From Burma With Love
Second Edition
by
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Here is Irv Reiss' letter to his brother Frank on December 7, 1941 following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Irwin is at his desk at Camp Roberts in central California 15 miles from the coast -- Dear Frank & Gerry, I enjoyed your letter. Congratulations on your work. I know you're doing a real job. Stay in there and pitch, my future looks black. . . . I'm in the orderly room now. I'm acting company commander. I've just ordered every man restricted to the company area. I've posted guards armed with ball ammunition guarding every rifle rack and the storeroom. From now on I'm carrying a loaded 45 automatic 24 hours a day. We've doubled the guard and given them careful instructions. This camp is full of Japanese. Our company has about 50 of them. . . . . All coastal defenses have been ordered to 24-hour duty. All officers must appear in uniform. All orders and leaves have been canceled. . . . . I don't know what's going to happen, but regardless of what does, I'll be doing my duty. And never forget that. I think you two are the best brother and sister a guy could want. Take care of Junior and God bless you both. . . . Love Irwin. . . . . . Here's part of another letter to Frank and their mother on February 15, 1942 -- I am acquiring the scars of lost economic opportunity and I may acquire the scars of battle. But unless we have scars when the final peace arrives, we did nothing to bring it about. Destiny decreed my position -- it is up to be to make the most of it. Love, Irwin
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About the Book
During World War II, the Japanese blockaded all the harbors along the coast of China and Burma. To get supplies into central China, the Americans, British, and their allies built the Burma Road which became the Epic Story of the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. It was 700 miles through jungles, over mountains, and crossing streams. Some 200,000 native laborers were involved. That was Irwin Reiss' job -- recruiting local tribesmen to move dirt and build bridges by hand and limited heavy help from Caterpillar tractors. Read these letters from the jungle and from the homefront and then ask yourself why is ongoing turmoil in other parts of the world.
About the Author
About the Authors Stephen Reiss and Diana Peterson were married in Peoria, IL on July 10, 1971. Their first son Adam Stephen was born in Peoria on August 8, 1976 and their second son Grant Andrew was born in Peoria on May 19, 1979. Steve has a BS in Electrical Engineering plus an MBA and worked for Caterpillar for 40 years including 5 years in Asia. Diane has a BA in Elementary Education plus a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. She taught 4th grade, ESL, GED, and was Handicap Coordinator for Illinois Central College. The family of four enjoyed living in Seoul for 3.5 years and in Hong Kong for 1.5 years 1987-1991. Here’s our 50th wedding anniversary. Adam married Heather Pottgen on April 26, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ. They have a son William Stephen and daughter Ava Brooke and live in Springfield, IL. They are on the right. Grant married Hany Sober on August 29, 2009 in Peoria, IL. They have a daughter Kayla Marie and a son Blake Saber and live in Chicago, IL. They are on the left. All four grands are co-authors on this second edition.