[00:05.72]To son, Cecil,
[00:09.22]Just a quick note preface before I start in earnest.
[00:13.37]When I wrote this you were 8, still a little boy.
[00:17.75]A few years ago,
[00:19.21]I was called to active duty in the Marine Corps in the War on Terrorism.
[00:24.64]When America was attacked,
[00:27.37]I knew that I would eventually have to go and I was filled with a deep sense of sadness.
[00:34.04]That night as you and Keiko were asleep,
[00:37.21]I looked at your little faces and couldn't help but fight the tears.
[00:41.81]I knew it would be hard for you because I had a similar experience.
[00:46.51]When I was a little boy aged 6, my Dad, you Grandpa Cawley,
[00:52.42]was sent to Vietnam during the War there.
[00:55.26]I remember how much I missed him, too.
[00:58.21]But now unfortunately I have come to realize just how rough it must have been
[01:04.05]for Grandpa to be away from his children for a year.
[01:07.57]Thinking about this,
[01:09.55]I wanted to put my thoughts and feelings down for you and your sister.
[01:13.81]I am so sorry that I had to leave for such a long time.
[01:18.07]There is no place I would rather be than with you and Keiko.
[01:22.12]You two are the lights of my life.
[01:24.97]I have known no greater joy than in the few years since you two were born.
[01:30.12]I hope to have many more years with you.
[01:33.39]If this doesn't happen, then know that I love you more than words can express.
[01:38.87]If for some reason I don't make it home,
[01:42.13]I will need you to take care of your little sister and your Mom.
[01:45.75]You will be the Man of the Cawley family.
[01:48.60]Be good my son and God will watch over you as he has me.
[01:54.17]I will be waiting impatiently for the time when we can all be together again.
[01:59.32]All my love,
[02:00.75]Dad
[02:02.06]Two days after Cawley's death, his last letter arrived at his family's home in Utah.
[02:08.30]Written on the packaging of an MRE Meal Ready to Eat, the US military's frontline ration
[02:15.51]it consisted of a message in Japanese to his wife and his final words to his children.
[02:21.86]Dear Cecil and Keiko,
[02:24.05]Hi little guys. How are you? Daddy is fine.
[02:27.87]I miss you. Send me a letter Okay? It will make me very happy.
[02:32.90]I am proud of you. You are such good kids. I will see you again.
[02:37.82]Love,
[02:38.66]Daddy
