Lewis P. “Lew” Guido was just 18 years old when he went off to war in 1943. A native of western Pennsylvania, Lew joined the Army Air Force, serving with the 783 Bomber Squadron in Europe.

He was not unlike thousands of American soldiers who went to battle during World War II. Reared in a devoted Catholic faith, Lew’s mother wanted to make sure her son would keep his faith close to his heart as he took flight.

So when writing to him, she included a Catholic prayer book among the pages of her letter. The small prayer book was titled a “Catholic’s Pocket Manual: A manual of prayers and devotional exercises.”

The book included a beautiful depiction of Jesus Christ and carried the words “The Lord Be With You” in large letters. Lew carried that prayer book throughout his entire military stin

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