Fairmont native brings soldier’s tale to life

Kylie Saari — Staff Writer

FAIRMONT - It was when his wallet was opened for the first time in 65 years that Bud Shank's story ceased to be family lore and came alive for Jennifer Weaver-Neist.

Weaver-Neist, Shank's great-niece, was helping her aunt prepare for a move when she came across a long-forgotten box of memories of the Pennsylvania man who died in a World War II battle at age 20, only one month after being sent overseas.

In his wallet, still stuck together from its time in the damp air of Holland 65 years ago, was a lock of his fiancee's hair, enclosed in a paper emblazoned with his beloved's lipstick kiss and her picture. Weaver-Neist believes the wallet was put away when it was returned with Shank's belongings and not looked at again.

Letters from war to his family were stored in a plastic bag titled "Letters from the Boys," waiting to be read again.

She made the discovery 10 years ago. Weaver-Neist, a Fairmont native, recently published a book of his letters and the aftermath of his death on her family.

Excerpts of "Give My Love to Everybody: Letters from a World War II Soldier" will be read at noon today at Red Rock Center's Tuesday Lunch with the Arts program.

The letters are printed as close to their originals as possible, interspersed with a narrative describing family events and explaining critical information.

Weaver-Neist remembers hearing her family talk of Shank when she was a child, but after delving into his world - including a European tour in which she went to battle locations where his unit, the 104th Infantry Division, also known as the Timberwolves, fought - she feels she knows the great-uncle she never met.

Telling the story was natural for her.

"It is a good story," she said. "I remember hearing the stories growing up," Weaver-Neist said. "There was a mark of sadness. (The book) was worth doing, in the memories."

Weaver-Neist added that many family members still had artifacts of Shank's life and memories of him.

His letters speak of the ins and outs of a soldier's life in the mid-1940s. He repeatedly asks for candy, updates from home, and writes of his true love and fiancee, Jane.

The letters end abruptly, as did his life, and the remainder of the book reveals Jane's inquiry into his death - she received conflicting reports indicating he may have been alive, including letters postmarked after his death - the contents of Shank's wallet, and photos of the memorial trip taken by Weaver-Neist.

Jane, who eventually married and had six children of her own, died in 2002, but was aware of the book, having seen an earlier version.

For Weaver-Neist, the beauty of this story is in its commonality.

"I never claim this story is unique," she said. "Women and men are dying every day. It is a history quickly going away."

Tylor Neist, Weaver-Neist's husband, has been with her during the years it took to complete the project and will provide Shank's voice during today's readings.

Weaver-Neist also hopes to see veterans from any era attend.

"The veterans' presence really makes this event more poignant," she said.

Weaver-Neist, who now lives in Portland, Ore., will sign copies of her book, which will be for sale after the reading.