Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Editor’s note: This is a transcription of a letter sent to a young Dan George on Christmas Day, 1943, from his uncle, Lt. Jamil Karam, from a World War II battlefield. Family friend Fran McIntyre wrote to The Light: “At a Labor Day protest at Buttonwood Park, (George) shared with me a letter sent to him by his uncle who was serving in the U.S. Army in Italy. Lt. Karam wrote to … Daniel at Christmastime of the reasons he, and the U.S., were in that war. It is an eloquent statement of patriotism and a defense of democratic ideals. It is made more poignant by the fact that (Karam) was killed within a year by enemy disguised as U.S. soldiers.” Now 83, George is a Westport resident and former defense attorney.

My plea — Champion all causes of righteousness and justice

To Master Daniel George, 203 Elliot Street, Brockton, Massachusetts

“Italy” Lt. Jamil Hohn Karam, HQ CO 2ndBN 142 INF, APO36, c/o N.Y. City,

PM N.Y.

Dec. 25, 1943 5:45 PM

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hello Dan, I’ve just written your cousins Joan and Robert Steven. I didn’t mean by this that you fall last in my affections, but one has to start somewhere. 

A plaque in the George home includes a photo of Dan George’s uncle, Lt. Jamil Karam, and the original letter and envelope from 1943. Credit: Courtesy of the George family

I understand from your Aunt Lucile that you are an exceptionally gifted and personable young man. That is well, for there are many opportunities for the useful application of such talents and blessings for stalwarts like you. Who knows — but a destiny of a people may someday depend upon the soundness of your judgement. Your uncle, like many million other Americans, is in hopes that his sacrifice and the sacrifices of his comrades-in-arms will not have been for nought. What we hope to accomplish depends entirely upon those who follow us.

History illustrates that Wars are a necessary cycle. We hope to refute such writings, through you and your generation. Take a strong hold upon the reins of government and bulwark the Constitutional Rights of Man by judicious guiding of the Ship of State. Remember the rights of minorities — do away with the class system — and always keep in mind that neither laws of God and Man condone impoverishment or miscarriage of justice. 

Affectionately — Your Uncle “Jamil”

P.S. Ask your mother if she would be kind enough to write.

More Community Voices

7 replies on “On Veterans Day, a long-ago letter from an uncle to his nephew”

  1. Thank You for sharing, your Uncle was quite a human being! Now compare him to Bone Spurs! Doesn’t that make us all want to scream?

  2. Yes, and wasn’t it that same avoider in chief who called fallen or captured soldiers something like losers or suckers?

  4. Thanks to the Light
    For bringing more Light!
    Jamil and Dan were/are Unswerved,
    As American Justice has/will be Served!

  6. Beautiful letter, quite a legacy in and of itself. Trying to imagine how you reacted at the time, and if your mother ever wrote him. And if you read it every Veteran’s Day.

  7. hi Dan, its Cin. as you know, im not big on facts,etc. however youre sharing such a letter from your uncle. reading it felt good. and it was really about moral and sincerity( i laughed at the P.S.) Very nice letter sent to you. you are a gem.

Comments are closed.