Packages from home Archives - Page 4 of 8

23 May 1944

Dear Folks:

This should be a long letter full of quite a bit of news for the past few days have been pretty memorable. A few days ago I received a letter from Jack Conklin and noticing his APO number found he was only a few miles from my station so I immediately tried to get hold of him. I was lucky enough to reach him on the phone and that night saw him for the first time in three years. And for the past three nights we have visited and rehashed all those never to be forgotten things that we did when we were young and foolish. It was as good as a week’s furlough. Jack looks pretty good and acts about the same as ever. He has traveled around quite a bit since he left the states and has a huge stack of pictures that he had to show me. He seems to have a nice job and one that is very interesting and not quite so GI as many of them. He was anxious to see me and neither of us could hardly realize that we were actually talking to each other. I couldn’t get a hold of Dick so that he could see Jack, but perhaps we can arrange that later. I haven’t seen Dick myself for over a week now and don’t expect to see him for a while. Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) got a pass, and just before I left got a letter from you and Dad and so had to tell Jack all the gossip in it. It was (a) good letter to get because there was quite a little in it about the Conklins. Well finally I had to say goodbye and probably our next visit will be many moons from now. You don’t know how good it was to see him and find someone that could talk to you about things in common. After he told me all his travels and we went through his pictures. We talked about the aftermath and what we expected to do. Jack does seem more serious about life and realizes his life was put to him on a gold platter. What did I think I was going to do? Well I said I was going to go home for a while then go overseas again and start myself something abroad. I wish I could realistically relate to you our conversation but I’m not good enough for that. You will have to imagine the rest. Now to get around to your letters and see what I can comment about. I’m so glad you liked what we sent and perhaps again soon I can send you some oddities. I wish I could have sat in with you on the Ouija Board session and added some firsthand comments. One of the big things Jack and I remarked about was the love life of the younger set at home – I mean all the marriages and babies. And now little Jimmie Colson (is) engaged. Jack couldn’t imagine Kate with a baby. And of course Krumenacher, Fry, Carroll, and some others all came into our frying pan of gossip. We feel that we are being left behind and that our future mates will be hard to find (ha). And talking about the late songs – it is the custom in our tent to schedule a bridge game during the ‘Hit Parade’ so we don’t miss any of them. No we don’t hear Tokyo Rose in the Islands, although those who have good radios can tune in Tokyo and hear them pretty good. I heard some about a battle in the South Pacific and compared it with our news broadcast and somebody is lying like hell, and I hope it was the Japs. I would like to meet R. Pitsch but it is increasingly difficult to get off and when I can get off a day I hardly like to spend ¾ of it looking for someone although perhaps I will happen to be out there someday and can locate him. All the busses and taxicabs are crowded to overflowing and the highways are an endless ribbon of traffic and a dogface doesn’t find it too easy to get around. And now around to Dad’s inimitable manuscript. Your business must be very good and I was certainly surprised to hear the amount of money that you grossed last year. It makes me feel very good. Why don’t you take a picture of the place with the new signs and send me one? By the way Jack and I took pictures and he will forward a set to you.

Bill Dick should be a good man to work for you. And with the landscaping and redecorating you are doing on the house, I can’t wait to see it and put out a tear or two just looking at home once again. I know it will be something to see. And I suppose that when the farm is fixed up that also will be quite a garden spot. I hope all your hopes about the war is true and I sometimes think that this thing may crack sooner than we anticipate, but on the other hand think it will take quite a while. I wish you and I could talk the whole thing over. The new furlough plan seems to (be) taking effect for the boys in the Aleutians and I’ll bet they are having a good time, but don’t get too optimistic about my chances for I can’t see anything in sight for some months to come. I had a very nice letter from Gram today and Dick and I both thought after we mailed the package that we didn’t send anything to Gram and Gramp and they probably felt a little put out but we will send them something and try to make up for it. I surely miss her and think she is very sweet to write when I know it must not be too easy for her. She is the most kindhearted and helping person, and I feel bad about not always treating her as I should have. Well, here’s another request. I want you to take some of my money and find me a good, waterproof, shockproof, and accurate wrist watch. One that I can wear anywhere and that can take a stiff beating. You will probably have to put out quite a little for one but I need one badly and I want one that I won’t have to worry about if I get it in water or in the mud or wherever else might happen. Well I think this is about enough and I have a lot to do so I’ll cut off about here. Seeing Jack and reminiscing brought both of (our) homes into clear focus, and we appreciate them much more than you think and know that never again will we hold some of the ideas we did when we were younger. Well, so long for now.

Love,

26 April 1944

Dear Folks:

Just finished house cleaning, that is reshuffling my footlocker and hope it will stay straightened up for at least a day. Then cleaned up my pistol and now am taking it easy listening to Bob Burns.

Last night went to see Dick and together we went to some wrestling matches and saw some great entertainment. Wrestling is a good show and full of laughs, and Dick about went nuts.

Last Sunday I took my friend from Coldwater, Kansas to church with me. The enclosed pamphlet was the program for the enthronization of the new bishop. This St. Andrew’s Cathedral is a very large and beautiful building with the chapel in the middle and a big wing on either side for clubrooms, etc. The service was very beautiful and typically Episcopalian. They have a large choir and a huge organ. In the crowd, a big one, was all kinds of (armed) forces and quite a few Japs. The Bishop talks like a forceful and effective man. The service was an hour and a half including communion which I took part in. After the service there was a serviceman’s lunch held in the spacious rooms. Wish I could go every Sunday.

I suppose you have seen the picture enclosed. The fellow is Lt. Eldo ‘Doc’ Blome who stayed in the same house in Lincoln. He was quite a pal of mine and I would give a lot to see him again. I hope the box has arrived and everything fits.

Well we still have blackout at ten and it’s getting around that time so better drop the curtain.

Love,

28 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I have just returned from pass. Have my shirt off and a beat up typewriter in front of me ready to start writing again. Well it has been eight days since my last letter and again you are probably wondering if I have been island hopping in the Pacific or whether something else has happened. The last week it was pretty impossible to write for I was taking some special training – and if I wasn’t too tired I didn’t have the time. I wished I could tell you all that happened and describe that week to you. Well as I said before I just came back from another day off in town so I’ll tell you what I did. I took some stuff in to the cleaners, then took in the eleven o’clock morning show at the Waikiki theater. The show was ‘Destroyer’ – not too good. Coming out of the show about one (o’clock) we decided we would eat a real Chinese dinner – a strictly first class one. So accordingly we found the most reputable place in town and ordered a four-buck affair. You remember that best selling book you told me about – the one about the Chinese family in New York? And how the author described a Chink meal as the best (in) the world? Well I didn’t think it was so exceptional but at least it was very different. If I can remember correctly we had chop suey, sweet and sour spareribs, shrimp, cold pork, rice, chicken morsels and perhaps a couple more dishes. I always wanted to eat a meal like that for the experience but I don’t think I’ll make a habit of it. Well the biggest part of the afternoon was ahead of us so we thought a look at the Iolani Palace might be worth the time and walk. Just recently they have begun to restore the throne room where King Kamehamaha and the queen ruled and that was the object of our sightseeing tour today. After the December 7 blitz such valuables as the crowns, chandeliers, rugs, drapes, and furniture were taken to the hills for safekeeping and just now they are being returned and restored as they formerly were. The job was about completed when we walked through. The building has all the artistry that is common to such places but the detail woodwork on the walls and the big chandeliers and fine furniture were especially interesting. But being a ‘dogface’ for quite a while and being somewhat isolated in our former station a look at such sights was somewhat of a treat. Well perhaps this is what you would call the second phase of our day off.

And as I did last pass day, I again went to the law library and browsed around. And then I thought perhaps this place might do me some real good so I spoke to the librarian and found that books could not be taken out but she gave me some good advice about making arrangements at the University (of Hawaii) to take night courses and promised she would find the necessary texts. But by now it was too late to go out there so that will be on the docket the next time. Well after looking around the Library of Hawaii we called it a day. This latter library is the largest one I’ve seen and I think it would compare to many of the best in the states.

On one of your recent letters you forgot to put an APO number on it and it was delayed a couple of days so they put a nice red stamp on it advising me to tell my correspondents my correct address. I know you just overlooked it. The package came the day I returned from the training. It was a very nice box and it is so heartwarming to get one. The ‘Russian’ peanuts are what I especially go for.

Yesterday, Sunday I was taking a snooze in the afternoon and someone grabbed me by the big toe. It was Dick who happened to stop by to find out when we could get together again. He told me he received his box too and was pretty pickled. He was in very good humor and looking rugged and healthy. I certainly hope as you do that we will have some time together but again as you say that is pretty improbable. We couldn’t get together today but hope we can soon. Although we don’t go out on pass so often he calls me up on the phone and occasionally finds time to stop in for a chat.

The affair with Wylma has been dormant for a long time since about a year ago I think or longer. Although I haven’t written her since that time I always think about her once in a while and wonder if she is okeh after all. Suppose she must be pretty tired waiting anyway and perhaps already has someone else. I figured this would go on for a long time, the war I mean, and romances don’t click under such circumstances.

Had a letter from Aunt Edna yesterday, a pretty long one, thanking me for the picture and writing about everything in general. Will probably answer it in due time.

Well I see the folks are once again back with you. I hope they find all the enjoyment in the world in their new place and that the weather doesn’t effect them too much.

I read in the papers today about the war situation and one person predicted an end in ’47. A prospect like that certainly bogs a fellow down and causes him to worry about the future. Sometimes you think what the hell, you’re losing a lot of your best time, you’ll have to start all over again when it’s over, and where will you be in say a year from now. I know you shouldn’t feel like that and always try to make the best of any situation but it’s pretty discouraging. If somebody hasn’t got the brains and the know how to stop all this crazy business then we better quit calling this a civilization. It doesn’t seem to me that people are getting smarter or more educated just better versed in how (to) beat out the other fellow and grab all you can.

Well I’ve written an unusually long letter for me and the news is about at an end so I think I’ll throw in the towel. You are certainly swell to write so often and they mean more than anything else. I know it must keep you pretty busy and you probably have all you can do anyway. So until next time –

Love,

25 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I’m so far behind in my writing that I hardly know what to write to start off. Recently I’ve had a change of station and that has meant a lot to do and little time to do it in. I suppose you have been wondering what has happened and maybe worried a little, but as a matter of fact I think this place is a better deal than before. Now I am where I can see Dick pretty often and call him up once in a while. Last Saturday I called him to make arrangements on a pass day, so Sunday morning he came around and we went to town and spent a civilian Sunday walking around the beach and looking at fish in the aquarium. He’s looking good and seems a little more talkative and lively than ever before. We heard a good band in the afternoon – Claude Thornhill. We talked about a lot of things and one of them was Phil. From what he told me there’s a little difficulty some place and I’m a little worried about him. I can imagine what you feel and know you wonder what to do about it. Also in Kate’s letter she mentioned it but made me promise that I would say nothing to you. I would be sick too if he should quit school to do what he has in mind, and I would do everything to keep him from it. Fellows on the outside see only one side of this military life and never hear of the other. I wish I was around to help you out. My spirits will drop a good deal if I hear that he has quit and taken the other road. I hope it isn’t as bad as I fear.

Around the lighter side – I have a new APO number now 958 and I’m on Oahu. Having visited here twice before on pass I was broke in a little and knew a little what to expect. The big city is a cauldron of fast moving traffic and big crowds of people hurrying to get someplace. With the…..cut out by the censor. Every bar, theater and café has a line in front of it with people waiting a long time for a little service, and it’s hard to escape the crowds no matter where you go. It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when everything was plentiful and all you had to have was the dough. But with all this activity we were moved into a quiet secluded cool spot that makes me forget once in a while that there is a war going on. This would be the spot for you Mom with the big trees and numberless shrubs everywhere. Adjacent to our area is a large open lawn space with a baseball diamond and volleyball court. Each afternoon we put in a couple of hours at volleyball and absorb a little sunshine. Yesterday while we were out the ‘Mars’ – the new flying boat that recently flew to Brazil and back – flew very low overhead and gave us a real idea of just how big it really is.

I did receive the packages from Colson’s and Carroll’s and I will answer them with a little letter if I can first find time to answer my ’must’ correspondence.

Tonight the open air theatre the local USO put on a variety act affair that to me was very boring and corny. The big part of it was hula dancing and that’s pretty tiresome by now. But there were girls in it so we had to go. Mentioning the Carroll’s, another change has taken place with Shirley now taken out of circulation. So she married a soljer? I hope she got out of the usual Carroll rut and picked someone with a little better prospects. Duane is pretty lucky to stay in the States and been near his wife and get home once in a while. If I am here much longer when people ask me…..(cut out by the censor) where I am from I will say the Hawaiian Islands, and strolling around the better sections of the big city that idea doesn’t sound bad.

You have been doing a good job of writing – all of you – and I especially liked your commentary on the Christmas holiday. I could visualize the whole affair and know having Stevie and Kate and Tom with you must have made the celebration especially happy. You can’t imagine how much Dick and I would have given to have been with you, and when we get back to the next (Christmas) it will have more meaning than any before. Everything I did as a kid and in school and later in Lincoln seems like a short dream I had last night after eating too much before going to bed.

I have the books with me after carefully packing them for the trip and I try to find time to study every day and I hope in the near future I can put things on somewhat of a schedule. Being here perhaps I can get a taste of things more urban. This month there is a symphony concert of 65 pieces and I want to hear it so darn bad. My experience with the Nebraska symphony is now a most valued experience and a cherished memory. The University of Hawaii is also here but probably I can’t do anything about that. Well I think I’ve said my speil for tonight and I hope you will forgive me for not answering as I should. Watch Phil and I hope everything works out to a happy solution. I’m glad you liked the picture – I thought it was pretty good too. Well goodnight – the time seems endless before I will be home.

Love,

Mom:

Advise Reader’s Digest of my change of address

10 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I’m going to the show in a little while but maybe I can hash up a letter before then. Yesterday the birthday box came and already I’m smoking one of the cigars and pretty good too. I can always imagine you packing it and fixing it up and every time I open one I get a lump in my throat. Occasionally I stoke up the pipe when it looks like a calm peaceful evening and I can relax on my GI innerspring. After sleeping on these narrow cots probably it’ll take some time to get used to stretching out. The nights are pretty chilly now and it takes all three blankets to keep warm. The seasons are about the same but right now ‘winter’. There is more rain and the waves come in a little bigger than in summer. When I get back home and think of this mild weather probably this place will be deep in my affections. Well what did you think of the picture? And by the way I have one more stripe than it shows. And have you received the ones of Dick and I? Last Saturday night was a little like one at home, at least more so than any before. Slicked up a little after supper, then went to the local dance and did more watching. These dogfaces and navy sure dance some wicked styles. I feel old fashioned. Already I’m beginning to feel like an ‘Army man’ with the three year mark right in sight and longevity pay coming in. What a change these past three years have been. Can hardly realize I’m actually a ‘soljer’. Next month or about February 5 you should get a check for $60 and if you don’t, let me know. Also I increased my bonds to 2 a month. Well that show is coming up in a few minutes and got to visit the PX first so I’m going to wind this up. Thanks again for the box. And by the way Dick and I sent a book. Never read it but it looked pretty good. Well goodbye for now.

Love,

6 December 1943

Dear Folks:

I want to see ‘Yank at Eton’ at the show but first better answer yours and Nancy’s letters. I know from the tone of your letter that you are becoming very concerned, especially about Dick but I believe that if you could see him now as I have, you would feel that he would take good care of himself. I can understand your references to Dick’s pictures. They do work hard and undergo strenuous training but it’s all for their own good. I know that the Army is broadening him and making him aware of things he didn’t realize before. Next Sunday I hope to fly over and spend five days with him. This time we will get the pictures you wanted last time. Guess, I didn’t mention Thanksgiving in my letters. We had everything and plenty to eat. After dinner most of us took it pretty easy and don’t think I didn’t spend minutes thinking about home. I don’t think I thanked you enough for the box you sent. The chain was the perfect thing—as a matter of fact I had lost my GI one a few days before so yours came at the right time. When the rush is over I will send you some things. Tomorrow my pictures will be done and will send them right away. I think they are pretty good too. The pictures of Dan and Carol are extremely good and I couldn’t help but think how fast and how much they have grown. Yesterday, Sunday, spent a full day and saw a good show. Went to the local football game that compares to the game on Thanksgiving at home. Before the regular game, was a duel between two barefooted teams, and then a kicking exhibition barefooted. They can kick a ball sixty to seventy-five yards. Dan should see them. Then a small airplane landed on the football field and presented the captains of the teams with the ball for the game. Anyway, I had a good time and lots of fun looking at the people and watching the cheering sections. Haven’t written to B. Emick yet but guess I ought to. Well, believe this is about enough for this time. Had my eyes examined today for a new pair of glasses—reading so much evenings puts a strain on them but they are not bad at all. Plan to have a bridge put in for the tooth I lost and the dentist, a civilian, says it will be about $30.00 so might have to ask for some more money. Well let’s make this goodnight and don’t you worry.

Love,

19 August 1943

Dear Folks:

Again I’ve let the time go by without writing you as often as I should and I hope you haven’t worried about it. Part of it was on account of the book that just came—the one you sent. I was on a hike when it came and when we got back I didn’t feel so good but the sight of the package on my bunk made me forget my physical ailments. So since that day I have read it some every night and when I get going on it, neglect to write as I should. I can’t tell you exactly how good I felt about getting it or thanking you for sending it, but I know I’ll always hang on to it as a treasure. And then besides occupying myself with the book we have our bridge games that are rapidly developing into teams of severe competition. I think my game is improving but you can test that when I get home. And golf is something again that I indulge in occasionally. Although my rounds aren’t so frequent we usually manage a nine (hole) about once a week, with rented clubs. I can’t help but remember the times when I so assiduously tried to be a golfer on the hometown course that was really little more than a glorified pasture. The first time I played on the course here I must have looked like an unconscious duffer in the movies. Some of the fellows on the course play without shoes, as they do everything else, and recently the winner of a tournament was a barefooted fellow.

Probably I’m an uncle now and the sooner the better. It’s a good feeling to know that the Moss’ are still growing. Katie hasn’t written for quite a while but then I don’t expect her to, I just want to get an announcement.

I hope you had a good vacation full of a lot (of) leisure, for you certainly deserve one if anyone does, and I hope in the future that you will both have your full share. We were talking about Denver in the billet the other night and nice to have someone else familiar with the place as I am.

This was Sunday but nothing unusual or much to write about. And thinking of church on Sundays, I must repay a visit to the Sisters at the convent. It has been sometime since I was there, but even though they do insist, I hesitate, I suppose for no good reason. The Father is a Belgian, a hearty, witty fellow, with a guttural booming talk, that always makes you feel that you are his best friend. The Sisters, via the grapevine I guess, became aware that I torture the fiddle a little and always attempt to force a number but I remain obdurate. Occasionally I go borrow the violin, but with no privacy, I keep pretty well in check.

One of the fellows in the billet is taking an extension course in economics and with him studying his subject and myself usually reading the law book, we are almost ready to inaugurate a study period. I think the promotion you mentioned will be forthcoming, as a matter of fact, I think it may be even better than that, and although my patience grows thin at times, I guess that is a perquisite to all of them. I believe this is all I (can) scrape together tonight, and I will write again soon. Thanks again for the book and now I’m itching for the next one to arrive.

Love,

23 February 1943

Dear Folks:

In going through these wee hours in the morning, halfway between sleep and a daze, and perhaps if I try writing I can keep awake better. Had a letter from you today and also one from Mrs. Lewellen, and I will answer hers soon. She said Jack was getting quite enough of rice and beans. I’m glad to hear you received the tray. You will begin to think I have a mania for necklaces if I send any more. They have the screwiest looking little hats over here and I want to send a couple to you before I leave the islands. In your next letter give me your head size Dad and then I’ll do some shopping. As long as you are prohibited from sending me anything, I will have a chance to even up the score a little. This is a very poor letter but I can’t seem to make any headway at all tonight. A sleepy goodnite and lots of love.

Love,

11 February 1943

Dear Folks:

Here it is another evening about through and no letter to you yet. There isn’t anyone around just now so maybe I can get the job done. Last night was the regular meeting and the time when the local talent gets up and does their song and dance. But last night there was something especially interesting—anyway it was for me. One of the officers has a powerful short wave radio and he brought it along to listen to a nightly broadcast direct from Tokyo. Since Guadalcanal has fallen into our hands it was especially revealing and contained the usual abundance of propaganda. Perhaps you would be interested in a few of the minor details. In the first place the announcer had a very good command of English and aside from the announcement and the tainted propaganda it sounded like any state station. Yesterday was the anniversary of the birth of the Emperors and subsequently the broadcast was full of the glory and promising future of the Nipponese. On the capture of Guadalcanal he said our losses in ships amounted to 117 (177?) while the Japs lost only 17. Among our casualties, they gave 7 aircraft carriers. The whole text was full of the invincibility of their forces. What was equally interesting was a short program of transcriptions made by American war prisoners and broadcast to relatives back home. The prisoner’s voices and the context sounded very much like a well worn set of phrases. In all cases they were entirely happy and talked of the splendid treatment from the Jap forces. Among other things the announcer orated on the happiness of the people relieved from British oppression, the poor job an American representative did of explaining our lack of success to the House of Representatives, and the great advances made in controlled territory. At the end of the broadcast he reiterated the Japs promise of complete domination over Anglo-Saxon peoples and lands everywhere. I was very interested in the whole program and finally had a first hand chance to hear some of their fantastic baloney. A little later, ironically, I returned to my billet and heard the US version of the fight and a stranger or anyone unknown to the action could never have guessed they were both on the same topic. Well so much from the mouths of Tojo’s hopheads.

I hope by this time you have received the small gifts I sent some time ago, and I’ll get the others that you wanted soon.

I hate to stop here because every time I write I feel like it’s sort of gas stove chat, but tonight I can’t find much to talk about. Instead of talking I’d like to sit down and work on the mountain of popcorn that was so frequent at home and the apple supply that never diminished. Believe it or not, our household conventions during the winter are what always stand out more vividly than anything else when I get to thinking what makes a home more than walls and a roof.

I guess I’ll have to shut off the faucet here—

Love,

26 January 1943

Dear Folks:

It took a lot of nerve for me to sit down and write you a letter after not writing to you in more than a week, and I know you must feel pretty anxious, and I haven’t any real excuse, I just didn’t do it. And I should have been especially prompt with letters this week. Katie and Tom sent me a whopping big box of cigarettes and a wedding picture, then there was the tobacco and pouch and pipe from you and the stationery, all this in addition to the mail. This is the first and last time such a delay will happen. I received your two page V-letter today. In your letter I recall something about some table napkins and a cover. I had been planning to get a set for you and I will do it next payday. I have seen plenty of nice ones and although some of them are pretty expensive, I’m sure I can get what I want pretty reasonably. I hope my taste don’t fail me. And I will write the letter to Mrs. Peters. I had intended to and I will and soon too. Bringing up rationing, perhaps I should send dad a couple of pounds of coffee. As far as I know, excepting gasoline, there is no food rationing although a supply might not always be available. I guess I did look pretty thin in the pictures and I have lost a little weight since I came home, but I still top a hundred forty. I have a few more pictures and I will send them in a separate letter. I have been getting the Presses and the Digest—it came yesterday. The V-mail supply was very welcome. Its use is advocated and encouraged but it isn’t easy to get very many sheets. Many of the guys don’t like it, but I do. I sent you a few things about three weeks ago and I believe I insured them. There was an India made tray and a necklace, if I remember correctly. I guess I’m getting near the end of the sheet so I better taper off. I’m really sorry for not writing sooner and I know and consider your feelings. It won’t happen again. Thanks isn’t near enough for what you just sent me but I’ll say it anyway.

Love,