Pass Archives - Moss Letters

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,

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,

17 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I think I can stay within my schedule and still get a letter written to you – anyway I’ll try it. I try to break the evenings up into some sort of a schedule in order to insure getting done the things I want to. So far it’s worked pretty good and sometimes I have to overlook a bridge game and that isn’t always easy to do. Well yesterday I went on pass and once again saw something that I hadn’t seen before. On the way back from Waikiki we stopped at the municipal buildings and had a look at the local government offices. Felt like a civilian. In one of them was the courtrooms, law offices and the usual embellishments and that interested me so we looked around. Even walked into the Supreme Court chambers. Something awesome and quiet about the empty rooms that made you feel good that there were still public courts still in this country where an accused can get a hearing. Well after this we nosed around like a pair of hillbilly sightseers and finally stumbled into the law library. Boy what a layout and what a world of legal knowledge and education. Wish I could use the books. The place was empty so we took our time and pulled out volumes here and there. Found some on Nebraska and then Minatare didn’t seem so far away. Across the avenue was the Iolani Palace where King Kamehameha used to live so we went over there. But the place was locked up so couldn’t see much. Looked pretty good from the outside though.

For a couple of hours in the afternoon slept in the sun on the beach. Except on Sundays, the beach (is) very crowded but there are always a few fellows surf riding out about two hundred (yards) off shore. But that’s about all the beach is good for because the bottom is covered with coral formations and rocks. The water is pretty shallow and that is what causes the waves to roll in without breaking up. When I used to see pictures of them at home I wondered how they kept from drowning but you can wade out for probably three hundred yards without getting in water over your head.

Regardless of all the ration talk and shortages it still is pretty easy to get a good dinner and not outrageous either. We ate on a terrace overlooking the water and I had a sirloin steak with all the good trimmings. This about ended up for the day so after an evening show we headed back. This was the first time I’d really been out after blackout and to see so many lights shining again was a treat. After living in a blacked out country for quite a spell the auto and store and street lights was a sight for sore eyes.

Well my time is running short – that schedule you know – so I better begin tapering off. Dick was supposed to go with me yesterday but he couldn’t get off so probably he will come around Sunday.

Love,

10 February 1944

Dear Dad:

I just received another of your inimitable letters and it came at a most welcome time. My head is still going round like a merry go round. I have been very busy the last few days and just now has the volume of work begun to slacken off a little. But working like this makes the time slip by almost unnoticed. When I realize how long it has been since I’ve eaten a Moss meal, I appreciate that fact, more than ever. But maybe that’s because I’m older. I can remember when I couldn’t wait another day until I was old enough to have a bike and then later on to drive an automobile. But now here I am having gone through both and wondering what I’ll be doing when I’m forty or fifty.

I think if I take another look at your letter I can stretch this one out a little longer. Every time you say something about the cold weather and the snow, I have to pause and remember that in some places there actually is weather like that. Every afternoon around three the office knocks off for a little volleyball game on the big rambling lawns that are near our area. We’re getting pretty brown from it and we feel pretty good after sitting down all day. Last night we gathered together our best forces and had a game with some Hawaiian civilian boys and took a good beating. We played after supper with the little gathering there. It reminded me of a twilight softball game like we used to have. There was a few good-sized ‘wahines’ there together with some men playing poker on a little grass mat. They sure take life easy and are so darned good natured and hospitable. They’re pretty fat and look sloppy but you overlook that. The boys beat our pants off – they can hit a ball from any angle.

Dick and I went out together on pass last Wednesday and looked around for the shells but couldn’t find any this trip. But we’ll get them. I bought Mom and Nancy each one of those handkerchief affairs they wear over their heads and better get them mailed tonight. Dick and I are very lucky to be so near to each other but I think your summarizations are pretty correct. What did you think of the Marshalls episode? Boosts your morale up for a while and makes you a little more optimistic. There is a lot of talk around in the papers of troop rotation and furloughs but I don’t put much faith in any of it. All of it is so contingent upon other things that is seems pretty remote. Guess I’m getting used to waiting. I know what the deal on the bond allotment is. I had an allotment for that amount and it was automatically stopped in favor of a new plan so that represents the money not applied on a new bond. Hope you received the sixty bucks instead of the usual thirty-five.

Most of the civilians at home get a pretty good tongue lashing from the fellows – and especially the strikers. Boy what they wouldn’t do for them. I guess that shows that they didn’t realize what a swell place the ‘old country’ was until they had to leave it. Any little old corner of the states would satisfy most of us. But this business of laying off work sure raises the hair on us when we hear of another fifty thousand or so because they can’t get enough to have all they want. I think the situation is pretty lopsided too. Everyone whether he’s over here or back there is in the same kind of job and if he has to take bad breaks that’s just tough.

Well I’m going to do some studying for a while and the evenings are very short so I’m going to throw in the towel about here. The friend in Washington sent me another book a few weeks back and it’s full of interest so got to get busy on it. I have a little room by myself now and can setup books and spend a profitable evening with them. I think your sentiments are the best in the world although they aren’t expressed in the language of Longfellow, which is the least important part.

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

26 December 1943

Dear Folks:

Regardless of what I have to do I’m going to get a letter off to you today. I think this is the third one I’ve started. And I have quite a bit to write about this time, at least it’s pretty good. In the first place, another Christmas and another birthday have come and gone. The night before Christmas we played bridge, had some cheer, and listened to Roosevelt’s speech. But the real surprise and a most welcome present came at reveille when the commanding officer announced that I was promoted to technical sergeant. It was entirely unlooked for and made my whole Christmas day very happy. At noontime the commanding officer had the first three graders in his quarters for a round of drinks and some toasts to the new year. The drink whetted my appetite and of course later we had the customary meal for the GI epicureans. In the evening I went to a dance in town and there finished off a swell day. Also had a turkey dinner in a hotel. As long as I couldn’t be home, the day couldn’t have been a better one for me. But Christmas eve and the next day I think everyone was doing a lot of thinking about how nice it would be to get home for a while and wonder what the folks were doing and how they were spending their holiday. I hope that next year will bring the war a lot closer to the finish but I’m still pretty pessimistic about an early end. But let’s hope Dad’s predictions come true. And also I wondered how Dick was enjoying his day. I imagine he also had a good time.

When I returned from my pass I had a batch of letters to read and answer and some papers to read. I’m still trying to catch up. I didn’t send many (Christmas) cards this year. Received several from the Lewellen’s, Mrs. Conklin, Sandison’s and some others.

I hope my picture will reach you before long. I couldn’t find a suitable frame for it but hope that you will put one around it. I think it’s a pretty decent one. I will send on to Gram and one to Kate too.

Had my eyes rechecked recently and will soon get two new pairs (of glasses).

Well I hope you and the family had a merry Christmas and had all you could eat. Christmas is a pretty sentimental time when you are so far away from home and I was no different. But I always hope and know that when we all are together again, we will appreciate Christmas more than ever

Love,

20 September 1943

Dear Folks:

After that punitive letter I wrote yesterday, and the one I got from you today, I guess you well deserve another one immediately. For some reason your letter seemed to reflect a low spirit and maybe a little worried. I also have not heard from Dick for a month or so, but I thought he would write you regularly. I think it’s more this attitude than anything else. You know he never concerned himself too much with such matters. I will write him immediately and see what the score is. No, I don’t think it would do any good to send smokes to Dick—he never smoked any during our visit and I don’t think he does now. I know I should write you often to relieve your anxiety and although I don’t realize it as much as I should, I can imagine how you feel when no letters come. Of course it’s pretty verboten for me to express any opinions as to what may be in store but for the present things look pretty routine.

Only a little while ago I returned from pass but after spending the morning in town, gave it up for a bad job and came back to read and sleep. I make a daily effort to read at least two hours and I believe the result is definitely beneficial. The town seems pretty dead and I swim enough on Sunday afternoons.

I hope you don’t go to any great deal of trouble to find something for Christmas because there are so few things that I need or can use. I do remember one thing that you mentioned—and that was a ring. You always wished I had a good one.

‘Panama Hattie’ is at the theater tonight so better go. Our ‘theatre’ looks like an old gay ninety ‘bowery’ with the Hawaiian girls and signs painted on the walls. Something like the old curtain the Aladdin used to use.

Your letter seemed to touch me quite a bit, I don’t know just how but you all seemed pretty close when I read it. You are so good about everything, and I often feel that I haven’t done as well by you as I should have.

I can’t figure you out not liking avocadoes, because it seemed that I was always the one to turn down your inventions in the way of salads and new dishes. I like them very much and usually have some at dinner and supper. Yes, we use mess kits and I guess I’m like Dick in wanting to sit down at a table with a tablecloth and the food in bowls. And another pleasing prospect will be to use a tile bathroom again instead of the community stable that puts up a stifling stench to say the least. And we have chicken, usually on Sundays although the cooks, in my opinion, lack plenty in the way they prepare it.

I wish you (could) see the sunset as I see it now. The sky is aflame with purple and red setting down on the hills and the ocean. And to think that on the other side of that body of water is the mainland – ho hum. From the papers it looks like Duane C is receiving a round of good times on his furlough. I wonder if Margy is getting any fatter or more ill shaped. I hate to speculate on what our first reunion will be like, or maybe on the other hand the habits of the Army of sitting around in the evenings and chewing over the day’s business, will prevail, who knows.

Well it’s getting show time and my news line is exhausted so it’s so long until the next one.

Love,

28 July 1943

Dearest Folks:

I just returned from pass a few minutes ago but unlike most of the others this day was considerably more profitable. I slept during the morning then went to the USO only a few miles away. The place was fixed up by a few well-do-do women in the western motif, which is very clever and homelike. Probably you don’t know that the island was several large ranches and the cattle raised a sizeable industry and income. As I stayed there awhile I met one of the elderly women and we entered into a conversation, and which I later put to my benefit. My inclination for reading books such as I told you about is growing so I requested that woman’s help and through her I met Judge Case who is most cooperative and over anxious to give me whatever help he can. But what I want is some books of my own and I don’t think that will be too difficult now, however don’t fail to send the two volumes that you mentioned and the quicker the better. Probably my effort will yield little results and I may not always carry on with it, but it’s a cinch it will do no harm. But I made a valuable contact today and if I make proper use of it I can do myself a lot of good.

Had a very verbose letter from Gladys Davis today—she is in the middle of the matrimony stream and doesn’t know which bank to go to. And at the same time she gave me some advice about Wylma and what I should do after the war, and it was pretty sound and sensible. She wants me to come back to Lincoln and get back into school and get a degree and I agree with her. My ideas on that remain the same and if there is any normalcy to conditions when I come back, I hope I won’t follow another course. Incidentally I hope Gladys goes through the wedding process now, or I’m afraid she never will.

Dad’s letter came a day or two ago in your peculiarly and distinctive interpretation of grammatical construction but nevertheless a lulu in the other respects. I hope everything is well at home—although you only mention the sunnyside I hope the other side is also as well. Some of the new fellows in the outfit remark about conditions on the mainland and although I allow for some exaggeration I always hope that all is well with you.

I thought President Roosevelt’s speech was an excellent one, as most of his usually are. Some things were straight forward and definite and his plans for the aftermath especially were important and well on the way to reality. Such a plan strikes me as a good solution for the change over and a cushion for the changed conditions, which will be great. Anyway I felt encouragement and determination from it and feel all the more confident that the world won’t be a worthless scarred ruins when all is over.

Well the show begins in a few minutes and we have special entertainment from the big city tonight so hadn’t miss it. Adios for a while.

Love,

21 July 1943

Dear Folks:

Just finished reading two issues of the Free Press which always requires my undevoted attention whenever they come. I think the new column about servicemen is a pretty good thing – I wonder where the fellows are sometimes. I see my old sidekick Bill Emick is at Stinsom Field. It seems that in every issue and in every letter I get from you someone else is getting a furlough, or coming home for some reason. How I would like to be one of them and walk down the main street again and see the new Moss manor. I always must remind myself that it can’t last forever.

Last Saturday night had the privilege of a twenty-four hour pass. The Chaplain secured a hotel room for me which was a nice one and well equipped. I took advantage of the situation and slept very late in the morning that reminded me of civilian days and weekends. I’m afraid that from my letters you might adopt the impression that I am having more or less of a vacation over here and having an easy life in the sunshine and the hospitality of the tropics, but this is hardly the case. What I do on pass day is about the only subject I can think of to do any writing about and you might think that this is my main diversion. But there is a lot more to it than that – I’ll have to tell you about that when I get back.

Yes, Dick and I will have many pleasant memories when we get home and what we did on our meeting will be one of them. No, I still haven’t heard from Dick. As for the money getting here too late—everything turned out fine. I made (a) loan and we had more money than we could spend.

I would like to inquire about the book again and I hope that you have met with success in finding it. Reading is the best way I know to spend the idle hours and I’m becoming very interested in this subject.

I’m not very newsy or verbose and not much in the mood to attempt to write a good letter, so hold on till the next one. I hope I may have some good news soon.

Love,

26 June 1943

Dearest Folks:

I think this is the letter that you have been waiting for because I will tell you about my visit with Dick. We were very fortunate from start to finish on arrangements. I arrived Monday morning and his pass started the same day and he ran across the drive in front of the YMCA to meet me. Immediately we found a couple of easy chairs and talked about many things most of them about home. He really looks in the pink—much better than I ever saw him. I made arrangements to stay at a military establishment that is run like a hotel and is a swell place for a vacation, not to mention the low cost. Again we were lucky for he got a bed next to mine so we were together all the time. I was there for three full days and during that time we knocked all over town and did about everything, and did something that neither of us had done before. We rented surfboards at the famous beach and had a real morning of excitement and thrills. Riding a surfboard is beautiful to watch but not easy to master. About all we could do was hang on when a wave hit us and hope the board didn’t get away. I got a little worried about Dick and sent a guy out after him but he was alright and having a great time. Dick got his legs sunburned and I got pretty red myself but not enough to be uncomfortable. Besides going to the beach we saw shows, roller skated and took in a couple (of) dances. Of course the army has many clubs and entertainments which are all very good but at the same time every place is crowded with soldiers. And all the time we took a lot of pictures everywhere we went which will probably give you a better idea of the place. Dick will send them to you when they are finished.

We had such a great time together that I knew it was going to be tough when my boat sailed. In the morning early he went to the pier and our goodbye was brief, neither of (us) wanting to show any signs of weakening. It was hard to say goodbye knowing that the next time we would be together would probably be home. Dick seemed to be very happy, in good spirits generally. I know you worry about him but his level headedness will keep him safe and I know we’ll both be home perhaps sooner than we think.

The trip was a good vacation although the boat ride both ways kept me on a bed to keep from getting sick. There was a real bond between us that I hadn’t noticed before and he was as eager to talk about home as I was. The big city is seething with war workers and servicemen and the streets and shops are crowded so that you wait in line for about everything. Then about five o’clock the streets are almost entirely deserted, as if the people had been shadows a little while before. I spent quite a while in a big bookstore and saw plenty that I wanted to buy but didn’t because I would have no place to put (them) when I (was) finished with them. My footlocker is filled with books now, however I did buy a couple.

Probably the only good thing about returning was the mail that was waiting. I see that I owe Nancy a couple and one to Phil and I will answer them. Dick told me how they are both growing but I suppose even with my imagination I couldn’t really picture them as they are. Perhaps in my next letter I will think of some things that have slipped my mind, but for the meantime, I’ll call this sufficient and write again real soon. All your letters make a world of difference—a difference I couldn’t imagine without them.

Love,