Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 131


Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/29/44
Letter No. 131
Rec'd  193-194

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,



It's Monday and the start of a new week, but boy I had a swell weekend.  They arranged a special convoy of girls from Los Angeles, Long Beach & Santa Monica.  About 110 showed up for the whole battalion.  They arrived about 7:30PM Sat.  We took them into chow and then we had a dance.  We had a swell time.  Remember at Wash (McChord Field) I met a girl who was a captain's daughter?  Well this time I met a girl who is a colonel's daughter, and has 4 brothers in service.  Her name is Dorothy Little.  She is a real nice girl and we had a lot of fun.  Then we had a midnight snack at the mess hall & then we took them to a special barracks that was set up for them.  Sunday morning after church the girls rode in the tanks and got a real kick out of it.  Then after chow we had a tea dance until 4 o'clock when they had to leave.  We had a swell time and she was very intelligent (college girl) and very sociable.  If I can get to L.A. next week I will go down to see her.  I'll enclose a program of the schedule for the weekend.
The watch keeps perfect time and I got so many compliments already.  It's really swell.
The cherries, candy & cookies are really swell.  And delicious.  The flashlight comes in very handy.  
In my last letter I was so excited I forgot to tell you about that interview.  Well we didn't have it as it was called off to a later date.  As soon as we have it I'l let you know.
I am glad you are feeling fine.  Working around the house is a certain perfect sign.  I'm so glad.  And especially when everybody says you're gaining weight.
I'm glad Grandma is getting along OK and her garden also and send her a special kiss & thanks for the cherries.  Yum!  Yum!
I'm glad Ele will have to wait until she is 16 as it would be nice for her to go to summer school to take extra subjects.  What do you say?
Tiny is getting along pretty good although she is doing a bit of cramming for the exams.
I am in the best of health and everything is coming along fine.
I'll write as soon as possible and until then, I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S.  Keep up the good work ma.  You'll be in the pink in quicker time than you think.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 130


Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/23/44 
Letter No. 130
Rec'd  193

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,



I really don't know how to start this letter, I mean I don't know exactly what to say.  I received the package today and when I opened it my eyes just popped out of my head.  Gosh the watch was really something!  I told you all to get one not so expensive.  I just don't know what to say.  It's the perfect thing.  Waterproof, shockproof, non magnetic, sweep hand, illuminates in the night.  Gosh.  And the cherries.  Grandma always comes thru don't she.  And the candy & cookies & flashlight and stamps.  Even the card was so pretty.  And in the envelope with the stamps it had the card from American Legion.  It's all too much to put in words of thanks and appreciation.
Pretty soon, if not already, you'll receive the year book I subscribed to at the University.  Remember?  The University sent a copy to the library here at camp and I looked at it last night.  I got my picture in 3 times.  Can you imagine.  On page 128 Anita & I are dancing (jitterbugging).  That's when she came down that weekend.  Remember.  On page 133 Tiny & I are dancing at the barn dance they had at the sorority house.  You'll find me in the group picture under section P5 Section 1.  Tiny is in the picture on page 76 with Gertrude Lawrence with the Phi Betas.  She also appears with the house pictures (Casablanca Lodge).  She looks good don't she?  I thought the book came real swell.  It's a swell [?] also.
In my last letter I think I forgot to tell you that I saw the picture "Gaslight" with Charles Boyer & Ingrid Bergman.  Boy don't miss it ma.  It will keep you on the edge of your seat.  and they both played excellent parts.  I also saw "The Story of Dr. Wassell" with Gary Cooper & Laraine Day Sunday night as I said.  It was real good & very colorful.  It's a true story.  I wish you see it.
The weather hear had calmed down a bit and it isn't so windy.
I hope you write Tiny again and keep the chain rolling.  I got a letter from her today and she is real busy with her finals.  You can wish her a lot of luck in them.
I want to thank you all again.  It's so swell to know you have a real family behind you.  Just imagine in 11 days I'll be a man.  21 years old.  Gee whiz.  I'll have to close my letters "Your Loving Soldier Man."  Will write soon again.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony


Monday, May 21, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 129

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/21/44 
Letter No. 129
Rec'd  192

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


It is Sunday afternoon and the weather is misty out.  Since I last wrote on Wed. we have been quite busy.  On Thursday the whole Co., in fact the whole battalion, went out on a problem and came back on Friday.  It was pretty cold sleeping out on the field but our blankets did a pretty good job keeping us warm.  Before we left on Thurs. they had a special mass said so we wouldn't miss going on Ascension Thurs. 
Fri. night we had a Co. dance.  Most of the boys weren't going to go because we got back late from the motor pack after cleaning up our tanks but we had a pretty good turn out.  The officer got about 30 girls from Lompoc.  And the chow they had was really swell.  The cooks did a swell job for a chance.
Sat. & today I have guard duty.  I have it till 5 tonight and then I'll probably go to the show on the post and see "The Story of Dr. Wassell" with Gary Cooper, in technicolor.  I'll let you know how it is if I see it.  It's my time off right now so I got time to write a few letters.
I went to church this morning and the Chaplain gave a very good sermon. I received a letter from Mable, the Secretary at the office, and she sent me the pictures they took of me when I was down there.  I'll enclose them in this letter.  Show them to Grandma also.  OK.
I also got swell letters from Helen Riley of St. Louis & Anita from Tacoma, & Tiny of Eugene.  Sounds like a string of pearls doesn't it.  
I got your letter & also one from Ele.  Both were swell.  I'm glad you got such nice presents for Mother's Day.  I'll write Ele soon again.
I am going to enclose a dollar for Grandma to put some flowers on Aunt Josies grave.  Time certainly does fly.
I'll write again soon.  How do you feel ma?  Are you still taking those pills? Let me know.
Sandy may be a pest ma but you love him don't you?  I'm glad he's feeling well again.
Hope you all are feeling well.  Send Grandma my love.  
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony


 


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 128

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/17/44 
Letter No. 128
Rec'd  191

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


It is Wed. night and I want to write while I got the time.  The weather today shifted from sunshine to mist, to rain.  It is very changeable but I am quite used to change of weather by now. 
As I polished my civilian shoes last night it occurred to me as an amazing fact that I have those shoes 16 months not counting the time I wore them at home and still look like new shoes.  Isn't that remarkable.  It just goes to show you how long something will last if you take care of it.  Right?
After I wrote the last letter on Sunday at the U.S.O. in Santa Maria.  That wanted 4 fellows to be invited out for dinner so I was one of them.  They took us to a small park and two mothers brought out swell food for us to eat.  Wasn't that nice of them.  After that I came back to camp and wrote letters. 
On Monday night I went to the post show and saw "Show Business" with Eddie Cantor.  It was pretty good.  We all liked it a lot.
This will probably be good news to you although nothing to count on.  We were called in to the Orderly room just a little while ago and the 1st Sgt. told us that they got orders to tell us that if any of us wanted to talk to the division board and tell them if we had any special qualities that would be of value some place else we could see them about it.  So we are going up on Mon.  It was just for H.S.T.P. men.  I'll let you know how I make out but I don't think anything will turn up from it. 
I received your cutest card.  Boy the Hallmark people come out with come nifty ones; don't they!
Ma, I am so sorry but I think I lost the tooth I was going to send home.  But I'll keep on looking.
I received a letter from Tiny today and she certainly likes your letters and is so glad you are both corresponding together.
I will enclude the receipt for the War Bonds.  You will get one every 3 months.
I'll close now hoping everybody is in the best of health.  Do you still feel tired ma?  Can you stay up all day?
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. How is our little list?




Monday, May 14, 2012

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 127

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/14/44 
Letter No. 127
Rec'd  188, 189, 190

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


 We were pretty busy all week and didn't have much time and I was lucky to get off yesterday and today as most of the company was gigged for not having their patches sewed on.  But I did.  So I came to Santa Monica and brought my stationary with me.  Last night I went to confession as I thought the least I could do was receive Holy Communion on Mothers Day.  So this morning I received Communion at the Saint Mary's Church I told you about.  In the camp newspaper, I cut out a clipping which expresses my thoughts quite well so I am enclosing it.
Last night I went to the show and saw "The Uninvited" with Ray Milland & Ruth Hussey and boy was that good.  Don't miss it.  It was like the "Suspense" stories only more so.
I got to the show one time during the week also & saw "Once Upon a Time."  It was a bit fantastic but pretty good. 
I also am enclosing a clipping about Sgt. Steve Peck.  He's in our co. and a swell guy.  He used to pitch for the New York Yankees.  I believe I heard of him when he did play for the Yankees but I didn't follow them too close like I did the Dodgers.  You know.
You mentioned about Grandma receiving the pillow top I sent you from Hollywood.  That was your Mother's Day present.  Didn't you receive it?
I received a swell letter from Frank and I think he must be in a nice place if he sent Ann a 20 page letter.  I think you are right by assuming that ma. 
I didn't hear from Fio yet/
My bank book is in the top left hand drawer but I am almost positive I haven't any interest coming.  But you can check it.
I hope he can fix my watch.  I guess I waited just a little too long to send it home.  Well as long as it won't get any worse it's OK.  What do you think about the waterproof watch?
I am glad you are feeling well ma and with Grandma's cooking you should be in the pink in no time at all.  Try to spend as much time with Grandma as possible.
Tiny is in the best of health.  Did she write you again?  And did she write to Barb?
I'll write again soon and I hope I get time during the week.  Until them best of health and happiness to all.  
Your Loving Solider Boy,
Tony

P.S. Read the letter & clipping to Grandma.



Wednesday, May 9, 2012

To Mom & Grandma

Mother's Day Greetings


To Mom & Grandma,


To the best mothers in all the world I want to extend my deepest love, as always but ever more so if possible on this day set aside for mothers.
I hope this will pinch hit instead of a card as I couldn't get one.  I want you to read this to grandma, ma, OK.
I hope you & Gran liked the presents I send from Hollywood.
I hope everybody is in the best of health.


Your Most Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Monday, May 7, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 126

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/7/44 
Letter No. 126
Rec'd  --

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


It is Sun. night and another week is about to start.  Just another one.  And in 2 more days it will be 16 months.  I'm in the army, but just a month ago I was home.  Gosh time flies.
To start again where I left off Fri. night I got out of G.I. the barracks and went to a U.S.O. traveling show (from camp to camp).  It was very good.  Singers, dancers, etc.
Sat. was a glorious day. (I had K.P.)  Well I didn't want to go any place anyway.  But Sat. night there was a battalion convoy (trucks) to a dance in a small town about 30 miles from camp.  It wasn't bad but I didn't enjoy myself much.  It seems that I feel I want to be with Tiny all the time.  I had such good times with her that I'm just content to think about them.  Well the war won't last forever.
This morning I went to church 11 o'clock mass.  It was a good sermon.  This afternoon I wrote a few letters and tonight I may go to the show if they got a good show.
Tiny is having a bit of a job making up a lot of work otherwise she is coming along alright.  Her brother is over in Italy (He is a captain, just made it about a month ago) and may come home this month.  Isn't that swell.  I told her not to count on it though.
I also got a swell letter from Joe.  He was very apologetic for not writing you etc. but ma he puts it in such a manner.  I'll never meet a buddy like him, ma.  I'll send the letter home in a different letter after I answer it.  He's been shipped to a different battalion.  His address is:
PFC Joseph D'Angelo 32717232
H & S Co. 1397 Constr. Bn.
A.P.O. 957
c/o Postmaster San Francisco, Calif.
The weather is getting warmer but we get a few misty foggy days now and then.
I also got a rocket shell that the boys used for practice.  They are all sending them home so I will as soon as I get a chance.  It will make a nice lamp.  You'll have to use a little imagination.  I think it will make up pretty good though.  That will be for my future workshop.  That will be my first job.  So when you get it just put it some place until I come home.
I'll close now & I will write as soon as I get a chance.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony  

Friday, May 4, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 125

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/4/44 
Letter No. 125
Rec'd  2 marked 187

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


This is the first free night all week so I am going to try to catch up a little on my mail situation.
I am glad everybody is in the best of health and feeling fine.  Your letters are swell mom.  I really enjoy them an awful lot.  How do the vitamin pills work?  I was thinking maybe I should take some.  
It is really a shame that Grandma has to do it all by herself.  I wish she could get rid of the house & live with you so she could have peace and people who love her could be with her all the time.  When I get home that is exactly what we are going to do.
I would like to read that letter the war dept. sent you.  It should be very interesting.
I sent the box home with the odds & ends in I had around and I also put in my watch.  I packed it pretty good.  I also got the cards in from Hollywood.  I forgot to put my tooth in the box.  That sounds funny doesn't it? 
You mentioned about my birthday present.  Well there is nothing I really need but I was thinking that if everybody chipped in you could get me a waterproof, shockproof watch.  Not as expensive as my other one though.  I do miss my watch and awful lot and I am always looking at my wrist.  As soon as you get my watch take it to the jewelers and get it fixed OK.  The reason it probably doesn't work is because it got wet, so the longer you wait the worse it will get.  I want it in A1 condition so that the first day I get home I can put it on my wrist.  But for the work I am doing now it is nothing for such a beautiful watch.  What do you think of the idea?
It seems like Barb is in another (Henry) situation.  But if I know Barb she'll pull out OK.  Right.
I am glad Sandy is learning.  I think he will be all right in a little while. 
I hope Al is alright.  Did Boby here from him?
I forgot to tell you I saw Clifford.  I told Grandma in her letter.  He didn't have much to say and is still the same.
I also forgot to tell you in my last that when I was at the Lux Radio Playhouse, Cecil B. Demille was the announcer on the regular program.  I thought it would be interesting to let you know.
I am having $6.25 taken out of my pay each month for War Bonds and they will be sent to you automatically.  I'll close now.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Enclosing Money order for $30.  Use it as you wish.  Love T.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 124

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.
 

5/1/44 
Letter No. 124
Rec'd  183-185

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


Well here it is Monday night and I got a few free minutes to write before it gets too late.  All last week we've been pretty busy that I couldn't find the slightest time to write.  Monday we had a problem which took all day and when we got in late at night we had to wash out fatigues so would be clean for the next day.  Tues. we had another problem and tues. night I was on guard duty.  Wed. (4/26/44) we worked on tanks all day and at night we went on a problem in the pouring rain.  There is always one thing we must do before we leave the tank, no matter where we are or what time it is and that is clean them up.  That's one thing I learned.  In that rain my watch got wet and now it won't run.  I told you I was going to send it home but I guess I didn't do it soon enough.  The only watch I can use here is a weatherproof, shockproof watch.  When I send it home I wish you get it fixed & then hold it for me OK?  Thurs. I got my other wisdom tooth pulled and he had to cut the gum but I didn't feel anything until the Novocaine wore off.  They gave me some pill to make me sleep & I felt so sleepy for the longest time.  He was a very good dentist and everything is fine now.  Fri. it was the same routine and in the night we had to clean the barracks.  Sat. I got that pass to Los Angeles I told you about and we got a chartered bus there and back.  We left camp about 1 o'clock PM and got there about 6:30 Sat. night.  The first place we went was the Hollywood Stagedoor Canteen.  And guess what?  Carole Landis came in and started to dance with all the service men.  They were all jitterbugging.  One dances for about 20 seconds and then another one cuts in.  So I cut in and danced with her.  But I didn't get much of a kick out of it as she seems just like another person.  But after all that's just what she is, another person.  Marsha Hunt was there also and she looks just like you see her in the pictures, as for Carole Landis, I don't think I would recognize her on the street, although she is very beautiful.   We went to the show after that and saw "Cover Girl."  It was very good.  We slept at the Hollywood High School.  If you look in the "Life" magazine (April 10) you will find more than I can tell about the Hollywood H.S.  We went to mass at the beautiful Blessed Sacrament church and it was a very good sermon.  After that we ate & then at 1 o'clock we went to the Lux Radio Playhouse and I got such a kick out of it.  It took me right back home because all those Monday nights we used to gather around the radio and listen to Lux programs were made so clear well you know what I mean.  It was a rehearsal for tonight's program broadcast all over the nation.  And I know that you would listen to the same thing I saw the day before.  It was "Appointment For Love."  The actors were Olivia De Havilland  & Paul Lukas.  I certainly hoped you wouldn't miss hearing it.  Let me know.  Boy Olivia De Havilland is just as she looks in pictures.  Gosh, she's cute.  Then after the program we went to the U.S.O. for a show.  And I saw Harry Revel the famous song writer.  I got his autograph and I am going to send it to Tiny as she would like it because of her musical background.  Shirley Temple & Ann Rutherford were supposed to be there but they never did show up.  We saw Judy London a movie star and Vince Barnett the famous comedian of picture and radio.  It was a swell show but we couldn't stay because we had to catch the 6 o'clock bus back to camp.  We got in about 1 o'clock last night.  Hollywood is certainly the place to see things and have a good time.  I only wish we had a little more time.  It's really the most beautiful place you ever saw.  I got cards and will send them home in the box with my watch.  While I was in Hollywood I sent you your Mother's day present and I also sent Grandma one.  I may not be able to send a card but I hope the present doe the trick.
I am so glad of the news of what the doctor said and I feel much better now.  It seems like a swell doctor.  I am also glad you are getting the sunshine (when it comes out).
About Eddie and what he said to his mother.  You asked me when I would say things like that when people were around.  Ma, I wouldn't say if people were around or not.  Things like that never enter my mind.  Just remember ma, you have a real son.  I don't think she has.  He isn't close to his mother like I am to you.  
Frank looks the same as he always did.  I think he look real good.
Tell Ele & Bob & Ann I will write when I get a little more time, OK.
In my last letter I asked for air mail stamps and the very next day I got some from Grandma.  Boy we certainly use mental telepathy don't we.  Thank Grandma an awful lot for me.  Tell Grandma I pray every night.  OK, Ma?
I got paid today and as soon as I can get a money order made out I will send some home.  There is a lot more I know there is to tell but I ant think of it all now and time is getting short and lights will be out before I know it.  Tiny is OK and writing frequently.  I also got a letter from Helen Riley from St. Louis.  She writes a swell letter.  I'll close now hoping everybody is in the best of health and very happy.  Tell Grandma I will write as soon as I get a chance.  OK.  Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony