Waves of Hope

Through the vivid memories of Agnes Joan Negra, currently at the 100-year milestone of life, travel back to hear the expressions of American World War II prisoner of war mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, and brothers as they wonder whether their loved ones are alive while searching for word-any word-about the fate of their soldiers.

This true story is documented by handwritten letters and postcards from these American families. Using a shortwave radio during World War II, the newlywed wife of an American soldier becomes one of the only communication links to the families of American prisoners of war as they struggle with anxiety, fear, and heart-wrenching emotions worrying about the fate of their captured sons, husbands, and brothers.

A young wife and mother when her husband went into battle and was wounded in the Rhineland campaign in 1944, she shares her memories about the turmoil for American families as their spirit of hope is bolstered by the words of a woman and her shortwave radio.  

As the son of Agnes Joan Negra, the author interviewed his mother about her memories of this emotional period of the war. Through reading the many letters and postcards written by American families to her, he became passionate about sharing this story that affected the lives of many Americans. 

In addition, for her efforts, Agnes Joan Negra, was recognized as a "Homefront Hero" in the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.