Eddie Rickenbacker
New York, NY, ca. 1941-1946
5 Eddie Rickenbacker War Time TLS "hate was instilled in the hearts and minds of millions"
Archive

A collection of five typed Christmas letters signed by Eddie Rickenbacker, with excellent content. New York, dated 1941 to 1946. All are signed "Eddie" and are addressed to Cory Adams of the New York World-Telegram and Sun. In his letters, Rickenbacker shares his views on America's entry into the Second World War and the sacrifice of those serving. All measure 7.25" x 10.5". All have light wear, toning, and minor soiling but are boldly signed. Overall, very good. Please view photographs for further condition information.

Highlights from each letter:
Christmas, 1941: "The year of 1941 has been a memorable one for most of us. It has tried the truest and staunchest hearts of men and women throughout the world?"

Christmas, 1942: "?our Nation has passed another milestone with its first year of all-out war, with consequence of which most of us are not aware. In entering the second year of global war, we find our soldiers, sailors and aviators in all parts of the world upholding the traditions that have made this Nation great. Despite the suffering and misery to be endured, I am sure that the New Year will be ushered in with a ray of hope and light of victory ahead?"

Christmas, 1944: "Another year is fading into the dim beyond with our fighting men and women scattered throughout the world - fighting, bleeding and dying that you and I again may enjoy Christmas on the Home Front in this land of the free and the brave. Let us with reverence partake of this Holiday Season with the realization that battles on the far-flung war fronts cannot be won without our contributing our share on the Home Front?"

Christmas, 1945: "?'Thank God the war is over and that peace reigns again.' Dictators and the peoples of the world at large have been forced to realize that free men fight better because they know the value of the things for which they are fighting?Having helped to win the war and laid down our arms, we here at home have even a greater battle ahead of us - the battle of preserving those rights, liberties and freedoms for which millions fought, suffered and made the supreme sacrifice?"

Christmas, 1946: "For many years past, including a few years prior to and during World War II, the main objective of our leadership - Government and otherwise, as well as propaganda artists - was to teach the American people - men, women, and children - how to hate the Germans and the Japs?On V-E day and finally on V-J day, the guns were silenced on the battlefields of the world. The dead were buried, and the maimed and sick were brought back home - some minus legs, others minus arms, and some even blind?All of this was a signal for Peace, Love and Good Will toward men, but since the hate was instilled in the hearts and minds of millions, and there were no more Germans and Japs to hate, we started to hate our Allies and to hate ourselves?Switching the strife from the battlefields of foreign lands to the battle fields on the home front, is bringing about disorganization, industrial strife, misery and, if continued, the one and only end - poverty. Let us then take inventory of ourselves and our pet hates as we approach the Holiday Season, with the hope that we may again recapture our respect and admiration for our fellow men, eliminate the hates from our hearts and minds, and proceed with the teachings of Christ, so that once again we may enjoy the Peace and Tranquility of the laws and liberties of this great land of ours? "

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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7.25" x 10.5"