Local veteran to speak about letter writing at Des Plaines History Center

Remember when people used to pick up a pen and write letters? Local Vietnam-era veteran Dennis F. Depcik will reveal the story of his military career and how he fell in love overseas through letter writing at the Coffee Talk set for Thursday, November 13, from 7-8 p.m. at the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson Street.

Depcik, the author of Wouldn’t It Be Something, will discuss the impact of writing letters to those in the military and share how the notes he received from his sister-in-law’s kid sister while he was in the Army from 1965-1968 turned this insignificant kid named Maggie into the most important person in his life.

What started as a pleasant pen-pal relationship led to a marriage of 41 years, four children, and six grandchildren. Discovering the letters in the corner of Maggie’s closet one month after she died set Depcik’s heart ablaze again. Her words brought Maggie back to him and kept her by his side while he struggled through the most difficult time in his life. The letters are featured in his book, which Depcik refers to as “a true story of an improbable love that happened through letters written across an ocean.”

Come hear his story! A $3 donation is suggested, and guests are invited to tour the History Center’s current travel exhibit “Greetings from Des Plaines” after the talk. For more information, call the History Center at 847-391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistory.org.

The History Center gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, its members, and other contributors.