World Series Archives - Moss Letters

8 October 1943

Dear Folks:

First off I am in receipt of the letter about Stephen and besides being a big relief I’m sort of proud of my new title of uncle. I hope Katie gets along alright and the baby gets fatter and louder. Well, being away at a time like this is another good reason for my hating the Japs. I can’t very well imagine Katie with a baby in her arms and now I’m the more curious to see Tom.

And secondly (I have to enumerate the things I’m going to say in my mind) our battery stepped out to a dance last night. It was the second such battery dance since I’ve been here and this one was a big success. The boys spent a lot of time getting the hall ready and taking care of miscellaneous ends and they did a great job. And the biggest problem, the matter of getting enough girls, was even solved successfully. I ran into three Chinese girls whose names were Miss Chan, Chang and Ching (to give you an idea of the company I was in). I had a swell time besides eating cake and drinking coke all night.

Now that I have covered these few points I was going to write about I don’t (know) where I’ll go from here. Tonight was the weekly concert attended by a few civilians including a couple of stuffed dowagers who did more talking than listening. Listening to the concert we usually sit under a big avocado tree and the falling avocadoes are sometimes dangerous, and ripe mangoes literally cover the ground.

Of course every morning we like millions of others listen to the World Series game that begin over here at seven forty-five. And by the way, I’m still a Yankee man.

My job seems to keep me very busy and sometimes it gets a little monotonous but as I said before, it’s a good job and attended with a few advantages. One of the battery clerks was formerly from Omaha and occasionally we can recall something that was familiar to us both. And another of the clerks is a colored boy from Harlem. But the evenings are never long enough and it seems that something comes along about every night to keep me from studying as much as I would like to. Lights are out at nine-thirty which makes time pretty short. I think the boys are about as news minded as any in the outfit and we have our billet wall papered with battle maps to follow the communiqués closely. Of course we do a lot of talking about the progress of the war and not infrequently about the aftermath and what to expect when we come home. Sometimes I get a little depressed about it and wonder if I will ever attain what I started in school. But I cannot put (it) effectively on paper as I think about it so that’s enough of that.

Before I close I want to repeat about how happy I am for Kate and Tom and how much I wish I could see all three of them.

Well let’s call this quits—

Love,

9 February 1943

Dear Folks:

I have one of those seldom felt feelings that so rarely finds itself with me and that is to write and write some more and make a night of it. But sadly there isn’t much to put down so perhaps my ardor will diminish before very long. I bought another picture that was taken while Joe Brown was here. I believe this shot was taken when he was doing a caricature of Hitler. The picture gives a stage door view of our plush lined, soundproofed theatre. I believe you can spot me hugging the far left edge, and I was really much happier than the camera shows. Everyone in the shot looks pretty happy and he did make a real hit. Also a few days ago I sent you a Honolulu paper as a matter of interest, but I haven’t found the bridge set yet but I’ve just started to look.

Last night I saw ‘Kings Row’ and in my estimation it lived up the billing I had heard previously. A lot of good lessons in the show other than the story itself. The newsreel showed the final game of the World Series.

I had another red letter day on mail getting about five or six including one from Gladys Davis and Wylma whose correspondence is steadily increasing. And now I am this far (and) I am stumped for anything else. I hate to stop here because I know you want me to write about a lot of things you want to know and must wonder about but I’ll have to have something to talk about when I get home. I’m really very fine and think the climate is the best yet. It looks like this is the best I can do tonight.

Love,

31 January 1943

Dear Folks:

Now is a swell time to get off a few lines to you when everything is quiet and another day is done. As usually happens I just got back from the show and saw a World Series game in the newsreels. Today was Sunday but I spent most of it behind a typewriter or in the office. It was a beautiful day to get out with a camera but I didn’t but in lieu of that, here is a picture that was taken when Joe E. Brown was here last week. Of course you can spot him in the center and if you look close in the left upper corner you can see me. I’m standing almost in front of the guy with the open jacket. I think it is a good shot don’t you? The portion of the building in the center background is our projection booth.

In a couple of days I will be on pass and will get the table set you mentioned. I’m glad my bonds have been arriving. I was beginning to get a little worried. Soon I will send you a Honolulu paper. Perhaps you would like one and on the other hand, maybe you can get a little more scope of the islands. I hope you have received the other things by now.

I really can’t think of much to write about except anything very perfunatory (?). Today we had a very swell dinner centered around delicious ham. Last night I attended a party at my old battery and was even called upon to give a speech. It was a good deal with lots of beer and the other accessories of cheese, etc.

Guess this is quits tonight. Wished I could think of something to end this properly but I can’t, but I do think about you all the time.

Love,

3 October 1942

Dear Folks:

While I’m killing time until chow I might as well be writing you a paragraph or two. Yesterday was riding around in a jeep in town on various errands and tried to find something suitable for you but the stocks are so limited and with the short time I had came, back empty handed. Hope I get a pass soon. Listened to the third game of the World Series this morning—still pulling for the Yanks. We have a day room, or a blackout tent, now that gives some diversion after hours, stocked with Red Cross books and magazines. That reminds me don’t forget the Free Press. Read the one in the box. I’m fine and not in the least worried or downhearted. Don’t get that way. It isn’t all agreeable but then should it be?

Love,

30 September 1942

Dear folks:

Perhaps I’ll have time to write you a few lines while I’m not doing very much. Had another letter from you today—have had quite a few since I’ve been here. Today is payday and the World Series starts—have been listening to a little of it. Nothing much to write about—pretty hot—haven’t been out of camp on a pass for a couple of weeks. Got your box okay. Been feeling pretty optimistic the last few days over the war situation—feel like it will be over in another eight or nine months. I really do. I have been writing you almost every other day so you should have some of my mail by now. The next time I get in town I’m going to buy some Xmas presents—lots of things Nancy and Dan could go for. I’m feeling darned good and think the Army is going to fix my broken tooth. Will write tomorrow.

Love,