Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 123

4/24/44 
Letter No. 123

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

This is just a short note to let you know that I am very busy, not working too hard, but just busy.  I got a pass to Los Angeles over the weekend & if things go all right I'll get to see L.A.  I'll write early next week and let you know the whole story.  I received your swell letter, also one from Ele and will answer them then.  I am fine and I hope everything is the same [at] home.  Until then I remain, 

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S.  Tell Grandma also.  OK.

P.S.  Ma could you send me some air mail stamps.  The post office is only open in the day & I can't get to it.  I'll send money as soon as pay day comes.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 122

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 
4/23/44 
Letter No. 122
Rec'd  4/18/44

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It is Sunday night and I just got off an easy day of K.P.  Sunday is always easy.  I received your letter of April 18 and it took about 4 days to get there.  I thought it was pretty good.  I am glad my mail gets there that fast too.
Don't forget to let me know what Dr. Trombly [?] says.  I am very anxious to hear.  I am glad you got out to the show.  Try to get outdoors as much as possible.
Last week Tiny was busy and couldn't write but I thought there was something wrong so I sent her a telegram like I did you.  But she was all right.  I guess maybe I jumped to too many conclusions in a hurry.  Huh?  She is making out ok.  I am glad you all are writing to each other.  It makes me feel happy.  Tiny said she was more than pleased with your letters and enjoys writing to you.  I hope you both continue, and Barb too?
I just can't wait to till mail call comes everyday so I can receive your letter ma and I feel so relieved when I receive them.  I think they are really swell ma.
As for my birthday ma there is really nothing I need.  If you want to give me money you can start a bank account for me. Also one that you can draw on too if that is possible and then in case you should need it you can get it readily.  Tiny is also going to save some for me.  We made that little agreement before I left the University.  I think it's a good idea, don't you?  I will be able to send some money home again now that I am at a camp like I did when I was at McChord Field.
We haven't did too much with the tanks since my last letter but I found out that there is a lot of work to be done on them.  But I like to work on them.
I am glad Grandma is alright and I am glad she went to the show also.  So Grandma having any trouble with the house?
As soon as I get a little time I will send home my tooth.  That sounds funny.  Doesn't it?
The weather is a bit misty out today but the sun is usually out.  I guess the only thing you can get here is windburn although this past week we felt the sun a little bit.
I'll write soon again as soon as I get a chance.  Hope everybody is in the best of health.  Give Grandma my love and kisses.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S.  Feo is at Westover Field Mass.  He is getting his crew and will go over pretty soon.  I will enclose a picture of him.  Then you can send it back.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 121

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 
4/19/44 
Letter No. 121
Rec'd  2 letters not numbered

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I finally got a chance to write letters so here I am at the Service Club.  I was all set to write a letter last night but they told me I had to make up a little work that the other boys had already.  Well that's the army.
I got two letters and they are really swell.  (I hope you put numbers on the next one ma).  It will be swell if Frank can come home in 6 months but don't count on it.  If he does come home I don't think I would have any trouble to be there for the wedding.  I think it's a perfect idea.  In fact there is nothing I would want to see more than to see Ann & Frank get married.  But as I said before don't count too much on it.  You remember last time when you thought he would be home for his birthday.  Remember it's still the armed forces.
I got a slight cold but I cam getting rid of it.  I put that old favorite "Vicks Vaporub" on and it works like a charm.
Monday we went out in the tanks on a problem and I enjoyed it an awful lot.  I like to be outside all day, and Monday it wasn't so breeze and we felt the sun for a change, and believe me it feels good.
On Tues. we took the tanks out and got more driving lessons and the more we drive them the more I like them.  And when we drive in different formations we get commands over the headphones.  And I get such a kick out of it.  It's really swell.
The weather was a bit [?] today although it didn't rain.
I sent the package out ma so it shouldn't be long before you get it and I hope you like it.  I thought it was so cute.
I am going to send my watch home in a little while because I don't want to break it.  That is not a watch for this sort of work.  I almost broke it a few times already.  So to play safe I'll send it home.  When you sent it to me how much did you insure it for?
How is everybody making out?  Tell Ele she can let me know how the Dodgers are making out from time to time.  I don't look at the paper too much and the sports page isn't too good either.  OK.
Take care of yourself now, ma, and write as often as you can even if it is only about a new gold fish or something.  As long as it's from you ma that's all that matters.  I'll write soon again.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S.  Ann, I gave most of the cards away and all the fellows just raved about them.  They all thought they were so keen.

T.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 120

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 
4/16/44  Sun.
Letter No. 120
Rec'd

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It is Sun. night and I am at the service club writing letters.  I was in Santa Maria last night and I sent a telegram as I didn't receive a letter since I received your card on Thur. and was getting a little worried.  I received your telegram this afternoon and was so happy to receive word so soon.  It made me feel so good everything was OK. and a letter was on its way.
The past few days we didn't do much.  Sat. we went to the firing range and fired the carbine for the first time and guess what I got?  Well you needed 9 out of 24 to qualify and I got a perfect score of 24.  Ain't that swell.  I felt so good.
Fri. night I went to the post theatre and saw "Ladies Courage[ous]" with Loretta Young.  It was about women pilots flying planes to difficult places.  It was very good and Loretta did a swell job as per usual. 
I went with one of the boys into Santa Maria last night as I mentioned before, and we went to the show and saw "None Shall Escape."  It was about the trial of the Nazi prisoners after the war.  It certainly worked you up a bit like all the rest of the pictures with Nazi brutality.  It was a good picture.  
We weren't so fortunate last night as when we got to the U.S.O. all the beds were sold out.  So we still slept in the U.S.O., but on the floor.  It wasn't at all bad tho as I used the cushions from the chairs.  We are allowed to do that, they ever have a sign hanging up saying so.  The U.S.O. is really a good deal.  They try to help us in every way possible.
Sunday morning we went to that sweet little church again.  Boy that certainly is an unusual parrish.  He didn't mention one word about money.  Do you agree with me?
We came back for 12 o'clock chow.  It was pretty good.  
While I as in Santa Maria I picked up a little something, sort of an additional birthday gift.  I wanted to send you something from here.  I thought it was so cute and I just know you'll love it.  And you'll never guess in a million years what it is.  Do you want to make a bet?
Tiny liked her present an awful lot and she just raved about the handkerchiefs.  She said they're too beautiful to use.  She is going to use them to show people instead.  She liked the pin too and she said she was going to buy a dress to show off the pin.  How do you like that?
The wind here is really terrific.  You have to hold on to your hat like a girl does.  But the sun is always shining.  I only wish I could feel it once in a while.
I guess you'll tell me just about everything in your letter so I won't ask any questions yet.  Is the little mut, I mean Sandy, still ripping apart things?  And has he learned that the gutter is the proper place?
I hope everybody is in the best of health and when you write Mom let me know how Grandma is, OK?  I'll write soon again and send off the package as soon as I can.  And please, ma, don't get impatient waiting for it, but I guess you will wait in suspense anyway, but I bet it will be worth it.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

xxxxx

 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 119

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 
4/12/44
Letter No. 119
Rec'd

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I wish I would get a letter telling how you are Ma.  I guess I'll get a letter real soon but I am waiting impatiently.  No doubt you are 100% better but I just want to see it in writing because I know it will make me feel so much better.
I had K.P. yesterday and it wasn't at all bad.  I got off at 7 o'clock.  You just had to take your time and part of the time we didn't have anything to do.  All in all it was pretty easy.
Last night my wisdom tooth ached so I went on sick call this morning and I have to report back this afternoon and he is going to pull it.  They say the wisdom teeth aren't of any use anyway.  When I continue to write again, I mean later in the day, I will tell you how I made out.  It is just about time for chow at 12 noon so I'll sign off till later on in the day.
It is now right before chow again (5 PM) and I got my tooth pulled.  It didn't hurt but it is still bleeding a little.  I guess it will be alright.
I wanted to write a lot more but we are going on a night march which will take till about 10 o'clock at least.  So I'll continue this letter tomorrow if I don't get a chance after we come back.
I got one card today and guess who it was from?  OK.  Gosh you knew it all the time.  It was from you Ma & the saying inside was really swell.  Thanks mom.  So long until tomorrow

Love

Tony  

4/13/44 Thurs.

I'll continue where I left off last night.  We went on a night problem last night and it wasn't a road march after all.  It was pretty easy.  All we had to do was set up a position and just wait until another company located us.  We were taken out in trucks to different points.  While we were waiting we talked & the lieutenant told us different experiences of his.  I got a kick out of the whole thing.  When we got back about 10:15 PM we had coffee & cake in the mess hall.  Then I took a shower and had a good night's sleep.  My tooth cavity (where the tooth was pulled out) is OK and doesn't bother me a bit and feels fine.  I'm glad I got it out.  I asked the dentist for the tooth.  If you want it I will send it home.  Let me know.

Today we were out on the field all day.  We all got a chance to drive the tanks.  As Ma it's OK.  I like it.  When you mention tanks it doesn't sound so good.  I know Ma but in a way I'm glad I got in this outfit because--remember Ma we are protected by armor plate Ma.  Not out in the open.  That's an important factor.  So Ma whenever you see a tank be proud of it and say my son is in a tank battalion.  Remember that Ma.

I bet you're even better than ever today.  Right.  I thought so.  Just keep on taking good care of yourself Ma and take it easy.  Is Ann staying [in the] house for a while yet?  How is everybody and what's new?  I didn't receive a letter yet.  I hope I get one tomorrow.  I'll write you again so until then best of health and happiness to everybody.  Let me know how Grandma is.  OK.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 118

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 
4/10/44
Letter No. 118
Rec'd

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well here I am back at camp.  It's Mon. night and the day went by pretty good.  But before I tell you about the day I have a lot to tell you all that's more important.  First when this letter reaches N.Y. I hope you are 100% better ma.  I guess you will be so much better that you can stay up all the time.  And ma, you don't know how much I enjoyed being home again especially after such a long time.  And please don't think for one moment that I ain't just as close to you as ever, and after being away for such a long time makes me ever closer to you then ever.  So please don't feel for one moment that I feel any different than I always did.  I want you to feel that you have a son who really loves his mom and who is proud to have such a Grand Mom.  And please Mom don't worry about me.  You taught me how to take care of myself by proper bringing up with a good sense of moral and that's where I rank on top when compared to the men in service.  There is a lot you are going to teach me when I come home to stay, which I am looking forward to.  So just remember ma, this is your soldier boy, and this is one guy you can count on.
Boy this camp certainly looked an awful sight when I got here last night after being home.  And the meals didn't look a bit appetizing after having all my specials made for me.  But I'll get into the swing of it again before long.  It's good I took the train Wed. night because I made good connections and if I would have taken the one on Thursday I would never have gotten here on time.  I got to Chicago 6 P.M. on Thurs. and had a two and a half hr. wait for the train to Los Angeles.  I called up Mr. McIgaard [?] but he was in Washington so his secretary told me to come up the office.  So I went up and she said that the Streamliner to L.A. didn't run till Sun. (they run every 3 days).  Mr. McIgaard left money there and had one of the girls in the office wait for me.  So in the 2 1/2 hrs she took me to the Walnut Room at the Bismark Hotel (one of the swankiest places you ever saw with a band playing and a floor show).  We had a meal that cost $3.25 a piece.  The bill was $8.58 with tax.  He left $7.00 so I just had to pay the remainder.  Then we rushed back to the station and I got the 8:30P.M. train for L.A.  The trip wasn't bad.  I made friends with a marine that was traveling to L.A. and it made the time go a little faster.  The lunch Sister gave me helped out swell and I ate everything.  I got in L.A. 12:30 PM Sunday (It was too late to go to mass).  and I got a train to camp at 1 o'clock PM and got to camp about 8 o'clock last night.  I took a hot shower and got partly straightened up (made up my bed and got my stuff from supply) and then returned for the night and got a good night's sleep.
I didn't miss much the boys say.  They had mostly details and they didn't learn much.  They have guard duty tonight.  I was surprised I wasn't called with them.  I have K.P. tomorrow.  They say K.P. is really easy here.  You get up at the regular time.  You don't have to get up earlier like in other camps.  That's pretty good luck!
Today went pretty good.  We had calisthenics & then worked around cleaning different part of a motor.  So it was a pretty easy day.
I think there is more to say but I can't think of everything now.  If there is anything you want to know just ask me.  I'll be looking for questions.  I'll write again as soon as I get a chance.  I'll close now.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S. I paid the Red Cross tonight.  I'll enclose the receipt.