Unfinished Journey: A World War II Remembrance

The story of Unfinished Journey centers around the letters of Morris B. Redmann Jr., written home to his parents and family from October 20, 1943, through January 11, 1945. He was killed in action on January 14, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge--the largest land battle ever fought by American troops in the history of the United States Army. These letters, meticulously preserved in old shoeboxes and stowed away in the attic of his parents'' home for decades, are the backbone of Morris Redmann''s journey in the military. They survived when the soldier did not.

Through these letters, follow the ups and downs of this young soldier''s life. From the rigors of basic training, to his being buried alive by a tank in his foxhole, to the experience of an enjoyable evening--dining on steak and cognac--shared with a large French family near the German border, before having to return to the snow-covered fields of Europe''s harshest winter in fifty years.

The reader becomes acutely familiar with Morris''s life and philosophies, as expressed by the unusually mature young man with great strength of character. He is buried in the Luxembourg American Military Cemetery at Hamm, Plot H, Row 1, Grave 20.

Kerry Redmann is one of Morris B. Redmann Jr.'s eight younger brothers. The book's original purpose was for the enlightenment of two of Morris's youngest brothers, who--at ages three and four years, respectively--did not understand the significance of his absence from home. The author was fourteen years old when Morris left for the military; he now lives in Covington, Louisiana.