Dear Group Members,

     For sometime now, I have promised Gia and Gio that I would write the story of my Dad and Nelson Eddy for the Jeanette MacDonald Divine Diva Webgroup and Jeanettemacdonaldfanclub.com Website. The following is the story as I remember it.

     My Father, a young Lieutenant who had been studying as a baritone before the war, was on a bombing run on March 22, 1944, during World War II, when his B-17 air ship was hit by gun fire and disintegrated with seven crewmen on board. My Dad, the lone survivor, was taken captive behind enemy lines and held prisoner for the next one-and-one-half years by the Germans at Stalag Luft 1, Prisoner of War Camp at North 1, Barracks 7, Room 3. While in the POW camp, my Dad wrote a letter on December 6, 1944, to his favorite baritone singer, the one-and-only NELSON EDDY. The gracious Mr. Eddy answered the letter on March 16, 1945, and also forwarded my Dad's letter on to my Mother ... so, as he stated, "she could read between the lines."

     Thirteen years later, when Mr. Eddy and Gale Sherwood had a singing engagement in Houston, Texas in 1957, my Dad contacted Mr. Eddy. Mr. Eddy, remembering the POW letter, consented to meet with us. I must say—my Dad did this for me—because I just HAD to meet Mr. Eddy. Having listened to his records since I was three years old, and having memorized the entire album of Disney’s "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met" where Mr. Eddy sang all the parts—why—I knew it was something that just HAD to happen! It had to—and it did!!!.

     And so when I was 11 years old, my Dad took my sister and me to meet the famous singer. I still can see Mr. Eddy now—tall, blonde, a handsome HERO-of-a-man walking toward us through the lobby of the grand Shamrock Hotel. He was so elegant!!! It is truly a "highlight" in my life to know I stood in the presence of "The Voice" that I had listened to all my young life; and I actually heard him speak, shook his hand, smelled his Cologne, and heard him laugh and joke. Yes it was everything I had imagined "The Voice" would be like and so much more. Moments later, Miss Sherwood had entered the lobby and Mr. Nelson waved his hand, and motioned her to join us. Always the perfect gentleman, he introduced us to her—and oh how beautiful and gracious she was.

     Yes, as you can imagine, among my cherished treasures are these two letters of my father and Mr. Eddy. I shall be eternally grateful for his warmth and kindness to us.

     I am so honored to have known and loved the music of this great man. But to have had the opportunity to meet him in person is a privilege that has forever touched my heart and soul. If I had never shared this experience with anyone, it would be DEAR to me, but to be able to share this with others who love and respect him—well, it is truly an HONOR!!

    My Dad and I learned all the Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald duets ... and performed "their music" until he passed away on December 8, 2002.

     It is wonderful to know that LOVE for Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald lives on in the hearts of fellow group members. Thank you all for loving them as I do!!!