Dan Gettman Archives - Page 2 of 2

Dear Folks:

I started out to do something else tonight but after receiving your letter it made me feel so good that I had to answer immediately. A four page one too, pretty good, and full of interest. I know my letters get pretty dull sometimes but I hope that occasionally you find something of interest. I understand full well what our letters mean to you. Well I’ll dig up the letter and make a little commentary on it to make this one (letter) a little longer. Last night our GI foursome got together and I turned out the goat. After having a five bid served up tight I fumbled and went down two. But we won in the end.

I’m glad you liked the book and I believe you probably feel much as I do about the islands. And about the sharks. Yes, there (are) plenty in the waters around and we are always cautioned to swim in designated areas and stay close to shore. Only a few months ago a soldier disappeared and sometime later a shark was caught with his remains inside. I saw the shark. In ‘Born in Paradise’ you will probably remember how Von Tempski would swim the cattle to the boat and how they were often attacked by the sharks. I often think if you were here how we could see the place much as we did in ‘Frisco, and I know you would enjoy it immensely. I’m very glad you made the request for the shells and I’ll get you the best sets the Waikiki district has to offer. I’m sure I can find something that you will like and I’ll get a big kick of really shopping for something.

Although I wouldn’t exert myself excessively it would be good to see Conklin. He must be back on rest or something. It’s hard to imagine him a soljer but guess that’s the case with many of us. The $140 I get a month really is okeh and as soon as I get the (dental) bridge I hope to increase my allotment again. You should receive $60 a month beginning February 1. I’m always anxious to know that the right amount is getting home for I know that many of them become very mixed up. Working in the Personnel office and being the personnel Sgt Major, I work with many such tangled cases. I guess you know the dependency allotments are compulsory for married men. It is surprising the number of wives who leave their men and that creates trouble for us and for them. But in many cases the situation is applicable to both members.

I remember seeing Dan Gettman at the dance you mentioned and he always plies me with question of folks he knows around Minatare. He is a typical Russian as we know them –rather dull, bold and unaware of his own ignorance. But he is a pretty good kid, always tries hard but can’t make the grade.

I can imagine Duane and Margy as you mentioned. Is Marge any fatter or unshaped? I hope my fixture is a little better proportioned.

I know how you must feel when my letters slow up and I always try to keep up with them. There are many things I would like to tell you and you probably wonder why I haven’t but that’s ‘verboten’. Dick’s future, from what I can gather, is still centered around agricultural interests. I have never heard him mention Miss Sagle but he misses the times he had at home. I never felt the urge to go to school so much as I have now and I always know the fact that time is so short for me to study. Sometimes my plans and dreams occupy a lot of my time and again, I get a little discouraged at the outlook, but never stop believing that all will turn out okeh.

Willis Nichols’ marriage was certainly a big surprise to me but I don’t think he ever quite lived up to the standards of the rest of the Nichols. He’s pretty lucky to stay home.

Probably many times in my growth you thought I was a hopeless case and I know I did little to deserve your attention but now, and everyday a little more, I picture more clearly your patience showing, working and planning you did to ensure my livelihood and wellbeing. Somethings are impossible to see until they are taken away and no longer there to be taken for granted. Now I remember little things you told me at the time I thought you were nagging and old fashioned and couldn’t see the reason for them but now they all fit in the picture much differently. I couldn’t see how fortunate I was.

Well guess this (is) ‘pau’ for this communique but I will find the shells and the best too and make another special request again soon too. I will have as good a time buying them as you will receiving them.

Goodnite to love,

Dearest Folks:

I have plenty to do tonight, tomorrow is inspection, shining shoes, clean the rifle etc. but better take time out to drop you a line or two. I’m in good spirits today and once more got a boost in my morale. The cause for this good feeling is that I got a promotion today to staff sergeant and a corresponding increase in pay which makes it a hundred fifteen per (month) now, so guess I better increase my allotment a little. Of course it’s good to get the new rank and will mean a few more privileges. I hope that now I can cut the mustard and get the other stripe that my job calls for.

I’m wondering how Gramp is coming along and how the operation turned out. Gram wrote me a short letter and from the tone of it she sounds like she’s about whipped. I can’t imagine anything happening to gramp and it would be especially sorrowing at a time like this. I’d like to see him so bad and try to cheer him up a little.

Among the other things that I do in my job I occasionally go out to investigate court martial charges and tomorrow morning early means another such assignment. Remember the days I used to walk over to Mrs. Dick’s and sweat over some shorthand? Well it seems to be of some good now although I mostly use a combination of longhand and the other that makes a script that nobody but myself could read. Running somewhat into what I am studying I like the job although sometimes I swear I can never write down all they say but somehow things seem to work out. Last week we investigated a case that involved a Japanese storekeeper and he talked like a whirlwind and had the usual accent and I thought several times I was hopelessly lost. But it’s always interesting and breaks up the monotony of the routine. The fact that I know a little shorthand is the reason for my transfer to this battery some time ago so it seems that the few bucks I put out didn’t go to naught. If Mrs. Dick could see my notebook she’d probably tear her hair out though.

I just remembered your writing about Dan Gettman and the Star-Heralds he gives me. He is the one boy that I know from Nebraska and I used to be in the same outfit with him. I knew him well and Danny and I would often talk about things in common that we knew about the valley. Since I was transferred I don’t see him very often and occasionally I talk to him in town or whenever I get down to his battery. He is the usual Russian stock like is in the valley but he’s a pretty good little guy. A couple of weeks ago he sent me a stack that was as big around as my waist.

And another little item about the bank deposit box. I had forgotten completely about it and as I don’t need the use of it any longer you can dispose of it as you want to.

Katie sent me one of the announcements—the little one with the automobile motif—it was pretty cute and all the guys in the billet thought it was clever although they didn’t get the drift right at first.

Well I’m coming to the last act I believe, so here comes the curtain. I intend to write to B. Emick but somehow I don’t get around to it. Also had a letter from Mrs. Lewellen yesterday so there’s another to answer. Jack is lucky being in the Navy and getting a chance to get home. Well goodnite for another time and one less toward the end of the way.

Love,

26 January 1944

5 November 1943