First direct word from their son, Pfc. Vere Morrison, in more than two years, was received on Monday by Mr. and Mrs. Gene Morrison of Spring Lake township.

The message was in the form of a post card, and had been written a year ago on February ??, 1943.  The message, printed by hand read:

"Dear mother and father:  Am feeling fine, and unwounded.  Hope you and the family are well.  Your loving son, Vere E. Morrison."

Pfc. Morrison was reported missing in June, 1942.  It was not until the following January that the war department notified his parents that he had been taken a prisoner during the battle in Java, and was being held by the Japanese.

Since then, the family has written to Vere several times each week.  The letters, said Mrs. Morrison, are limited to less than twenty-five words and must be printed or typed.  Packages of food and clothing have also been sent to him.

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RADIO WORD FROM PFC. MORRISON

Short Wave Message Says He is Held in Malaya.  Is Well But Very Homesick.

Transcript of a radio message from Pfc. Vere E. Morrison, who is held as a Japanese prisoner, brought the first late word to be received from him.

The message, picked up by short wave monitors in the east, was sent on by the government to Miss Mabel Hargens, a friend of Pfc. Morrison, to whom it was addressed.  She received it Friday.

The message dated November, 1944, said: "Greetings and all good wishes for the new year.  Am well, but terribly homesick.  Look forward to return home.  Please write often.  Enclose photos and radio message as well.  Longing to have news of you and the old home town.  Say hello to everyone for me.  Hope you're all well."

Further information from the government on the message was to the effect that Pfc. Morrison was being held at a prison camp in Malaya.  Heretofore, he had been believed to be on Java.
 

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VERE MORRISON IS LIBERATED

Has Been Prisoner of Japanese
Since 1943.  Message to Parents
Says He Is Hospitalized

    A message from the War Department to the Morrisons' on Wednesday stated that Vere was hospitalized, and gave a New York A.P.O. address.  The message also stated that a letter would follow.

    A prisoner of the Japanese since early in 1942, Pfc. Vere E. Morrison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Morrison of Hiland township, was among a group of Americans liberated from a prison camp in Singapore, it was announced on Friday.  Pfc. Morrison was due to arrive in Oakland, Calif., on a navy transport plane, although at this time no definite word of his arrival or physical condition had reached his family.

    As far as can be gathered from events, Pfc. Morrison was taken prisoner some time after February, 1942, which was the last time he had been heard from until he was reported missing in June 1942.  Arter that there was only silence until the following January when the War Department notified his parents that he had been reported by the Japanese as a prisoner in Java.

    First direct word from him came in March 1944, in the form of a post card which was dated February 22, 1943, which stated briefly that he was well.  In March of this year, another card was received, dated December 10, 1943.  At approximately the same time, transcript, a radio message was picked up by a coast resident.  This message was dated November, 1944.  At that time information from the war department indicated that Pfc. Morrison was in a prison camp in Malaya.  No further word had come from him until news of his liberation was announced.

    Pfc. Morrison has been in the service since February 1941.
 
 

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