A Salvation Army store in Hannibal, Missouri, turned out to be a treasure trove for a bygone love story, when a collection of love letters from World War II were found. The love letters were written by soldier Chester McMeen and his wife Alma Bernice Modglin, who have both since passed away. The letters were discovered by store manager Tina Eifert, who then sent them to local journalist Megan Duncan. Together, the two read through the romantic letters searching for family members of the couple so they could pass the letters on to them. The love letters chronicled the early days of the couple’s romance, from the first letter written on September 11, 1944 to the last one dated November 27, 1945. McMeen returned home shortly after the last letter was written and the couple went on to start their lives in Carbondale, Illinois. The couple had 3 children. Committed to notifying the couple’s next of kin, Duncan said she found the couple’s son’s address, sent a letter, and is currently awaiting a response.
