Connections to Home: Letters in a Time of War / Book III – 1964 Paperback – January 15, 2026

In "Connections to Home: Letters in a Time of War / Book III – 1964", David’s story enters a year of remarkable movement, growth, and increasing confidence in his life as a U.S. Marine. The preserved letters in this volume follow him from the final days of his assignment in Japan to a long-awaited leave back home in North Dakota, before carrying him onward to Camp LeJeune in North Carolina and, ultimately, to his deployment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Through these candid exchanges with family, friends, and fellow servicemen, readers witness David refining his skills, shaping his identity, and embracing every opportunity to explore the world around him—from learning to swim to teaching Sunday school to local children, to wandering historic streets in Philadelphia.Compiled by his nephew, Dwight Raatz, this volume expands the series with an enriched collection of photographs, maps, and extensive online bonus content, offering deeper insight into both David’s experiences and the family life that continued to evolve in his absence. Blending authentic personal letters with meaningful historical context, Book III – 1964 invites readers to walk alongside David during a year defined by movement, mastery, and the enduring power of human connection. Read more