Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 104

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

12/28/43
Letter No. 104
Rec'd 158

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I hope you all got a surprise when you opened your presents. Before you receive this letter I will have received your letter and I will find out.
Well I had a very Merry Christmas thanks to Tiny. I went up to Salem about 3 o'clock Fri. When I got there I called up Tiny and she came down to get me in her pop's car. Boy she's a good driver. We went to the house and I met her folks. They are very nice people. They have a beautiful home too. Her mother made my some eats for us which were very good. By gosh I had to watch my manners pretty close too. Which fork to use etc. But I made out OK. At night Tiny took me in the car to one of the hight hills & showed me Salem all lit up. After driving around town we went to the Catholic Church but found out they didn't have any midnight mass. We sent home and her mother fixed the davan (couch folded into a bed). and Tiny made a fire in the fireplace. Wasn't that nice. Her pop woke me up in the morning. He even offered me his electric razor. We ate breakfast & went to church and in the afternoon time showed me the town of Salem. (It's a good thing her pop had plenty of gas in the car.) You know Salem is the capitol of Oregon and they have a beautiful capitol building. As soon as I get some postcards I'll send them along.
For supper her mother made a turkey with filling. It was really swell. It was a swell second ma but I can still take those chickens & I can taste them and especially that filling. Don't forget to tell me about the meal you had.
I had a swell time Sat. night (25). In fact I think it's about the best time I had since I'm in the army. Tiny bought tickets to a formal dance and she also bought a black net formal. And boy did she look like a queen. Boy she looked sweet. And the dance was really swell.
Sunday morning we went to church again and in the afternoon we took a little ride and then we ate and I had to catch the 6 o'clock bus back to Eugene. It certainly was swell.
Tiny showed me her room and she has 13 certificates for National Piano Playing Tournaments and her mother said there are a few more around some place. She (Tiny) is one of six contestants in the whole U.S. that has held certificates for 6 years straight. Some stuff huh. She doesn't think anything of it though. It's just a pastime to her.
I received a package from the secretary over at John Thatcher's. She sent me cake, candy, nuts, handkerchiefs. That was pretty nice of her don't you think so.
I also got a box of Fanny Farmer candy from Aunt Margaret. Also a Christmas Card calendar. It was really nice.
I received the money order the day before Christmas. Thank Grandma & Dad for me Ma.
I saved your present till dusk (I mean yours Bob's & Ann's). It was really swell. The shirts fit me perfect and the ties are swell and wear well. The underwear fits me OK. Just that I had to move the button back on the shorts a bit but they're swell. Handkerchiefs, socks, candy, razor blades, shaving cream all come in handy. I guessed right when I guessed what was in the box that Grandma sent. I knew they were cherries.
The president of the University passed away last week and the whole university was shocked because he was so young, only 43. His name is Dr. Erb. He was from in Brooklyn.
This letter I meant to get off sooner but I had so much to say it took me a couple of days to write it. I know there is more to say but I can't think of them right now and if I do think of them I won't be able to get the letter off so I'll put it in the next letter if I remember some swell items. The weather is still mild. We still wear our flight jackets. I'll close now and will write soon again.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 103

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

12/19/43
Letter No. 103
Rec'd ---

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It is Sunday afternoon and Christmas is drawing close. For the Christmas holidays we will get Fri., Sat. & Sun. off. Tiny went home, to Salem, Thurs. Dec. 16 and has off until the 28. Her parents invited me up to their home for the holidays. They have a very large house in Salem. And it's only 70 miles to Salem from Eugene so that's where I will spend the holidays. Don't you think that's nice of them ma? Tiny's brother is a 1st lieutenant and he is going overseas on a special mission so he won't be home for Christmas so I guess it will serve more than one purpose. It will make me feel better eating with a family and it will make them feel better knowing we are all fighting for the same cause on this Christmas. Say ma, why don't you invite one of the service men up for Christmas. Wouldn't that be a good idea.
Tiny's father is a civil engineer so I guess I should get along with him alright. I hope I can use correct english at all times. I'll let you know how I make out?
I hope you got a Christmas tree ma, and I want you to tell me about how you fixed it up and what you all do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. OK?
I received your Christmas package and it was coming apart a bit. The next time you send me something I think you better wrap it a little more secure because it travels a long way. I took the package out of the box because the box was breaking. I put my watch on and it keeps perfect time. I think I can guess what the rest are and I want to thank you all a million times. I see Grandma got a present in too. And if I know Grandma, I think I know what it is. She's so sweet. I hope Grandma is alright now. Let me know real soon. OK?
I hope my package got there alright. Let me know as soon as you receive it. I send sister a birthday card and present. I was just thinking tho, that maybe she wouldn't receive it in time for her birthday. I should have sent it sooner. But if it doesn't get there in time you tell her that I am sorry but it's on its way. OK.
I got my marks. I got a B in Math, B in Physics, B in Chem., D in Eng., C+ in Speech, D in Hist., D+ in Geography, A in P.E., C in the Military. If you notice Math, Chem, & Physics count the most. It's above average.
I'll close now hoping you are all in the best of health and that you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and I hope you all like the presents. I know I will like mine & so until then I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Don't forget to give Grandma a big kiss for me on Christmas, ma.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 102

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

12/13/43
Letter No. 102
Rec'd 152, 153, 154, 155

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Here it is Monday the 13th of Dec. and we start our second term. It certainly was hard getting up this morning. We got new rooms assigned to us and I got a pretty good one again.
During the week I wrote Christmas cards to just about everybody I could think of. I hope I didn't miss anybody. I caught up on a few letters also.
I didn't do too much during the week. I was in practically every night by 10:30 as Tiny has to be in the sorority house by 10:30. Those are campus rules for the civilian students. One of the fellows and myself took a little trip out to the coast. It's only 60 [sic] to the pacific ocean so we thought we might as well see it. We hitch hiked to a small town on the coast named Florence. The town is about a block long. There was a coast guard station there so we went in & they showed us around and we went up into the tower and looked off into the ocean. It's a bit rough compared to the Atlantic. I threw a penny into the ocean for all of you so I guess you can make a wish. I also picked up some post cards which you can put in your scrapbook.
The next interesting thing that happened was--I was invited to a Christmas party Friday night. Tiny and her 3 roommates and the house mother and myself were the ones present. They had a little Christmas tree and all presents under it. And they all bought me something. I got two cartons of cigarettes, tobacco, aftershave lotion, and aftershave powder. I certainly was surprised. Tiny warned me ahead of time and I picked up a little gift at the co-op store. Tiny gave me her picture and I gave her a pair of rosary beads. We had cake & cokes. We had a swell time. Don't you think that was awful nice of them?
We got a new patch to put on our arm. Up until now they didn't have any insignia for the A.S.T.P. but they finally got one and it certainly is nice. It is blue and yellow and it has the cup of knowledge on it with a sword running through it. So soon as I get a hold of a couple more I'll send them home.
This term our subjects are Analytic Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, English, Mil. P.E. It's going to be a little tougher this term!
I received a money order and a Christmas card from Mr. Egerly. It was for $3.50. Who should I write to to thank. I don't believe he had his address on the envelope? It is I just looked.
I sent the package to you for Aunt Anna. It's bath salts and perfume. So will you please wrap it and give it to her? O.K.
I received my first Christmas Card from Grandma and Aunt Anna. I will thank Grandma & A.A. when I write.
Ma did you copy Joe D'Angelo's address down right? Being he is overseas I think there should be an A.P.O. No. Send it to me again O.K.?
Thank Boby for her letter. It certainly is good to hear from her.
I am glad you heard from Frank. I was getting worried. It's too bad everybody has colds. I got a touch of one myself but it doesn't amount even to talk about it. I hope you all get rid of them soon.
Oregon State College sent for the beaver R.R. express. It wasn't exciting as everybody thought it would turn out.
I do hope you get a tree this year ma. It wouldn't be Christmas ma without a tree. Would it?
I'll close now hoping everybody is in better health when you get this letter & I hope everybody is very happy.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Letter No. are OK.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 101

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

12/6/43
Letter No. 101
Rec'd 151

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well I'm a man of leisure for one week. It is Monday and we have the whole week to ourselves all but for one hr. of dull (every morning from 9 until 10).
We had 6 tests on Fri. and I hope to make out OK in them. I'm practically in 2nd term. In fact I guess I can say I'm in 2nd term although we didn't [have] any official notice, but they dropped all those that didn't make second term so I guess it's safe in saying so.
Sat. afternoon Tiny and I did our Christmas shopping and Sunday after church we wrapped them at Casablanca (Tiny's sorority house). I sacked them all in a box and sent them today by R.R. express so don't be surprised when a big box arrives. But remember one thing and that is DON'T OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS. I have a present for Aunt Anna which I couldn't fit in the box so I will send it to you and you can wrap it and give it to her at Christmas OK? I put Grandma's present with yours so you can put it under the Christmas tree. I am not going to tell anybody what I got for anybody else in the family so when each one opens there's it will be a surprise. OK?
Today I went downtown to get a few odds and ends, Christmas cards, etc.
I am up at Gerlinger Hall and Tiny is practicing on the piano for her finals which come up next week.
We went to the show yesterday and saw "Lily Mars" with Judy Garland and Van Heflin. I liked it a lot. I like to see Van Heflin ever since I saw "Johnny Eager." Remember him in that picture?
It's getting cold up here in the morning in fact I got pretty cold during that hr. of drill this morning. (I didn't have my overcoat on as we couldn't wear them) but it's still starting to snap up a little. The dew on the grass and roofs freeze over and it looks real nice and then the sun comes out and melts it. I don't mind it when it's cold as long as it doesn't rain.
I guess that's about all for now. I am answering all the letters I couldn't answer during the term and I guess that will keep my pretty busy. I just found out that some of the fellows that left on furloughs Sat. were stuck up in Portland because they missed their train by 10 minutes and had to wait 15 hrs. for the next train. That's how uncertain train riding is which means you need plenty of time when you travel. I hope Tony (my roommate) wasn't in that bunch that missed the train.
I'll close now wishing everybody is in the best of health and very happy.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Give Grandma my love & kisses.
P.S. #2--I am [glad] Boby liked her present. And that's very thoughtful of Al Lindner. He's very thoughtful isn't he.
I'm glad the roofer came to fix Grandma's roof.
If I find out the marks I got on the G.I. tests I'll let you know. The G.I. tests are marked by machines and they are graded by the no. right but will make those marks correspond to A,B,C,D,F according to their charts. I know I got A in Trigonometry but I don't know about the rest.

Dear Helen

Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of Oregon
12/3/43

Dear Helen,

One down and 5 more terms to go. Our term ended today with a strenuous week with, about 13 tests which made our heads whirl a bit. But being I'm still here I guess I made out alright. They certainly keep us busy from morning till night so during this one week off I have to answer about 30 letters I couldn't answer as yet.

Before I say anymore I must confess I started a letter as soon as I received yours but I never got a chance to finish it. But that's no excuse, I should have found time.

I don't want to say much about the unhappy incident, but I want to express my deepest sympathy. Yes Helen there is only one place and that is heaven and that's so easy to say knowing his family as I do.

And for the happy occurrence, your sister's baby reminded me of an incident that happened in my family about 20 years. When I was born, my Grandfather passed away in the same week. And when my mother was talking about it, she said they were more than happy when I arrived because it took their minds off the incident that they didn't want to happen. I hope it was the same for your family.

I hope your sister's baby isn't like the baby I was. I hear I was an awful pest.

The term was 3 months long and we have 3 terms in basic before we go to advanced engineering.

It certainly is swell here and it's so far from being like the army that if I would ever flunk out it would be just like leaving home again; for the army. But I'll try to stay here as long as possible being I am learning something, getting actual credits, and having a good time besides. I guess it's unbeatable for the army. huh?

The "Hello Dance" was a sure success and we had a swell time. The boys in the unit here formed a band and from time to time they give dances and "Jive" concerts whenever they can get the gym. The sorority houses on the campus are always inviting the boys over for dances. Last week they gave four dances and we had a rare time. I spend my weekends at the "Casablanca Lodge Sorority House." It used to be a fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega) but being there aren't many boys on the campus the girls took over.

The boys also organized a football team. They had several games on Sat. afternoons which were quite exciting.

About 3 weeks ago, Marjorie Lawrence, the noted Metropolitan Opera star, came to the campus and put a swell opera on. There is usually something happening when it comes to the weeks end.

It was really funny last weekend. I was invited to the sorority house for dinner. Just me and another fellow was there and about 40 coeds and if you think it was easy sitting there--well anyway I certainly felt awkward. That will be the last time I accept a dinner date although it was a lot of fun.

We get one week off but only 7 days is not enough to go home so I will try to amuse myself here. I have plenty to do at any rate. Christmas shopping & letter writing etc.

I think I talked enough about me so will change the subject. How are you and how is everything ticking way out there in the middle states?

The weather out here is still mild. At first we had plenty of rain but for awhile now the weather has surprised just about everybody and it's really nice.

I hope I hear from you soon again and when you do't hear from me so soon I hope you will understand and just drop a postcard once in awhile, OK. I think in the new year's resolution I will put in one to have a petition signed by all the boys to the army personnel to give us a period during the day for writing letters. But you know the army, so.....

I certainly liked the compliment at the bottom of your letter "Lt. A.J. Curcio." It sounds good but I think it's quite a ways off yet. Still your the only that mentioned it. You certainly have originality anyway.

I'll close now hoping you are in the best of health and very happy and hope you have a real good old fashioned holiday spirit like the kind I dream of that gets me so homesick. Be good and give your family and the little baby my best regards.

Sincerely As Ever,

Tony