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Charles and Ardith Westie with baby Judy, circa 1942 (The quotation was added years later by either Charles or Ardith)
D-Day
On June 6, 1944, Charles “Chuck” Westie prepared for the Normandy invasion. He found time to write his wife, Ardith. “Where ever I am,” he wrote,”I will be thinking of you constantly – and living only for the thing to end and be back with you.”
Charles wanted Ardith to know that he loved her. At the same time, he believed in the necessity of fighting the war:
Perhaps you will think someday that I can not have loved you enough and still believe all the things that I do. I guess that it is not fair to you to say that the most important thing to me is not coming back – but in being worthy of this job – now – and for all my life. I would alter that – I think – if I could – but I just couldn’t and somehow can’t for long entertain the thought that my life is more important than the fighting against the things that may take it from you.
Meanwhile, in Lansing, Michigan, Ardith was writing her own letter to her husband. Her letter – also clearly dated “June 6, 1944” – shows the special stresses of a soldier’s loved one.
I turned on the radio about 6:45 this morning and heard the news for the first time. I did my praying then, darling. You know at first hand the strain and tension of the wait – and it has been much in evidence here, too. As a consequence, the news has packed a terrific emotional wallop. The whistles blew and banged at ten this morning, the signal for silent prayer all over the state.
Wounded
On July 28, 1944, Charles was wounded in action. He was evacuated to England and placed in a hospital. On August 5, he wrote to Ardith and explained his experience:
The brief yet hour long minutes of the action in which I was hit are re-occuring nightmares at times – It is all very confused. Most horrible were the cries of the wounded – for “medics” and for ***. I would start to cry to *** and would then remember that I had no right to – and then all the thoughts of home and you. It’s all over now…though really, I suppose, it will never be over.
In Lansing, Ardith anxiously awaited news. Charles’ letters were being delayed. She did not learn of his wounding until August 12 – two weeks after it occurred. That day, she wrote to Charles, telling him that she was thinking of him. She stated that she had “no one to talk about it to…”
In the late 1970s, Ardith, at the request of her adult daughter, thought back on that day. At that time, she wrote a lengthy memoir of her experience. She notes that she had been at home with daughter Judy (then just a few days shy of her second birthday) when she heard the news.
When Chuck’s letter arrived in early August telling me he was wounded and in the hospital, I was still twenty-two. I was stunned and alone. I think it was a Saturday, so I was home with Judy. I didn’t know what to do! I tried to have my disbelief and my anger and my sorrow all inside me, because the only person there was Judy, and how could she understand if I acted out how I felt? She was such a dear little person. You cannot imagine. I cannot imagine – I only remember when I read the letters I wrote Chuck – how she took good care of me in her baby way when she thought I felt bad or had hurt myself.
On this occasion, I went through the day trying to go for the walk and do the usual Saturday things. I knew my parents were coming the next day and felt I could wait until I saw them to tell them. Knowing how horribly afraid Chuck’s parents were for him, I hesitated to call them. I thought I would wait for the War Department telegram or for another message from Chuck – I do not remember what I actually did, except that I probably didn’t tell them until after I told my folks. I just don’t know.
When Judy went to bed, I thought, “Now, I can cry.” I did, but could cry only a little bit. Crying is a very social act, and the only person I could cry with and cry for was not there. I don’t remember if I slept or how long Sunday morning was, until my parents arrived around noon, and I met them at the door and immediately said, “Chuck has been wounded!” and started to cry and cry.
Aftermath
Charles’ wound was serious, and he saw no more combat. He was shipped back to the United States and spent the remainder of his service in Army hospitals. Eventually, his leg had to be amputated. After the war, he became a sociology professor at Central Michigan University. He and Ardith lived in Mount Pleasant for many years.
Charles Westie died on June 5, 1994. His death occurred fifty years – almost to the hour – from the time that he boarded the ship to Normandy. The wounds Charles suffered in combat ultimately caused his death. They affected his blood circulation, which in turn caused diabetes. Charles died of complications from this disease.
Ardith Westie has survived him. Recently, she donated her and Charles’ war letters to the Archives of Michigan. Now, these letters can be preserved and made publicly available, a testament of the courage of these two remarkable members of America’s greatest generation.
I am the third child of Ardith and Charles and as old as I am, I continue to be amazed at their maturity, their wisdom, their sense of place in this enormous world-wrenching time, their selflessness above all, at such a young age. For them, it was “the right thing to do” and they did not question that despite the heart wrenching effects it would cause. They were so young and yet such old souls, seeing something greater than themselves. They loved us, and are loved by us all still, and we are better people for their devotion to their country and their love. I urge you to read these letters; you will be transformed by a unique couple that continued to challenge and change not only their children, but many other students, mentors and friends. They lived their beliefs in a very real way that most of us only imagine. They have continued to inspire their children to be a force for change, but I do, for one, feel I fall short of the mark they set for us. I love them and admire them and hope that you will see what a remarkable couple they are. They are not alone, however. World War II forged many such remarkable relationships, and we are just so fortunate that our parents left us this rich legacy and record that we can now hopefully share with others. I wish you good reading.
Susan Hilton
Great article. It really brings home the sadness, hardship and feelings of have a loved one in a combat zone. Gave me more insight to what my Wife went through while I was in Vietnam. Thanks for the article.
A friend to whom I sent this link wrote: “It’s a beautifully done story, I think. The sense of isolation felt by your mother is palpable, and so sad. I heard some of the same sentiments from some of the parents involved in Military Families Speak Out, describing the loneliness they felt before finding the organization. And the sentence, “It’s all over now…though really, I suppose, it will never be over.” is haunting.” History does not often record the voices of the families left behind.
Wonderful title for an inspiring story of love and courage of two very young Americans during a very stressful time. This type of real life story needs to be told over and over to our young people; these values need to be instilled in the the lives and minds of today’s troubled world. The technology and times are different, but the feelings and family ties of young men and women serving our country are the same. Lets hope stories like this one make people realize they are not alone. Well done, Bob.
Leanne
They were so young, with the weight of the world on their shoulders. They have my love and respect for all time.
I can relate somewhat to what this young wife went thru as my husband was in the Navy from Oct.61 to Feb. 66. However the times we were apart and I had to wait for mail is nothing what they went through. My husband to this day is very proud of his service time and tries very hard locally is show this to the young people of our community. Today is Veterans Day and he and his Legion members have a program for the school and then go the local nursing home to honor the veterans there. I think our world war II vets have led the way in helping people show their american pride.
How beautiful Libby. Thanks for sharing your parents’ story.
Friends,
The Michigan Sociological Association has honored Professor Westie with a posthumous chapter in, Twenty-five Years of Excellence in Michigan Sociology: Some of the best of the MSR (2011) ISBN 978-0-615-53529-6 by Larry T. Reynolds, Joseph M.Verschaeve & Lisa N. Hickman. Family members may contact me at verschaj@gvsu.edu for a free copy. We miss him every day.
Blessings,
Joe Verschaeve, Editor
Michigan Sociological Review