The Deathbed (November 2024)

My grandmother, Eleanor Chen, died November 18, 2024. Age 102. Hospice care, surrounded by family.

Her final hour, she was barely conscious. Then suddenly, she opened her eyes. Reached for something on the nightstand.

A sapphire. Deep blue, 2.8ct, cushion cut. I'd never seen it before.

She pressed it into my hand. Her last words:

"The sapphire knows the truth. Find the letters. Tell everyone."

She died 14 minutes later.

The Letters (1942-1945)

I spent two weeks reading all 47 letters. They told a story my family never knew.

Letter #1 (March 1942)

"My dearest Eleanor,

I've been deployed to Queensland. We're stationed near the sapphire fields—Anakie region. The locals mine these beautiful blue stones. I bought one for you. When I come home, I'll have it set in a ring.

I promise I'll come back to you. — Thomas"

Letter #14 (August 1943)

"Eleanor,

I've befriended an Aboriginal guide named Wirra. He knows these lands better than anyone. He's teaching me about the sapphires—how they form, where to find them, what they mean to his people.

He says sapphires hold memory. That they witness everything and never forget. I didn't believe him then. Now I'm not so sure."

Letter #31 (February 1945)

This is where everything changed.

"Eleanor,

I've witnessed something terrible. I can't write the details—censors would intercept this. But I've seen a crime. A war crime. Committed by our own commanding officer, Major Harrison.

I confronted him. He threatened me. Said if I report it, I'll be court-martialed for insubordination. Or worse.

I don't know what to do. But I can't stay silent. Innocent people died because of what he did.

If anything happens to me, know that I loved you. And that I tried to do the right thing. — Thomas"

Letter #32 (March 1945) — The Last Letter

"Eleanor,

I'm going to report Major Harrison tomorrow. I have evidence. Wirra witnessed it too—he's agreed to testify.

Harrison knows. He's been watching me. I'm scared, Eleanor. But I have to do this.

I gave Wirra the sapphire I bought for you. I told him: if anything happens to me, keep it safe. Someday, give it to my wife. Tell her the sapphire knows the truth.

I love you. I'll see you soon. — Thomas"

He never sent another letter. Two weeks later, my grandmother received the telegram: "Killed in action, March 28, 1945."

The Witness (1945-2019)

Wirra, the Aboriginal guide, witnessed my grandfather's murder. He kept the sapphire for 80 years.

In 2019, age 97, dying, he sent the sapphire to my grandmother with a letter:

"Mrs. Chen,

I am Wirra. I knew your husband, Thomas. He was a good man.

I witnessed his death. It was not enemy fire. It was Major Harrison. He shot Thomas to silence him about the war crime.

I kept the sapphire Thomas gave me. He said: 'If anything happens to me, give this to Eleanor. Tell her the sapphire knows the truth.'

I am dying now. I am sending you the sapphire. The truth must be told.

The sapphire witnessed everything. It knows. — Wirra"

My grandmother received this letter in 2019. She was 97. She kept it secret for 5 years, until her death.

What I'm Doing Now

I'm publishing all 47 letters. The world needs to know:

• My grandfather was murdered by his commanding officer
• The military covered it up for 80 years
• An Aboriginal witness kept the truth alive
• A Queensland sapphire carried the story across 80 years

Part 2 of this story reveals:

• What war crime Major Harrison committed
• How Wirra survived 80 years carrying this secret
• What happened to Major Harrison (he's still alive)
• The complete letters (all 47, published in full)
• What I'm doing to get justice for my grandfather

→ Read Part 2: The War Crime, The Witness, and What I'm Doing to Get Justice