Sunday, October 27, 2013

Dear Ma, Pa, Grandma, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 153

Oct. 27, 1944
Friday
#153

Dear Ma, Pa, Grandma, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I finally got your mail ma, and boy was I happy.  It seemed so long since I heard from you.  It's a very short time since I saw you all but we cover so much ground that it seems so much longer.  I got letters 219, 220, 221 and you are also giving them another no. so that means I didn't get 217 & 218 yet.  I guess they will come soon.  You can use the other no.'s if you wish ma.  It will be easier for you.
Boy was that I surprise to hear that Henry is home.  I'm just dying to know how Bob is making out and how much time she will spend with him.  I guess I will know before long.  Also about the painting.
I am glad Anita liked the present.  So you made her a hat huh!  It's good you made Helen one too or else I would have been disappointed.  I really was well pleased with that though.
I think Ele will fall right in Boby's footsteps as far as boyfriends is concerned.  I am so glad she can choose her own friends wisely.  Is Ele's prom going to be formal?  I hope it is.  Gee I would like to be there for her graduation but--
I am so glad you are picking up so much weight.  That's a sure sign and after seeing how well you looked when I was home I just know you are doing perfectly and that's all I need to make me happy.  
By gosh my bank account really is growing isn't it.  With all these Christmas presents and especially yours it certainly gives me a swell start.  But I want to say again, ma, when those $25 checks come be sure to take out whatever you need.  In fact take some out anyway & put it in your own account.  OK.
Are you sure Bob got ready in 7 min. ma.  It seems hardly believable.  Especially awaiting her long waited friend.  It's really more comical than anything.
I can't see Aunt Anna's reason at all.  But---.  I'll include Grandma in these letters & when I get more time I'll write to Aunt Anna.  
I'll close for now ma and will write soon again.  Oh I forgot to tell you that I will probably get a pass to London Sunday and I will tell you about it as soon as I get back.  It should be real interesting.

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Dear Mom, Pa, Grandma, Aunt Anna, Bob, Ann & Ele Letter No. 151

Oct. 24, 1944
Tues.
#151
Somewhere in England

Dear Mom, Pa, Grandma, Aunt Anna, Bob, Ann & Ele,

It's just about a week since I last wrote, but a cold (which is just about gone) and a few other circumstances made it a bit difficult for me to write but now I guess I will be able to write more regular.
I'll include Grandma & Aunt Anna in a few more letters until I catch up with my mail.  OK?  So when your through with it ma, let Grandma & Aunt Anna read it.
I got quite a bit to write but I don't know where to begin.  I think I'll just write them as they come into my mind.  O.K.
Coming across on the boat, after I wrote you on the boat, we got Red Cross kits with toilet articles, cards, games & books, so for the rest of the trip that was our pastime.  We also got paid on the boat ($9.50) but I got a stroke of luck and won a few dollars playing bingo with the boys.  At the end of the trip I was ahead about $50.  Believe me it was just a pastime.  A few of the boys in the Co. who played craps won about $1,000.  That's hard to believe but it's true.  I got a money order made and am sending it home.  Please give Boby $10 of it.  O.K.  And take out what you need ma.  
I still didn't receive any letters from you ma but I will probably get some in short order as the mail over here is far from being straightened out.  I just got a few letters from Helen & one from Sonny.  Helen's letters are really swell swell.  Yes ma she's the girl for me.  She sent me some pictures she took while she was in Chicago and they came out swell.  I'll enclose one and then you can send it back.  O.K.  She said she promised her mother she was going to stay home this vacation (I remember her saying something about it one time but I wasn't sure) So I wrote and told her she was welcome at any time, so maybe it will be next May or June.  How is that Ma?  I guess you both got it figured out already but you could mention in your letter ma that she is welcome at any time O.K.?
I have a few points of interest which I'm sure you all will enjoy.  First, I believe I said I would tell you about the English money.  It will probably be a bit confusing at first as I did but it works out pretty good.  I'll give the name of the coin & then the approximate value in American money.  d=penny  s=shilling  £=pound.
Copper Coins
1/2d (half penny) = 1 cent in American money
1d (penny) = 2 cents
3d (three pence or thrupence) = 5 cents
Silver Coins
6d (six pence) = 10 cents
1s (shilling or bob) = 20 cents
2s (Florin) = 40 cents
2s+6d (Half Crown) = 50 cents
5s (Crown) = $1.00
Paper Currency
10s (10 shilling note) = $2.00
£1 (pound note) = $4.00
£5 (5 pound note) = $20.00

Do you all understand it.  It may be confusing if your having the money but I'm sure it will be interesting.  A few little oddities which you'll find interesting I'm sure.
England is a small country, smaller than N. Carolina or Iowa.  London has a population of 12 million people 1/4 of the total of the British Isles.  I guess that's why it's Germany's target.  The people in England drive on the left side of the road & the steering wheel is on the right side.  Just the opposite from ours.  I thought some of the things in our country was old but when I was on pass I saw a church over a 1000 years old.  That's twice as old as anything in the U.S.  At anyplace in England a person can't be over a 100 miles from a sea.  Do you all like these little oddities?  I'll try to pick up a few more and write them in my next letter.
How do you all feel?  I pray that you all are in the best of health and very happy.  And remember there is nothing to worry about.  Just promise me you won't worry and I'll be real happy.  Tell Grandma I pray every night no matter where I may be.  So until my next letter I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S.  Boby your pen writes real well.  I hope you are making out just as well with mine.
P.S.2  I forgot to tell you that Sonny was made First Lieutenant (I just can't picture him to be a lieutenant, the only way I think of him is a jitterbug and us going to school together).  Things really do change don't they?  He has 21 missions to his credit and had a few narrow escapes over the Ploesti Oil Fields.  Please say a few prayers for him that he will be protected at all times.  O.K. Thanks.
P.S.3  How is our little puppy?  Has he got a new sweater?
P.S.4  Max hurt his toe kicking the mud off his shoe.  So now he has to sit around a couple days.
 
     

Monday, October 7, 2013

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 149

Oct. 7, 1944
#149

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well folks here I am on the high seas but as I said when I was home there is nothing to worry about.  We didn't stay at camp very long after I was home & that pass on Mon. was the last pass little did I realize, but I guess it's best when you don't know, right?
The boys & I just stopped at a few places as I wanted to show them around a bit.
We are on an English ship and I get a real kick out of the way these English men talk.  You just have to concentrate a little harder before you can make out what they say.
You certainly looked swell ma and it made me feel so very healthy and happy and that's just the way I like to see it.  But I noticed that Grandma didn't say very much, but Grandma did look very well, and will you please tell Grandma that I pray for her every night.  They have a mass said every day and I try to make it every day and just yesterday I went to confession & received communion.  This letter won't be mailed until we reach our destination so when I get to my new place I'll write as much as I can tell you all.  So when you get this letter you'll know that I arrived safely.
I was really so lucky to get home so much.  When we got to camp I didn't even think I would get a pass, but that's the Army you never know.  I always think of Joe, he never got a furlough or anything so he could see his people.  He certainly got a bad break.  Did you hear from him?  And did youhear from Helen?  I guess I shouldn't ask that question though as she is very prompt.  Did she accept the invitation?  I hope she did and I just know you'll like her ma.  When your with her for 10 min you'll know what I mean.
There are so many things to tell but I guess I just have to wait I see you all because it's all military which probably don't sound like much but it's still restricted.
So far I didn't get seasick, in fact I really get a kick out of the sway of the ship.  I guess I'm an old timer at it huh!  Remember when I went down to sign up for the Navy?  I felt so disappointed I think I would have like it.  But it really doesn't make much of a difference, does it ma?
I am sleeping on a flat mattress but most of the boys are sleeping in hammocks but I don't hear any of them complain so I guess it's all right.  Maybe I'll try it one night to see how it feels.  
We are pretty fortunate as the boys have formed a band and play twice a day and they really jive out (15 pieces).  It certainly makes the trip a peaceful one.
I guess Helen must be real happy being two St. Louis teams won the pennants.  I guess she will probably say something about that in her letters.  
We saw some flying fish.  They're small & they come out of the water flay for a couple of yards and they go into the water again.  They're beautiful little fish.
I guess that's about all right now.  So until we land I close & don't worry because there is nothing to worry about.  And I'll write as soon as possible.  Until then I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony