Shortly after her mother’s death in 1975, Nancie Davis Field encountered her father tossing various old papers into an incinerator. Her eye was drawn to five little leather books at the top of the pile and Nancie immediately asked if she could have them. Despite her father’s offhanded remark that he didn’t know what interest they’d be to her, Nancie was curious and pleased when he handed them over to her.
Now, having been transcribed, the diaries of Ray Davis give a remarkable and often poignant narrative of "The Great War" from the perspective of an insightful, intelligent and brave young man. Nancie writes, "He left home with his patriotism shining brightly…he came through three and a half years of monotony, miserable living conditions, and the horror of that war with his character intact."
In sharing her father’s diaries with the world, Nancie presents a gift to us all. We invite you to journey into the pages of Ray’s diaries and learn how love and faith, honor and duty, helped him survive the darkest days. This gift is especially welcome as present-day humanity faces challenges not unlike those in Ray’s time.
