Sometimes someone sends you something priceless. This is a letter written in the Area of Operations in 1982, during the SWA/Angola Border War. It is written by Angelo Angelides to his son, Ryan who was just 3 years old at the time.
In it he expresses his reasons for fighting in a manner only a small 3 year old can try to understand. It also shows the deep sense of anguish and fore longing caused by conscripts called up to duty away from their families.
9 Nov 1982
Dear Ryan
Thanks for your letter son with all squighs and circles I got the message. You love me. Well son the same goes for you I love and miss you and it is not long now before I am home again.
Don’t forget that I am up here today for your tomorrow.
Well your Mom say’s you are naughty. Don’t worry I am not cross with you because I love you. Don’t cry for your Dad because I am home soon.
Lots of Love
Angelo wrote it whilst he was a member of the Transvaal Scottish and off fighting in Angola at the time.
Angelo Angelides (left with beard) and his brother Basil, serving with him at the same time – pictured 1978
My deepest thanks to Ryan Angelides for sharing this priceless memory.
The Observation Post 
As n men’s trug dink aan die tyd 1987 tot 1988 en die tyd met ops Hooper en wat vandag gebeur role daar net trane
LikeLike
Thank you for such a touching article Johann, I am almost 40 years old now and this letter written to me by my Father still brings a tear to my eye every time I read it, it truly is a piece of History that I hope to recover from a box at my brothers home in Johannesburg, as I am living in Portsmouth UK and my Father lives on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Once again, thank you for acknowledging how special this is and the sacrifices that were and still are made by the armed forces around the world and throughout History.
Best regards
LikeLike