In a heartfelt journey through time, a box of letters revealed a family’s enduring love story amidst the turmoil of war, offering answers to questions long held by a daughter who lost her father at a young age. These letters chronicle the love and challenges faced by Joseph and Rita Hynoski, whose lives were forever altered by World War II.
Rita Hynoski, aware of her impending death, gathered her family to her side. She instructed her daughter, Deborah Hynoski Burnetti, to look under the bed for a box that would provide the answers she sought about her late father. Inside, Deborah discovered nearly 300 letters detailing the love between her parents, from friendship to marriage, and the struggles they faced due to war.
Joseph Hynoski, who had enlisted in the Army Air Corps at 18, chronicled his experiences from the battlefield, including the battle with malaria that plagued him throughout his life. “You take one person that had to deal with the war … and everyone is affected all around them,” Deborah noted, emphasizing the lasting impact of war.
A Fortuitous Encounter
Joseph, a medic in World War II, met Rita while visiting his siblings in Baltimore, where they stayed during the war. Their chance meeting blossomed into a long-distance relationship, with Joseph expressing his affection in a letter dated October 27, 1940: “I really think a lot of you Rita, I think you’re a swell girl … I might as well tell you that I love you Rita, honest I do.” Their correspondence deepened their bond, but war would ultimately reshape their dreams.
Battle with Malaria
Joseph served as a medic in New Guinea alongside Australian troops, where he contracted malaria. His letters to Rita described his bouts of intense fevers yet reassured her of his love: “You’re always on my mind and I’m thinking of the day when I’ll be able to hold you in my arms and really say you are mine and I am yours.” Discharged due to health issues, Joseph returned to a life of ongoing medical struggles.
Family Life and Heartache
Married on December 31, 1944, Joseph and Rita started a family but faced numerous health challenges. Despite aspirations to become a doctor, Joseph’s chronic illness prevented him from furthering his education. The family lived modestly on veteran’s benefits, with their eldest son, Joe Jr., working from a young age to help make ends meet.
Legacy of Resilience
Joe Jr., now 80 and owner of Joe’s Pizza in Nanticoke, reflects on a childhood marked by responsibility. His sister, Deborah, credits him with stepping up as the “man of the house” following their father’s death. Joe Jr. believes these experiences shaped his resilience and ability to handle life’s challenges.
Uncovering Family History
Deborah, who was just six when her father passed, found the letters to be a window into her parents’ lives and the effects of war. The letters revealed personal details about her father’s likes and character, which were unknown to her before. Inspired by the letters, she penned a book about her family’s experiences, saying, “The ripple effect of war can be immense and carried through generations.”
Her book, “With All My Love, Doc: A Heartfelt Journey of Love, Valor, and Tragedy”, is available on Amazon, aiming to honor her family’s story and highlight the enduring impacts of war.
