I BEGAN to read your article about Peddocks Island (“Shuttered island; Peddocks Island is home to an abandoned fort, but it will soon be renewed for public use,’’ Page A1, Feb. 20) interested to learn about the fate of this historic area. But my blood turned cold reading about how well Italian prisoners of war were treated when they were held on the island during World War II. The article states that they were given weekend passes to the North End, where they found romance with local girls.
Are you kidding me? I’m not saying they should have been maltreated, but these guys were enjoying a holiday while our brave American soldiers left their families at home to put an end to Mussolini and Hitler’s dream of world domination. My own father was one such hero whom I’m sure would have loved weekend passes, but instead was shot twice, endured four major battles, and slept outside in freezing cold temperatures.
Philip Regnier
Wrentham 
