Local television channel Boston 25 News reports about this. On December 6, 1945, 22-year-old John Gonsalves wrote a letter to his mother from Bad Orb, Germany.
“We don’t know where the letter has been for the past 76 years,” said a US Postal spokesperson. “But because of the advanced age of the relatives and the importance for the family history, it was our top priority to deliver the letter.”
The mother John Gonsalves passed away some time ago, and John Gonsalves himself has not been alive for a few years. But US Postal did find the address of his widow, Angelina Gonsalves (89), who met the young soldier about five years after the war and shared his life with him until his death. Just before Gonsalves’ death, the couple celebrated their diamond wedding. They had five children together.
‘The food here is unsatisfactory’
Angelina couldn’t believe her eyes when she got hold of the letter from ‘her Johnny’ and recognized his handwriting. In front of the camera of the local news channel she read the letter. “Dear mom. I got another letter from you today. I’m glad to hear everything is going well. I’m fine too, I’ll be fine here. But as far as the food is concerned, that is usually unsatisfactory.”
‘Like he’s back’
The Gonsalves family called the U.S. Postal Service to thank them for delivering the letter after all these years. The letter brought back fond memories of Angelina, who turns 90 this month and once again spent the Christmas season without her beloved husband. “It’s like he’s back,” she says, holding the letter in her hand. “Really, it’s unbelievable. Oh, he was such a good man. Everyone loved him.”