Sent in 1943, this postcard was just delivered. (Star Gazette)
After 60 years in limbo, a postcard found its way to the correct address, although not the intended recipients.
The postcard was sent on July 4, 1943 to Pauline and Theresa Leisenring of Elmira, New York. It was mailed by their parents, who were visiting their brother at Camp Grant in Illinois.
The card read:
"Dear Pauline and Theresa, We arrived safe, had a good trip, but we were good and tired. Geo. looks good, we all went out to dinner today (Sunday). Now we are in the park. Geo has to go back to Grant at 12 o'clock tonight. Do not see much of him. We are going to make pancakes for Geo for supper tonight. See you soon. Love Mother, Dad."
Unfortunately, the two Leisenring sisters died decades ago. However, at their old house in Elmira live two young girls from a different family: Hannah and Madie Podgorny. Hannah, a seventh grader, told her hometown Star-Gazette that she plans to use the postcard as part of an upcoming history project.
The girls' mother Laura Rundell remarked, "It was delivered in mint condition. We were so shocked. It's a treasure that just showed up in the mailbox with our address on it." The Rundells found some cousins of the Leisenrings and have offered them the memento.
The Internet is full of stories about letters that arrived decades late. And it's not always the oft-mocked USPS who took its sweet old time. A few years ago, a woman in England received a party RSVP from a man who sent it back in 1919. The note read: "Dear Percy, Many thanks for the invitation, be delighted. See you on the 26th December. Regards Buffy." Here's hoping Percy at least got the thank-you note.