Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 133

6/12/44 
Letter No. 133
Rec'd  196 & 197

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well here it is another Monday again.  It seems like I hit Mon & Tues for writing letters doesn't it?
Well I went to L.A. again over the weekend.  I was just lucky again as there was a bus for the battalion going down.  I found out the last minute so I called up the girl I met at the dance last weekend and made a date (she's a jitterbug from Iowa).  We went to Long Beach at the Municipal Auditorium again.  This time they had Henry King & his orch.  We had a nice time.  I slept at the dormitory & Sunday I went to Hollywood & stopped in at the Hollywood Canteen again.  They put on a nice show.  The only celebrity was Elizabeth Patterson who plays "mother" in most pictures.  I got her autograph & will enclose in this letter.  Her latest picture as I wrote on the back of the card is "Hail the Conquering Hero" playing the part of Ella's aunt.  Maybe you can see it when it comes around.  Then I went to the U.S.O. & got a record made which they will send home.  I made a few mistakes but you know me ma.  I hope you like it.  My voice sounds kind of deep I guess maybe I was standing to close to the mic.  I think you'll get a kick out of it.  Play it for Grandma also OK.
We are just doing routine stuff around here which doesn't make good writing matter but an doing fine in all my work.
I just love to receive your letters ma.  You asked me about that rocket I was going to make a lamp out of.  Well we had to turn them in and I'm not sure yet whether I can get it back but I'll try to get one.
I didn't see "Shine on Harvest Moon" but if it comes (or maybe it passed) I'll see it.  
I certainly was surprised about the Marines having a victory garden.  I guess they do about anything to keep busy.
I'm glad my watch is OK and running fine.  That's a load off my mind.  My watch keeps perfect time.  It comes in so handy especially on these problems at night.  It's really swell.
I certainly hope Al is all right.  His mother shouldn't worry so much.  Worry is just no good.
It is certainly good news about the invasion.  This will be over sooner than we think.  I always talked about the underground movement would be the deciding factor & just in tonight's paper it said half million French patriots are revolting.  I don't see how the nazi can last for any reasonable time.  
Are you & Bob & Tiny still corresponding?  Now don't say anything & she didn't for awhile either.  Let me know?
I guess that's about it for right now.  I got K.P. tomorrow but I don't mind it a bit.  
Give my regards to Grandma.  Love & kisses.  Take good care of yourself and let me know the latest as to whether your picking up weight etc.
Until then I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

P.S.  Will you please look at one of Ed Thatcher's letters and send me his address.  I think I put the wrong address on his last one.  O.K.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 21

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
Flight A-31-T.S.S. U.S. Army
Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Date 2-23-43
Letter No. 21
Rec'd 27

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

It is Tuesday night and I am writing letters once again. I wrote all day Sunday, last night & tonight. I wish I only had to write to home, Grandma & Ele, but if I don't write I won't receive any so I have to answer all letters. I really wouldn't mind if I had plenty of time. You notice the change in script? I'm in the day now. It is more comfortable, sitting at the table & listening to the radio. I'm sorry I didn't discover it before.
Yesterday we had gas mask drill. We learned how to put on our gas masks and test for gas. We got wiffs of mustard gas, phosgene gas & a couple of others. Then we went into a chamber with tear gas to prove that our gas masks really work. They worked. Before we left the chamber we had to take our masks off and we all started to tear. I had tears all the way down my cheeks. All these gases are in concentrated forms. It was really a lot of fun. From the gas chamber we had to walk across the camp & then thru an obstacle course with our gas masks on. Boy were we sweating. Boy that obstacle course certainly toughens you up. In this flight we go thru it twice a day. It's a bit different than our other obstacle course. You see when we changed flights we changed our drill field also. I like this one a lot better.
The weather here is cold when we get up, but in the afternoon it's like a summer day.
Al didn't say anything about where he was. Just about things in general.
If I ever get home on a furlough I'll take over Bobby's unit for a night. I'm catching on to this drill pretty good. What do you say Bob? How far do you go teaching your girls drill. Right flank-left oblique, extend march etc. Let me know I'm quite anxious to know, OK.
I'm still waiting for those cookies Ann. Of course when you have time. But I certainly do miss them. I hope they come soon.
I hear you received my letter Ele. What do you say? Write me a nice long letter & let me know. Where were you when Mom, Bob & Ann call me up?
Hi Pa! How do you feel? I hope you aren't taking anymore pills etc. What about it pa?
Well I think that's all for now. I still feel fine. I am a little tired. I guess that's to be expected.

Your Loving Son &
Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S. I got a letter from the Testa family today.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 19

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-17-43 2-18-43
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. U.S. Army Letter No. 19
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 22

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well here it is Wed. morning about 7:30 and will be called out for chow in a few minutes so if I have to break off you know the reason why. Then I will finish it sometime today. Today we got up at 5:45 instead of 5 o'clock because our mess hall is on the blink. So we have to march way over to the other side of the camp to the General Mess Hall to eat. It's a tremendous place & can take thousands of fellows at a time. Well I'm being called out now so I close now for awhile.
Well here it is Thursday night. I couldn't finish the letter yesterday. Here is the reason. Since I left for chow yesterday morning I have been on the go as usual. Everything we do has been moved up a couple of hours because of the mess hall goring on the blink. We go on the drill field & drill the same as usual only that we stay there that much longer & get back that much later. So we drilled Wed. morning & in the afternoon we played cowboys & indians. (learning how to take signals in combat zone & then laying in the mud). (We had pieces of wood for guns). It was quite a riot. Everybody got a kick out of it.. Tues. I went on sick call and got a pass to stay in my hut on Tues. because of my ankle I sprained on Mon. It hurt me a little so [I] thought I would get it taped up. Wed. it felt pretty good so as I told you all above, was out on the drill field. We got off the drill field about 6 o'clock & went to chow at seven. (This business of eating late will end as soon as the mess hall is fixed up). Then I was pretty tired & so was everybody else because of walking back & forth to the mess hall besides our regular drill. Soon we thought we had the rest of the night off & I was going to finish the letter & then flop in bed, but ------- we all had to go to a show. We all thought it was a processing show (like first aid) or something. So we had to walk in formation to the other side of the camp & guess what it was? ------------ It was a show by the U.S.O. entitled "Flying Colors." They had 24 Rockettes from Radio City (it was a New York show) comedians, singers from W.O.R. & it was a wonderful show. Everybody was glad they had to go. One of the singers sang "Begin the Beguine" right down the line. Wasn't that swell. The Rockettes were very good. Well we got back at 11 o'clock & I went to bed. We went to drill this morning & this afternoon was called again for special instruction on guard duty. I have guard duty from 10 -12 tonight. After all that I still felt pretty good. In fact I don't seem to get tired anymore but rather enjoy it. The only thing is I would like to have more time to write letters. I wrote one to Eleanor Tuesday & mom you read it too. I think you'll understand.
I received a letter from Eleanor & it was certainly swell to read it and Ele you won't have any trouble in your next term. Just keep up your good work. I got two letters from Ele & she says she had a wonderful time Sunday. I'm sure she did. Al didn't say much in his letter as usual but he is overseas & is sorry he couldn't write sooner. He sends his regards to all.
I got a letter from the bookkeeper from my office & it had a little bad news. Ed, my boss is in the hospital with meningitis. But is recovering. I felt bad when I read it. I'll write him a nice letter Sunday. I hope he gets betters in a hurry. His course is almost up.
And ma of course your letter, I always save yours for last. I remember when I went to night school I always saved my subject I liked last. I always enjoy yours the most. I'll have to close now. I'll answer all questions in my next letter. I'll have to put my leggings on & make my bed & shine my shoes before lights go out & then I have to go on guard duty. There is so much I would like to say but just know I haven't the time. I'll have to answer Elfrieda tomorrow. Goodnight. Love & Kisses from Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S. That original design on Eleanor's letter was quite effective. You see ma we have a bright girl in the family. Our little genious.

P.S. I have a swell poem I will write in the next letter. It's really swell. Keep looking for it.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 7

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-25-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 7
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 3

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I received your letter along with one from Ele, I was so glad to get the mail, I just couldn't wait to open it. (I got them last night).
Mon. morning we got another shot in the arm. We will get them every week now. Your arm gets a bit stiff after awhile but I'm getting used to it & it doesn't bother me any more.
Boy that's certainly a thrill getting my name on the plaque. I'll feel proud to see it on my furlough.
Last night I went to bed about 7:30, I was a bit tired.
We didn't get anymore K.P. yet. I think once you serve it here you don't get it anymore.
I don't fell so bad ma. Last night I didn't sleep very good but I generally do. I dreamed I got a pass. So sometimes dreams come true ma.
As for Albert listening to radio. Ma you can listen to Australia can't you? Just put on short wave. I believe it's listed on our radio. They probably have the same thing there. Just vise versa. We have on our radio Australia, they have on their radio U.S.
Just now ma it's 2:50 and we are being called out. We have to get dressed in our O.D.'s with our field jackets on & our leggings on. Boy what a laugh, half of fellas couldn't get their leggings on right. I got mine on backwards. But it was all right. Boy ma I don't look so bad. It feels pretty good all dressed up. We had to go out & we were given drill for about 1 hr. Boy it was swell. It put a little spirit back in you. It's not regular drill but they do it every time one of the generals come around. That's the best thing that happened to me since I came here. I think I'll make out pretty good when I get to a permanent camp.
I didn't get any mail today. I guess it will come in tomorrow.
Today I saluted a captain & a lieutenant. It wasn't so good but when I get more complete instructions I guess it will be very impressive.
I think I will wash to right before I go to bed, I mean clothes.
Well I think that's all for now ma. I would have finished this afternoon but the drill came through & I'm glad it did, because it was interesting. Well so long for awhile. I hope you feel OK ma, & I hope everybody is OK to[o].

Remaining
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony