Laurie Meyer was recently going through a trove of family belongings when she came across a long forgotten family relic -- a vinyl recording of her father during WWII.
The message – a family hidden treasure – was from Meyer’s father, Jim Rudy, to her mother, June, from January 15, 1943. It was recorded in Chicago just before Rudy was shipped out to the front lines of Europe with the Army Airborne unit.
Although Meyer had heard the record once when she was very little, she couldn't remember what was said, let alone if the audio could be salvaged.
Laurie Meyer was going through WWII family relics when she came across a record from her father, Jim Rudy. (Photo: Laurie Meyer)
Meyer brought the 45, titled ‘Love and Kisses – Jim,’ into Summit Video Services in Lee’s Summit where the audio was extracted from the turn table and cleaned up on digital software.
"I can count three times in 12 years of business we've had a unique record like this from World War II,” said Chad Godfrey, owner of Summit Video Services.
"Coca Cola and Pepsi both had some promotions during World War II where they would have these little recording booths in allied areas and in military bases where the soldiers could go in and record these messages. And they were so fast,” he said.
Meyer was very anxious to hear the 74-year-old recording Thursday afternoon with 41 Action News by her side.
"I just brought it here in hopes he could let my daddy's voice come through,” said Meyer. "He told me it was perfect. So I'm anxious to hear it."
The record’s audio was extracted, seemingly nearly back to its original condition. It starts with the following:
"Hello June, this is me remembering you. I thought this little record would please you, anyways, it's different than writing. And in case you don't like it, it's very easy to shut me up. Just turn the switch, no kiddin."
Meyer did warn that her father had a great sense of humor. Of course the three-minute recording had many sincere moments, including:
"I don't need to tell you I miss you. And I'm starving for your love and affection."
The record ends with Rudy joking about trying to eat pizza in the cold Chicago January weather:
"Last night we had pizzas for supper, and before I had the chance to eat the pizza it froze tight to my pants. Well I guess I run out of words and out of record too, so I'll say goodbye honey, and I'll write ya again tomorrow night."
Listen to the audio message here:
Meyer said the experience of hearing her father’s youthful voice was “unbelievable.”
"It feels very nice to hear his voice,” she said. "Now all the generations forward will have a part of his voice and he was very well known and loved."
"I think it's a pretty amazing keepsake,” added Godfrey. "It's really satisfying to be able to have that time piece and bring it into the twenty-first century."
Rudy was in his early 20s at the time of the recording. He passed away in Overland Park in 1990.
