Following Luther and Jimmie Shield’s 1983 visit to the Palmoni family, Luther sent an affectionate thank you note to Iginia “Mama” Palmoni and her family. This letter was scanned by Antonello Palmoni (Marino Palmoni’s son), and sent to Luther’s daughter Cindy Jackson 25 years later, on December 29, 2008.

The text of the letter, both in Italian and translated into English, follows.

In Italian:

Maggio 10 1983

Mama e Familia

Con molto amore io scrivo

Grazie per 3 goirni grande!

Io sono molto contento—e moglia mia pure!

Mi dispiace partire ma possible incontrare in Cieli. La Bibbia dice Giovanni 3:16 “Poiche Iddio ha Tanto amato il mondo, che ha date il suo unigenito Figliuolo, affinche chiunque crede in lui non perisca, ma abbia vita eternal.”

1st Giovanni 5:12 “Chi ha il Figliuolo ha la vita”

I ho la vita!

Io molto contento

Sempri Ricordo

Sempri Te Amo

Louterio

In English:

May 10, 1983

Mama and Family

I am writing with much love

Thank you for 3 great days!

I am very pleased—and so is my wife!

I’m sorry to leave, but we will meet in Heaven. The Bible says in John 3:16 “Because God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1st John 5:12 “He who has the Son has life.”

I have life! I am very glad

Always remember

I will love you always

Luther