Dear Ma & Pa & Barb & Ann & Ele

5-9-43

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I was all set to write a nice long letter today because there is so much to tell you all. But yesterday we moved into tents and ever since then we have been G.I. the tents & the barracks we moved out of. And we have to be ready for inspection at 3 o'clock. And tonight the fellows are going into town. So I'll write tomorrow night. Boy I'll write you a book because there is plenty to tell you.
I feel fine, still have plenty to eat & I believe still picking up weight.
I hope you all feel fine and are in the best of health.
So until tomorrow night.

I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I hope you liked the flowers Ma.

Dear Helen

5-3-43
Mon Nite

Dear Helen,

It seems such a long time since I wrote to you. Eleven days & nights. Wow. I should write twice as much, then I would have twice as much enjoyment. And believe me, Miss Helen Riley, I'm not going to give up so easy. Maybe I should take up a course in letter writing just to find the right words, to tell you sincerely & honestly that your letters are the most interesting & enjoyable letters I receive & have received. When I read your letters my heart just inflates with sincere happy laughter; And by the time I finish the letter it overflows into a perpetual smile & if you say I have a perpetual smile, just double it to stress the point. And another thing--it's no old line because I can truthfully say, I never wrote it to any living soul on this earth. If you still have any doubt in your mind, I can write plenty more. Convinced?
You say you had a gruesome Easter Sunday. And from what you told me I guess it wasn't to gay. Well believe it or not, my Easter turned out pretty good. We were supposed to go on a picnic, but instead we were sent to private homes. My three friends & myself managed to stick together & we were sent to a beautiful country home about 4 miles from the camp. In the afternoon we went row boating on a nearby lake. After that, we had a swell home cooked meal, set up by our hostess. (It reminded me of the one I missed back at your home. I'm still sore at the army for not waiting a while longer). In the night, the next door neighbor came over & sang for us & played the piano. So all in all we had a nice time.
During the week days we have barely time to breathe with this training program. Calisthenics twice a day, lectures, construction etc. They keep us plenty busy during the day & the nights are so short.
This past Thursday we had regular routine during the day & at night we went on a little hike. We started out a 11:30 & marched 'til 4:30 in the morning. We covered about 15 miles. It wouldn't be half as bad, but walking during the night, you barely can see the man in front of you. And we didn't walk on cultivated roads either. And believe it or not I didn't get one blister. This hike is part of our training & we are promised many longer ones. But it all makes us better soldiers right? Joke.
Talking about Uncle Sam liking me, he loves me. Because this time I am corporal of the guards. You relieve the old guards with the new one & then you sit and wait 'til the two hrs. are up & then put a new guard on. Then you have the next 4 hrs. off. So this time guard duty was a pleasure. By the way, I'm on guard duty now writing this letter. It's about 2 o'clock in the afternoon & my guards are walking their posts. Some racket, huh! Boy I finally got a chance to catch up with some of my mail.
Just a word about the picture you sent me. I couldn't ask for anything better. It's real sweet. Thanks a lot. And if it wouldn't be asking too much, it would be just perfect to see you in your Easter bonnet. Honest I would love one.
As for my picture that was the only one I had & your have it.
I was never up in the statue of liberty. But most of my family has. I really am ashamed of myself. Living in such a large city all my life, & there are so many interesting things I didn't see. Maybe when the war is over you can come & visit us & I'll show you some of the things I never seen myself. And I'm serious.
That same thing happened to a friend of mine. His cousin came in from the west & he showed her all around N.Y. When it was all over, he said he saw more during that week than he did in his whole life. Wonders will never cease.
My buddy is Joe D'Angelo. He was at the last dance (K of C). I don't know whether you remember him or not.
My sister Ann works for Hall Bros. (not the oldest one). I don't know whether N.Y. is their main office, but they have a large place there. She sent me some cards which are really tops. I'll send you some from time to time.
I think I covered everything but the weather. And the weather is getting nicer all the time. The sun is shining more regular each day (except one day) (we were drenched right thru. You know the army doesn't stop for anything).
So until I hear from you again, and I hope it's real soon. I hope you are all in the best of health & very happy.

Sincerely As Ever,
Tony

P.S. Thank your sister for the lovely card. It was very thoughtful of her.
P.S. In your last paragraph of your letter you say "Try to be good." I resent that. You know I'll always be good. And I'm not being conceited either. I chose my friends & I make sure they're good. And believe me I did an excellent job in meeting you.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 44

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date 5-1-43
Letter No. 44
Rec'd 64-65

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

Well here it is May already. Boy time flies.
In your 65th letter you say it took 8 days since you got my last letter. Well ma, we all complain about the mailing system here. I guess it isn't too good. But besides the mailing system, I'm afraid I can't write more than once a week & maybe twice. They are always finding something for us to do. So ma if you only hear from me once a week you know the reason why.
During the day we don't get any time to write letters. In the night the time is very short. On Mon. & Tues. (26 & 27) I wrote letters. On Wed. night I had to sign the payroll & get a hair cut. That took all night.
On Thursday we had regular routine during the day. Then at night we took a nice long hike. We started at 11:30 at night & marched 'til 4:30 the next morning. It was a 15 mile hike. And it's not so easy walking in the night especially when you hardly can see the guy in front of you. Believe it or not my feet held out pretty good. I didn't get any blisters. After the hike was over those that wanted to got to chow went & the others went to bed. I was one that when to bed. We slept until noon & then we had to G.I. the barracks. A lot of the lieutenants had trouble with their feet & had to get them treated.
Friday night we went into town to get our suits pressed for inspection on Sat. (today). We were lucky to find a tailor open.
Inspection went over pretty good. Something happened that we all got a good laugh over. All your pockets in the clothes on the rack are supposed to have nothing in them. This one fellow had plenty in his overcoat pockets & the lieutenant found it. Well we were all standing at attention & the lieutenant started to take out the stuff in the pockets. Well he had a shoe brush, 3 pairs of gloves, an apple, a braid for the hat, an arm insignia, a piece of candy & a lot of small odds & ends in his pocket. Well that was the funniest sights I ever saw. A few of the fellows couldn't hold it in & started to laugh & they got gigged. I really don't know how I held it in myself.
This afternoon we were introduced to all the lieutenants of the battalion. They really are a swell bunch. The adjutant lieutenant said that he looked over our records & he said that it is the best outfit on the field.
He also said that the Engineer Aviation Battalion are becoming more & more popular every day. (They weren't used in the last war) and he said after this war we will be proud to say we came from the 1875th. They had a lot of spirit & I think we are going to have a superior outfit.
This afternoon we also played a little game of softball.
One of the lieutenants arranged a dance for this Thursday (May 6) right at our recreation hall. We should have a good time.
On May 5 (Wed) the sergeant arranged a party for the H & S company only, so that we all can get to know each other. I think it's a very good idea, don't you?
And tomorrow (Sun) I am on guard duty with my buddy. We start 5 o'clock PM & finish up 5 PM on Monday. From what I mentioned you can see why I have very little time for writing.
The weather here is getting pretty nice. They say the summers here are pretty nice. OH I forgot to tell you last week I saw a rainbow in the sky. It extended from one end to the other. A complete half circle. And the colors were so distinct. Boy was that beautiful.
I also bought some postcards in town last night. I will send them in another envelope.
I also received a letter from Bob & Dad.
In Bob's letter she asked me about Garrison hats & leather belts. Well at this post we are not allowed to wear them. Other posts have different ruling on the subject. As for the leather belts around the shoulder we can't wear those. In fact you never see them except on an officer.
As for the black ties, I don't know what they are for & we can't wear them anyway. Some fellows from other organizations wear them. We don't.
Tell Dad thanks for his letter & I hope he passes the test.
I got an Easter card from Aunt Margarette with a dollar in it. That was nice wasn't it?
I got a letter from Fio (?). He is in the air corps also. He is in Nashville, Tenn. He likes it pretty well. Send his regards.
Say ma, I lost the medal that Ele gave me. But I still have the the chain. Maybe you could get one for me?
I sent the box home with the palm in it. I also put the post cards etc. that I sent to Helen in St. Louis. She also sent tome cards back. So I put those in too.
Well I guess that's all the news. I still feel fine & probably gaining more weight.
I guess the next opportunity I will have will be next weekend. So until then I hope you are all in the best of health and happy.
Send my love & kisses to Grandma also.

So until then I
remain Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I still didn't get the package with the socks in it. Where that is only the Lord knows.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 43

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date 4-26-43
Letter No. 43
Rec'd 60-61-62-63

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

I wrote Sat. nite so the only thing to tell you all about is Easter Sunday.
Well we all thought it was going to be a picnic. To our amazement we were all split up & sent to private homes. My 3 friends & I all managed to stick together on the one invitation. We left the camp about 2 o'clock. We went to a Mrs. Helen Bussards home, about 3 1/2 miles from the camp. We were taken to a center & all the hostesses took us to their homes. She was an elderly woman of about 55 years old. She said the house was ours & we could make ourselves at home. It was really a very beautiful house. It's just like the pictures you see in the country & it's just a short walk to a beautiful lake. She had a daughter who is going to graduate from high school on my birthday June 3. Her daughter took us down to the lake & we went row boating. Boy this country certainly is beautiful. Most of the trees here are pine & spruce. Then we came back & had a swell meal. Then the girl from next door came in and sung for us & played the piano. She was the Capt. daughters. He's a chaplain at Fort Lewis another nearby camp. She was very nice.
Then about 10 o'clock we left & they took us to the main highway in the car which is about a mile & a half from the camp. Then from there one of the soldiers took us to camp in his car. We had a grand day. They invited us out again. Maybe next Sunday. Boy wasn't that nice of them to give us a good time like that & especiallly with all this rationing going on!
She took down all our mothers' names. She will probably drop you a line saying what nice boys we are. Isn't that nice of her.
Now I'll answer your letters ma.
I am sorry to hear about Frank's Grandfather. Is that the same one that lived with them?
By the way, the other day I got my G.I. glasses. They came thru from J.B. Boy they certainly are sturdy & strong. I mean the frame is strong.
Boy I'm glad to hear you don't have to take the pills anymore. That certainly is another good sign. I am so glad & happy.
I received the cards from Sis. Boy they certainly made me laugh. And they certainly are appropriate.
The candy you sent is certainly good. Boy there is so much candy coming in. Almost everybody got a box of candy from home & they all pass it around. Boy I hope my stomach holds out. I think it will.
All my friends are still here. I guess I should have said Buddies instead of buddy. They are a swell bunch of fellows. And we have a swell time together.
I will write as usual to Grandma & Aunt Anna. But I will also include Grandma's name on this one too O.K.
The weather here is getting pretty nice. Not so much rain anymore. I think the rainy season is all over.
By the way I forgot to tell you I went to church yesterday morning. I am fine & I hope you all had a very happy Easter & are all in the best of health.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I also got two swell cards from Ann & Ele. Thanks.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 42

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date 4-24-43
Letter No. 42
Rec'd 57-58-59

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

This is the first chance I got to write. I try to get off a letter a nite & I wanted to wait 'til Sat. nite to write to you ma, because I want to be able to write tomorrow as we are going on a picnic & I did want to tell you the news of the week. We weren't so sure of the picnic so I didn't know whether we were going until tonight. I will tell you all about it next week.
I wrote last Sun. & as yet didn't receive a letter in answer to the ques. in that letter. I mean about whether I should write to just Grandma or not. I got another letter from Aunt Anna & she ends off by saying "Thinking of you constantly: Write soon again, Grandma & Aunt Ann. Mostly Aunt Anna" I don't like it. So please ans. my questions in the other letter.
During the week we have the same routine, calesthencis & lectures on different topics. But we don't have much time for ourselves during the day. All during the day we just have about 10 minute breaks between lectures etc. And now we have calesthenics twice a day. In the morning & right before we go to chow at night. It's pretty good only I would ike to have more time for myself.
Tues. I had K.P. again. I was on the beam that day so things went pretty good & the day didn't seem so long. As long as you keep busy it's O.K.
Wed. nite I went to the show with the boys & saw "The Sun is Down." It was a proper Gander picture but it was pretty good.
Thurs. nite I wrote a letter to Ele.
Friday nite (last nite) I wanted to write a letter to you but I was so busy getting ready for inspection I bearly got everything done. I had to polish my shoes, sew my braid on my hat, get equipment on the bed in a certain way for inspection by the sargeant, take a shower & shave. I was really rushing.
Today we had inspection by the major & he didn't like the way the clothes were laid out because some wasn't marked. So we had to stay in all afternoon & we had another inspection tonight. I'm glad that's over.
You ask me whether my uniforms fit me. Well half of them are pretty tight fit. But I manage all right. If they get too tight I will get new ones.
I received your candy yesterday. Thank Grandma & you too ma. I certainly got a lot of candy to keep me going for a while. But I still didn't receive the other package with the socks in it. I wonder where that is? I think that's a very good idea about the money in the pouch Elfrieda gave me. Thank Grandma & give her a big kiss for me, will you ma.
My buddy was tickled pink over the candy. He thanks you an awful lot.
Elfrieda said she had another wonderful time last Sunday. And she certainly liked the corsage. Elfrieda says she also got a bit knocked out doing her shopping. I guess all the women have the same trouble each year.
Say ma one of the fellows here has a camera but he can't get films. Would you try to get some rolls. The no is AGFA PB 20. O.K.
So everything is all right with Clifford's wife. I am glad to hear that.
Well I believe that's about all for now. I hope you had a very happy Easter & I hope you are all in the best of health.
I will try to write early next week. So until them I remain.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I also received the shoes (track shoes) - thanks.

Dear Helen

4-21-43

Dear Helen,

Here it is Wed. night & the sun is setting beyond the horizon. I really should say it is finally setting. It must have rained & sun shined about 50 times today. Off & on, but I'm getting kind of use to it now.
It's been a very busy week up here, so far away from it all. Last Mon. (12) I got 24 hr. guard duty. Two hrs. on & four hours off. Guard duty isn't so bad, but it gets kind of lonely walking around in the dark. I always start to think of different things & about back home etc., and gosh it makes me feel awful homesick.
During the week we had calisthenics and lectures on different topics and a few hikes thrown in. It may seem like a simple routine but from the time we get up in the morning (6 am) till 6 pm we are on the go all the time, with a few ten minute breaks thrown in here & there. In other words we don't have any time for ourselves during the day. So in the night we have to take care of all our personal needs & still try to have a good time. Well if you think we don't have a good time, you're mistaken. We have a good time by kidding around in a decent way or go to the post theatre or go to any dance on the post.
Well Thurs. night I went to a dance at the post recreation hall. Boy was it lousy. They had about 6 soldiers to every girl & the girls dancing wasn't anything to talk about. Oh why couldn't they leave me at J.B. for a few more months. I don't think I'll ever stop feeling sorry for myself.
Friday night I went to the post theatre and saw "Forest Rangers" with Fred Macunny (sp?) & Paulette Godard. It was a very good picture.
Sat. is our regular day for inspection. We all passed believe it or not.
This past Tuesday I got K.P. again. It wasn't so bad. I'm getting quite a knack for it now. Pretty soon I'll be an expert.
You know whenever I receive a letter from you, I just (?) away into the corner & read it and I'll be gosh darn if there isn't a perpetual smile on my face. Even my buddies say "It must be a letter from Helen." Even he knows you now.
Before I forget it, thanks for your Easter card. I must say it was very appropriate, symbolic & colorful. (I also like cards an awful lot). By the way, my sister works for Hall Bros. Inc., the maker of Hallmark cards. I noticed the card you sent me was a Hallmark card. They do turn out some beautiful cards. What do you say on the subject being you associate with it at your time of pleasure.
My sister (youngest) was in N.Y. the other day and sent me some post cards which will also help you obtain a picture of N.Y.C. And while on the subject I want to thank you immensely for postcards etc. on St. Louis. I found it very interesting & will send it home to show my family with your compliments.
This afternoon I was interviewed & classified for the fourth time since I'm in the army. I was again classified as a topographic draftsman. I will not go to actual school. I guess they figure I have enough background to carry out my task & to do a well enough job without further schooling. It's O.K. with me as I probably will still get my rating in due time.
I will enclose my picture.
I'm glad to hear you are going to play tennis. I think everybody that has an office job should get plenty of exercise during the summer & even after working hrs. if possible. Being you go to dances, you get exercise. When I was home that's the only way I got exercise, just by dancing. Sometimes I got an awful workout too.
As it stands, I think it's fairly complete, but not as complete as I could like to write, but I will try to write more next time. O.K.
So until I hear from you I will be waiting filled with anxiety. Hoping you & your family are in the best of health.

Remaining As Ever
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 41

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.
U.S. Army

Date 4-18-43
Letter No. 41

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well how is everybody. Ok, right? I didn't get any letters since I wrote on Wed. But I received 4 cards which are all beautiful one from Mom & Dad, Grandma, Bob & Ele. Thanks a lot.
Thurs. we had the regular routine calisthenics & lectures. In the night I went to the dance at the recreation hall but didn't enjoy myself because the place was so crowded. I left early. I hope the rest are better.
Friday we were tested on the broad jump, chinning bar, push ups, sit ups & a 300 yd. dash. I did fairly well.
In the night I went to see "Forest Rangers." It was O.K. Sat. was inspection day. We all passed O.K.
In the night I went to the show again and saw "She's got what it takes." It was fair.
This morning my buddy & I went to church. I got a program with the schedules on & it will give you an idea of what our church looks like. I also got some palm. I will send it home in the box that sister sent the cookies in. You can put some behind the picture in my room like I used to do every year. You can also give a strip to Grandma O.K. In the box I will also include tooth brush covers. See how you like them. Believe it or not I bought them at Camp Upton. I just forgot to send it.
Today I receive a package from Elfrieda. It contained a carton of cigarettes, a box of cherries, a box of jelly beans, a couple bars of chocolates, writing paper & envelopes & chocolate chip cookies. It weighed 5 lbs. Boy was I surprised. Isn't she swell ma. She says she likes your corsage very much. I hope she has a nice time when she comes over Sunday. I guess she will she always does.
Joe Cohn was shipped to Wisconsin. He is going to radio school. He was accepted in Meteorology but the place is filled with W.A.A.C.'s so he can't go. I wish those W.A.C.C.s would get out of the way. This warfare is no place for women. They have so many men now they don't know what to do with them & the women put themselves in the way to confuse matters. Well that's the way it goes.
I received a letter from Aunt Anna today & it agrivated me rather than enjoying it. I will include the page that agrivated me. (pg 1) If she writes like that about Grandma anymore I won't write anymore. But don't tell Grandma about it. I just want you to know. Grandma might feel bad. Give me your opinion on it ma. If you don't want me to write I won't. I still can write to Grandma by sending the letters to you. Let me know before I write another letter to her.
She also writes a 10 pg. letter just for spite, because that's the longest one I ever got from her.
Today I received another letter from Helen Riley. She writes a swell letter. When I send my letters home you can read them.
I also answered Eleanor's letter today. She will get it soon after this one arrives I guess.
Well I guess that's about all for now. Hoping you are all in the best of health.

Until my next letter I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony'

P.S. One of the fellas just received a telegram stating his wife got a baby boy. 5 lbs 13 oz. He passed cigars out to all of us.
He really is a swell guy & makes us laugh an awful lot. You see he used to be master of ceremonies at shows & a song writer & has an awful lot of personality. Someone like that certainly boosts the boys morale.