A heartwarming discovery was made at The Salvation Army Family Store in Hannibal, Missouri, when a collection of World War II love letters was found in a recent donation. The letters, written by soldier Chester McMeen to his wife, Alma Bernice Modglin, between 1944 and 1945, will soon be reunited with their son, who resides in Carbondale, Illinois.
The search for the rightful family members of the couple who exchanged the letters began on Nov. 4, led by The Salvation Army. It culminated in a phone call to the couple’s son, who was unaware of the existence of the letters. Megan Duncan, who wrote about the thrift store discovery and the search for the family members, expressed her excitement for the son to read the letters.
According to Duncan, the letters were received by The Salvation Army thrift store in Hannibal earlier this year in a pile of donations, with no information about the donor provided. The thrift store workers recognized the significance of the letters and reached out to find the family members.
Through research and connections with the Jackson County Historical Society, Duncan was able to locate the couple’s son, who was surprised by the news of the letters while he was away in Tennessee. The son, whose identity is currently undisclosed, had a heartwarming conversation with Duncan about the letters and his parents.
The letters reveal the enduring love between Chester and Alma, as well as Chester’s experiences during wartime in the Philippines. They depict Chester’s commitment to Alma and his dreams of a future together, including starting a family after the war. After returning home, Chester and Alma built a life together and were married for nearly 70 years before their passing.
The Salvation Army is making plans to deliver the letters to the couple’s son in person, with the location yet to be determined. Duncan expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the search and encouraged others to be mindful of what they donate, especially if they come across sentimental items like love letters, and to seek out community resources to find the rightful owners.
In conclusion, the discovery of the WWII love letters at a Missouri thrift store has brought a family closer together and shed light on a beautiful love story from the past. Through the efforts of The Salvation Army and Megan Duncan, the letters will soon be in the hands of the couple’s son, connecting him to his parents in a unique and meaningful way.
