BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Charlie (Left) putting his engineering education to work repairing building damaged from war in France.
THE PIANO LOVE AFFAIR
Prior to the Japan invasion, Charlie was
stationed in France when he came to the aid
of a young woman and her family. He helped
them lift a piano into their home…and thus
began a brief and seemingly improbably love
affair. The young Frenchwoman, Anthelmette,
and her family welcomed Southern farm boy
Charlie into their home for dinners, and she
and the GI from Tennessee would often go
on strolls together on the weekends. The
two kept in touch after Charlie returned
to the States but eventually married other
people and moved on with their lives. In
2013, however, Charlie was reconnected
with Anthelmette’s family. She had passed
away in 2007, but he flew to France to
meet her family and pay his respects at her
gravesite. This sweet story was the subject
of an autobiography and, more recently, a
short film.
Charlie visits Anthelmette’s grave. Upon arriving in Rennes, they were met at the train station by Anthelmette’s children. Left to Right: Maryse and
Bernard Letourneux, Charlie and Soazig Padovani. A wonderful welcome followed by tea and treats in the Bernard’s home.
Anthelmette and Charlie in Thabor Gardens, May 1, 1945. Middle photo: Anthelmette Gullard Letourneux at
the beach circa 1951. This photo was mailed to Charlie by Soazig in 2013. Last: Charlie and Anthelmette with
repaired roof in back.
The Piano Love Affair was turrned into a film directed by Gabe McCauley. Many WWII films and stories present
the battles, but Charlie’s story shows another side of our G.I.s’ lives. In France, it was common for our soldiers
to date, which served to alleviate the daily uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and ugliness of the war. Charlie and
Anthelmette’s purity and humility, the end of their relationship, and what happened nearly 70 years later, makes
their story unique and beautiful. The short film won several awards at this year’s Knoxville Film Festival.