Promise to Mellita
by
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Nick felt empty when they all left for home. It had been fun being able to reminisce happy moments, although, at times, it brought out buried memories of the war. Flashbacks popped up so real, so strong, so fresh. It's like I was right there in the snow covered foxhole peering out in fear a German is creeping up on me. I'm running, ducking, zig-zagging and praying a bullet doesn't rip through my body. I'm madly racing toward Drusenheim with German soldiers in pursuit, and 88's whistling overhead and exploding nearby. If I could have, I would have climbed into my helmet.
With heavy artillery in the distance and bullets zipping all around, I stepped cautiously but quickly into the mine field while scanning the ground, until I got to Goodwin. His foot was blown off, and I remember he was bleeding profusely. I treated him and helped him until we made it out where a litter bearer took him to the rear.
On a patrol, in the middle of the night, I'm spotted by the Germans. All hell breaks loose as bullets spray and ricochet everywhere, it was like the whole enemy army was shooting at me. I jumped into an alcove where I came face to face with a German soldier. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when he turned and ran the other way as fast as he could.
Heading to relieve a machine gun nest, there's another German ambush. A medic has to be the last to retreat in case someone is hit. Up ahead a GI screams for help. His knee is thrown out of joint. Nick extends the leg and twists. It worked, but the soldier still has to lean on Nick as they move out--but it's too late. The Germans surround them.
Hiding in a hollowed out stump, a snow covered branch breaks, and traps him. The struggle to free himself goes on and on.
Flashbacks never faded. They always lurked ready to erupt at any moment. Nick's heart is still full of the sounds and the words and the fears of those days. Sometimes in the middle of the night it all comes back so clear. He almost becomes the kid he was--back then. Nick remembered the feeling of great joy when he saved a buddy, and the horrible sadness when he tried to save a dying friend and failed. He'd tried to do his best but sometimes that wasn't enough.
The words of Stephen Grellet were so accurate to Nick: 'I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not neglect it nor defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.'
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About the Book
Promise to Mellita is a novel inspired by the true experiences of brothers during World War II.
Nick Jordan, the youngest brother, joined the army and became a combat medic in the 42nd 'Rainbow Division.' In Europe, he saved many lives while going through harrowing enemy fire. Against orders, he cautiously enters a mine field to treat and bring out a wounded OT. A surprise German attack left him cut-off and surrounded for days. He was listed as missing-in-action. Another time, while treating a platoon member, he's captured. Marching to the rear with a group of P.O.W.'s, he seizes an opportunity to make a break for freedom. Later, wounded and hungry, he enters a house where a Fraulein, Mellita, befriends him. They become lasting friends. When Nick has to leave, he makes a promise to help her get to America. The war ends and Nick looks for Mellita, but instead he's picked up in the Russian zone and put in prison.
Meanwhile, Wylie Jordan, the eldest brother, a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater is flying his P-47 on numerous missions against the Japanese. On one occasion over Japan, he is wounded and his plane riddled with holes. He is barely able to get back to base safely. Another time, he is forced to land in China on a sandbar next to a mountain stream. Wylie's best friend was shot down and killed. The day before his friend had convinced Wylie to write to a girl. It began a pen-pal relationship that after the war ended in marriage.
A couple years after being mustered out of the army, Nick and his high school sweetheart get married. After having four daughters, family responsibilities took over their lives. Twenty-five years later, a phone call from Mellita's relative reveals that she is trapped in East Germany. Nick and Wylie devise a plan to get her out so Nick can fulfill his promise to her. Many surprises follow until the exciting finish of the book.
About the Author
Rollin Hurd received his dental degree D.D.S. from the University of Washington in Seattle. He practiced dentistry for forty years in Kirkland, Washington before retiring. He is now a life member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Society, and the King County Dental Society. He achieved recognition in high school sports especially his final year when he turned out for track for the first time. Rollin broke the school and county mile record without losing a race. At 18 years of age he went into the army and fought in Europe during World War II. He became a combat medic in the 42nd Rainbow Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for treating and saving many lives while under enemy fire. His company also put him in for the Silver Star and another Bronze Star for heroism. At one time he was listed as missing-in-action, but a group of seven of his platoon managed to escape. Dr. Hurd and his wife have lived in Kirkland, Washington for 47 years. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren. His mother Blanche, ninety-seven, lives in Napa, California.
Brother Edgar a veteran of World War II, flew combat missions from Ie Shima to Japan and China in P-47's. During Ed's later years he flew jet fighters in the Air Defense Command, and became a successful Real Estate Broker.