. That is why I am so happy to share his “war letters” here. They reveal a lot of history, for sure, but they also reveal the man he was. His love of storytelling, his humor, his devotion to his family, his real interest in his friends. His love of his country. His adoration of his mother.
Daddy’s letters will be posted under “Roger Payne’s WWII Letters” in chronological order, from the first letter he wrote to the last. They will include, not only transcriptions of all 167 letters, but the originals, the envelopes, and explanatory notes when that is helpful. I will also integrate some short notes to show what was happening to Roger between his letters – both where he is and back home at Lone Mountain.
It has been quite the journey for me to read, research, and elaborate on each of Daddy’s letters. I hope you will take the journey too.
~ Amy Payne Potts
