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20 November 1944

 

Dear Folks:

I’ve let up on my writing this week for no good reason, so I better resolve to do something about it tonight.  I’ll pull up a bottle of beer and maybe I can think a little better.  Dan Gettman came in just a few minutes ago, bringing with him an armful of Star Heralds that I was anxious to read.  I glanced over them briefly but will read them more carefully tomorrow.  The latest one is dated September 8 so the news isn’t very current although it’s all interesting.  Yesterday four old Free Presses caught up with (the mail) and I’ve still got them stuck under my pillow to read over a few times more before they find their way into the wastebasket.  Well getting papers means also that some packages, the first in several months, came, and I received one from you marked Box 1 on the cards.  The popcorn was the first I’ve seen since leaving Oahu, and tonight we plan to pop it after the show, if we can mooch a little butter from the kitchen.  We have a small one burner stove that we cook on when the kitchen isn’t operating, and I think the pot will be large enough to do the job.  And for supper tonight I enjoyed the olives.  You know how I love ‘em, and of course I almost made a meal of them.  The mess sergeant just came by and said I could get the butter so we’re set.  On the humorous side, the can of Vienna sausages has made me the brunt of several jokes.  You see Vienna sausages are about as common on the menu as Spam, and served as often.  And knowing the jokes connected with Spam you can see what they’ve been saying to me.  But then you couldn’t know about that.  But that’s alright you know I can still use them.  Quite a sizable shipment of boxes came in so everyone is enjoying eats of some kind or another.

Had a letter from Bill E and one from Glen last week and both of them seemed to like the high life they saw in Paris.  At least those guys over there are around people that are about like us and not so foreign to them as the Japs.  I see a Jap plane is to be displayed at the County Fair-I wished you would have seen all the ones I did, wrecked ones, that is.

Saw the show “Bathing Beauty” last night and if you saw it too you know the howling that must have gone on.  I’d like to see more like it-no army or war in it.  Two nights ago a military band came over for a concert, but they were a pretty sick crew in my estimation.

I don’t know what I’m going to write about now, not much exciting has happened.  Washed out some clothes and other ‘unmentionables’ as the women say, and then after supper went up to hear the news.  From the Philippine station, I heard mention of Arthur Veysey, who used to report for the Star Herald now with the AP, I believe.  I can imagine how tonight the guys down there are having it and I hope it is ended before long.  Noticed in the Star Herald that Shirley Heldt is married, she had weak knees over J. Conklin for a time.  Haven’t played much bridge lately, but would like to get going again.  Our cards are getting pretty do-eared, but as long as we don’t lose one we’ll be alright.  Pinochle seems to be the big game around here but I’m not interested in it very much.  You should get two bonds sometime in November for September and October-they have a new deal on now-sent only when we get paid so if they don‘t come for a month you will know I didn’t get paid.  Think I’ll get a couple of GI bonds too.  Haven’t heard from Dick for some time-I’ll have to get on him and make him write a little.  Would certainly like to see him again.  About a week ago we started giving classes in shorthand to the clerks, but I don’t think the effort will be successful.  It takes too long and requires too much practice.  Don’t use mine much anymore but dabble around once in a while.  Was reading in the Star Herald about the university courses-sounds good and how I’d like to be in some of it.  I’ll bet I wouldn’t do any fooling around this time and I‘d get down to brass tacks.  I didn’t loaf while I was there but I’d get more done the next time.  The last few days have been corkers-rained all the time-got everything damp and put mud all over.  Aired out a few things today so they won’t mold.

I guess this is the last act-can’t dig up anything more so guess I’ll have to quit.  Think I’ve put on a pound or two lately and feel fine.  Keep the home fires burning and in church every Sunday when they pray, you add ‘and I hope he gets a furlough’.  Thank you so much for the box, and I hope the next ones won’t be far off.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

Categories: Band, Beer, Bill Emick, Bridge (cards), Dan Gettman, Dick Moss, Free Press hometown news, Glen Chambers, Jack Conklin, Laundry, Living quarters, Military daily life, Movies, Office, Packages from home, Postwar dreams, Radio news, Shirley Heldt, Star Herald, US Bonds

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Harold’s Whereabouts

Tinian

Rank

<h4>T/Sgt. HG Moss 37086474</h4>

T/Sgt. HG Moss 37086474

Technical sergeant was the rank between staff sergeant and first sergeant. Technical Sergeant was renamed Sergeant First Class in 1948.

Description

2 typewritten pages, front side only, to his parents in Minatare, Nebraska. Another letter on beautiful Air Mail stationary.

Return Address

Hq. Btry 225 FA Bn
APO 969 San Francisco, California

Censor Stamp

None

Postage

No envelope

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