War Letters

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception 

Wartime penpals who exchanged hundreds of letters over 70 years celebrate friendship with emotional reunion

Muriel Cowley (left) started writing to her penpal Peggy Shafer in August 1944 - and over the years they have forged a strong friendship despite living 3,500 miles apart. The pair (pictured together, inset in 1994) first met each other in 1974 when Muriel flew out to America. The two soulmates were 10-year-olds when Peggy sent this first letter to Muriel (right) just weeks after D-Day.