Sept. 6, 1943
Dear Mom,
I have made three attempts (in as many days) to answer your letter. I was very happy to hear from you as usual but even more so this time since your last letter was last. By now you will have received the letter I wrote to you in August. If I am not mistaking, I wrote it about the same time as you wrote yours.
I also want to thank you for the cards you sent me. I made mention of them in my letters to Ann. She has no doubt told you.
I too will be looking forward to hear your two daughters play the Merry Widow Waltz & The Blue Danube. Right now I'll put my hopes with Eleanore. She is not as busy as my pal Bob.
The news about Tony was swell. I do hope he gets into a college on the east coast. No doubt if he does he will get that leave he has been waiting for.
I don't want to forget to thank you for the "Dear Buddy" strip. I do enjoy them & it seems that everyone else does too.
Did Grandma get the letter I sent her? I hope so.
I had every intention of writing quite a few letters today but such is not the case. It is almost 5 PM now & it's quite hard to write here at night.
Everything is well down here. I am as ever in very good health and higher in spirits than ever before. Hoping this letter finds you all the same.
I will try to write at least a v-mail to Eleanor right now before I don't get a chance for a long time.
Regards & Love to all.
Love,
Frank
Showing posts with label Frank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank. Show all posts
Monday, September 6, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 70
P.F.C. Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" STAR Unit 3902
U. of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
It is Fri. afternoon during study period & I decided to write a letter instead.
At mail call at noon time I received a picture of Anita. She had one made for me in the same studio I had mine made for you. I think I told you. It's 5 x 7 and is colored in oils. Ma you should see that picture. It's beautiful. She also had it in a glass frame. And the way she had it wrapped. First it had two pieces of cardboard on either side. Then she put it in a handkerchief box. Then she wrapped it with tissue paper with a green ribbon on it, with a big boy in the middle. That was wrapped in paper around that was 4 pieces of cardboard & that was wrapped with paper. So you can see how nervous I was until I got it open. She's swell ma.
I also got a nice letter from Elfrieda. She told me about her plans. She is going to live in Morristown N.J. after a two week honeymoon. I hope she's happy.
I am so glad that you all are so happy I made the grade. Your letters cheer me up so much ma. I'll try my best to pass and make you all happy.
The education I had certainly will come in handy. Tech certainly had the stuff.
Send Aunt Margaret my best regards and hope she gets better real soon.
It msut be telepathy again. I believe in my last letter I told you I still write to Helen Riley. I just got a letter from her too. And I also told you about Joe. Isn't that funny the way that always works out.
I also received your cute card ma. And it had such a pretty saying. xxxxxx and a million more.
The weather here is still swell. I hope it's nice weather back there.
How is grandma? And how is the garden & how is Frank? Did Grandma rent the flat yet?
I hope you are all in the best of health & tell Bob & Ann to drop me a line & let me know how Jersey's Breeze Knoll is. Ok. So until my next letter I remain
Co. "A" STAR Unit 3902
U. of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
It is Fri. afternoon during study period & I decided to write a letter instead.
At mail call at noon time I received a picture of Anita. She had one made for me in the same studio I had mine made for you. I think I told you. It's 5 x 7 and is colored in oils. Ma you should see that picture. It's beautiful. She also had it in a glass frame. And the way she had it wrapped. First it had two pieces of cardboard on either side. Then she put it in a handkerchief box. Then she wrapped it with tissue paper with a green ribbon on it, with a big boy in the middle. That was wrapped in paper around that was 4 pieces of cardboard & that was wrapped with paper. So you can see how nervous I was until I got it open. She's swell ma.
I also got a nice letter from Elfrieda. She told me about her plans. She is going to live in Morristown N.J. after a two week honeymoon. I hope she's happy.
I am so glad that you all are so happy I made the grade. Your letters cheer me up so much ma. I'll try my best to pass and make you all happy.
The education I had certainly will come in handy. Tech certainly had the stuff.
Send Aunt Margaret my best regards and hope she gets better real soon.
It msut be telepathy again. I believe in my last letter I told you I still write to Helen Riley. I just got a letter from her too. And I also told you about Joe. Isn't that funny the way that always works out.
I also received your cute card ma. And it had such a pretty saying. xxxxxx and a million more.
The weather here is still swell. I hope it's nice weather back there.
How is grandma? And how is the garden & how is Frank? Did Grandma rent the flat yet?
I hope you are all in the best of health & tell Bob & Ann to drop me a line & let me know how Jersey's Breeze Knoll is. Ok. So until my next letter I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy
Love & Kisses xxxx
Tony
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx
Love & Kisses xxxx
Tony
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 62
P.F.C. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.
Date 7/24/43
Letter No. 62
Rec'd 100 & 101 Boy it certainly is getting high
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
It is now 7:15 in the morning and I'd thought I would write a letter before I got to work. Today we work on the job. Yesterday we had to train.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the dentist. I had 4 cavities and he fixed them all up. I was in the chair about an hour. It just goes to show you that there isn't much work. When there is no money to pay you can get done awful fast. Isn't that right?
Yesterday afternoon (Thurs) we had our regular retreat parade as we do every Thursday. Boy I love a parade. And from the piece that Eleanor got out of "See Here-Private Hargrove," that's morale. I get a thrill when the band sounds off & the airplanes go zooming overhead. That's one thing I like. I am right guide also. The whole battalion has to guide on me! So I have to watch out I'm in line etc. You can ask Boby what right guide is o.k.
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.
Date 7/24/43
Letter No. 62
Rec'd 100 & 101 Boy it certainly is getting high
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
It is now 7:15 in the morning and I'd thought I would write a letter before I got to work. Today we work on the job. Yesterday we had to train.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the dentist. I had 4 cavities and he fixed them all up. I was in the chair about an hour. It just goes to show you that there isn't much work. When there is no money to pay you can get done awful fast. Isn't that right?
Yesterday afternoon (Thurs) we had our regular retreat parade as we do every Thursday. Boy I love a parade. And from the piece that Eleanor got out of "See Here-Private Hargrove," that's morale. I get a thrill when the band sounds off & the airplanes go zooming overhead. That's one thing I like. I am right guide also. The whole battalion has to guide on me! So I have to watch out I'm in line etc. You can ask Boby what right guide is o.k.
I got a letter from Frank the other day. It took over a month to get back to me. It was a swell letter. I answered him right away and wrote a nice long letter.
Wed. nite I saw "Coney Island." Is it in N.Y. now? I mean the picture (joke). It was pretty good.
Elfrieda wrote me a letter (well still writing to each other as usual) and she ask[ed] me my advice on sending you all an invitation. She thought it would offend you all. But that is silly. I'm sure. So if you would like to go let me know & I will tell her. O.K.
Do you think I should try to get my furlough to see Ele get married? It will come pretty close anyway I guess.
Just Davidson & I are in the tent. Borella was the one that went to the other outfit.
I think I will go to the U.S.O. tonite with Peggy. I'll let you know about it.
I hope you can ge the money to me as soon as possible Ma. But I don't expect it too soon anyway. But just in case.
I hope you can ge the money to me as soon as possible Ma. But I don't expect it too soon anyway. But just in case.
I will close now we have to fall out in a couple of minutes. So until my next letter I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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.
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
Tony
P.S. I also got two swell cards from Ann & Ele. Thanks.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 29
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
U.S. Army
23 TNG. GRP.
SQD. "A"
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Date 3-11-43
Letter No. 29
Rec'd 38
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
How is everybody today? O.K. That's swell.
I'm still fine & I believe I'm still picking up weight. I wish I could weigh myself some place.
Well as I told you in the last letter I'm a casual and get details or something as we are waiting for shipment. They are shipping quite a few out everyday. But I'm still here. One fellow was shipped out today but was sent back because his temperature was 99.2. The won't take anybody over 98.
Yesterday all the details were filled up so we just drilled a bit& walked a bit and went back to our huts early. In the night right after chow I went to mass & received ashes on my head. Then I came back & wrote a letter to Ele (Elfreida).
Today my name was on detail so we went to a different part of the camp & was shoveling dirt. They were pouring concrete foundations for one of the buildings. I don't mind details. They aren't so bad here.
Tonight I'm going to bed early because I got K.P. I'm glad I got it tomorrow. Then there will be less chance that I get it on Sunday.
Today I got a letter from Mary, Frank & Roberta. It was a very nice letter. She says she's been married 5 years now & only saw the family a few times but the more she sees them the better she likes them. It was the nicest letter I received from Pop's side.
I also received two cards from Dot & Dave. She drops me a card or letter every now and then. I think it's very nice of them. Does anybody drop in once in awhile? I wish you would if anybody gets the time.
Maybe Ann's eyes are the cause for her headaches. I hope the eye glasses will cure it. Being she has a job now I think she will feel much better.
Today I also received the package Boby sent. It is very complete and I'm sure Helen Riley will enjoy it very much. And thanks Bob for your interesting letter.
Well I think that's all for tonight. I want to write a letter to Grandma & maybe have time to answer another letter before lights go out. So until my next letter I remain,
U.S. Army
23 TNG. GRP.
SQD. "A"
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Date 3-11-43
Letter No. 29
Rec'd 38
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
How is everybody today? O.K. That's swell.
I'm still fine & I believe I'm still picking up weight. I wish I could weigh myself some place.
Well as I told you in the last letter I'm a casual and get details or something as we are waiting for shipment. They are shipping quite a few out everyday. But I'm still here. One fellow was shipped out today but was sent back because his temperature was 99.2. The won't take anybody over 98.
Yesterday all the details were filled up so we just drilled a bit& walked a bit and went back to our huts early. In the night right after chow I went to mass & received ashes on my head. Then I came back & wrote a letter to Ele (Elfreida).
Today my name was on detail so we went to a different part of the camp & was shoveling dirt. They were pouring concrete foundations for one of the buildings. I don't mind details. They aren't so bad here.
Tonight I'm going to bed early because I got K.P. I'm glad I got it tomorrow. Then there will be less chance that I get it on Sunday.
Today I got a letter from Mary, Frank & Roberta. It was a very nice letter. She says she's been married 5 years now & only saw the family a few times but the more she sees them the better she likes them. It was the nicest letter I received from Pop's side.
I also received two cards from Dot & Dave. She drops me a card or letter every now and then. I think it's very nice of them. Does anybody drop in once in awhile? I wish you would if anybody gets the time.
Maybe Ann's eyes are the cause for her headaches. I hope the eye glasses will cure it. Being she has a job now I think she will feel much better.
Today I also received the package Boby sent. It is very complete and I'm sure Helen Riley will enjoy it very much. And thanks Bob for your interesting letter.
Well I think that's all for tonight. I want to write a letter to Grandma & maybe have time to answer another letter before lights go out. So until my next letter I remain,
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
P.S. One fellow just walked in our hut (he came from N.Y. also) and told us he was shipping in the morning to a school in N.Y. How is that for a break. I wish I would get a break like that.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 26
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
U.S. Army
23 TNG. GRD.
SQD. "A"
Jefferson Barracks, MO.
Date 3-5-43
Letter No. 26
Rec'd 34 & 35
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well today we had some snow again. It was pretty cold, but we had colder days than this already & it wasn't so bad.
Today was our 25th day of drill (our last) and tomorrow we are supposed to march before the colonel. If we pass we will get 24 hrs. guard duty, 2 hours on & 4 hrs. off. They used to give a long pass but now they have a new system. Ain't that nice of them. If we don't pass we will get our drill days extended to 36 days. But we seem pretty good, unless some guys aren't on the beam. (I can see now where Henry Massy get's that expression "on the beam." Everything here is "get on the beam.") Although tomorrow we may not go before the colonel because of the snow. Or maybe there will be too many & we will have to wait our turn.
Yesterday we went to rifle range. It was very interesting but very noisy. We got 30 shots with the machine gun & 25 shots with the rifle. Believe it or not I got a couple of bulls eyes with the rifle. They have instructors there to tell you what's what. They say that in the Air Corps you may never have to use any piece of armaments but they give it to you just in case you do have to protect yourself. I think this is the safest branch of the service because the Air Corps is so important that they have the best equipment. The only ones that really see battle are the airplane crew. If I get a drafting job maybe I'll never see battle but I sure would like to get my piece of this war like all the rest of the fellows. But we shall soon see & there is nothing to worry about now or then. Right?
Last night I took a shower. We also had personal inspection last night & I had to get another hair cut. If you really want to laugh, I was out of that chair in about 3 minutes. But just the same it cost 35 cents.
They say your supposed to get a hair cut every 2 weeks & shave every day. But I usually shave every 2 or 3 days & get a hair cut when they tell me. Some joke huh. But really I like it with my hair short & it really is neat & keeps clean. Maybe I'll always keep it like this, who knows.
Last night when I was in the latrine I found a beautiful ring from the University of Notre Dame. So this morning I turned it in to Sqd. headquarters. Later on in the morning before we went out to drill the fellow who owned it came in and thanked me & gave me a dollar. I didn't want to take it & walked quite a ways down the road trying to make him take it back but I couldn't give it to him, so I have a greenback which I can use. I have two dollars now which will last me until I get paid, I hope. Little things that turn up now & then add up. Like that hair cut & 25 cents to put a band (orange & blue) on my flight cap. But once things start to roll the money will flow in the opposite direction.
Joe Cohn is in the same basic training as I am & will be sent to school the same as I am.
Boy Ma I'm positive you are feeling O.K. now, for the simple reason that you are starting to clean & wash again. But don't do it all Ma. Take it easy & let the girls do their own clothes. One thing I found out being here & that is you can find plenty of time if you want to, regardless of what you have to do. With a little pressure, one can do anything. Right Ma. Give me an answer on that.
Good for Eleanor on the swimming problem, but she can learn to swim no matter what conditions are. Now I want to hear in a couple more weeks that she can swim. Now Ele get out there and learn I know you can do it.
Well we are on field ration now. But there is still plenty to eat. The only thing is we don't get so much ice cream & pie etc. But you can always go for double if you like. I've enclosed a clipping from a St. Louis paper about it.
Well the W.A.A.C.s have landed. 62 of them came into our camp yesterday. They will take over jobs in the offices. I didn't see any yet I guess there in a different part of camp.
That was my mistake about your misunderstanding. It was a mistake in writing. The word letter was supposed to be paper, after all I wanted to see when the paper was postmarked. I am sorry I made that mistake. I'll try to be more careful. If anything comes up again don't hesitate to ask me like you did this time.
Boy it must have been thrilling to see Frank in those pictures. Boy I bet you got a thrill right down your spine. Right?
My feet are holding out O.K. and I think I march pretty good now. (I hope) Joke.
Well I think that's all for now hoping you are all O.K. & in the best of health. Let me know how you are & how your conditions are changing. Have you done to the doctor yet? & Please let me know from time to time how Grandma is. Nobody tells me. (You know what I mean). Only you can tell me Ma. Then I will know Grandma is O.K. Has Grandma had anymore trouble with the house?
So until I write again, I remain,
U.S. Army
23 TNG. GRD.
SQD. "A"
Jefferson Barracks, MO.
Date 3-5-43
Letter No. 26
Rec'd 34 & 35
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well today we had some snow again. It was pretty cold, but we had colder days than this already & it wasn't so bad.
Today was our 25th day of drill (our last) and tomorrow we are supposed to march before the colonel. If we pass we will get 24 hrs. guard duty, 2 hours on & 4 hrs. off. They used to give a long pass but now they have a new system. Ain't that nice of them. If we don't pass we will get our drill days extended to 36 days. But we seem pretty good, unless some guys aren't on the beam. (I can see now where Henry Massy get's that expression "on the beam." Everything here is "get on the beam.") Although tomorrow we may not go before the colonel because of the snow. Or maybe there will be too many & we will have to wait our turn.
Yesterday we went to rifle range. It was very interesting but very noisy. We got 30 shots with the machine gun & 25 shots with the rifle. Believe it or not I got a couple of bulls eyes with the rifle. They have instructors there to tell you what's what. They say that in the Air Corps you may never have to use any piece of armaments but they give it to you just in case you do have to protect yourself. I think this is the safest branch of the service because the Air Corps is so important that they have the best equipment. The only ones that really see battle are the airplane crew. If I get a drafting job maybe I'll never see battle but I sure would like to get my piece of this war like all the rest of the fellows. But we shall soon see & there is nothing to worry about now or then. Right?
Last night I took a shower. We also had personal inspection last night & I had to get another hair cut. If you really want to laugh, I was out of that chair in about 3 minutes. But just the same it cost 35 cents.
They say your supposed to get a hair cut every 2 weeks & shave every day. But I usually shave every 2 or 3 days & get a hair cut when they tell me. Some joke huh. But really I like it with my hair short & it really is neat & keeps clean. Maybe I'll always keep it like this, who knows.
Last night when I was in the latrine I found a beautiful ring from the University of Notre Dame. So this morning I turned it in to Sqd. headquarters. Later on in the morning before we went out to drill the fellow who owned it came in and thanked me & gave me a dollar. I didn't want to take it & walked quite a ways down the road trying to make him take it back but I couldn't give it to him, so I have a greenback which I can use. I have two dollars now which will last me until I get paid, I hope. Little things that turn up now & then add up. Like that hair cut & 25 cents to put a band (orange & blue) on my flight cap. But once things start to roll the money will flow in the opposite direction.
Joe Cohn is in the same basic training as I am & will be sent to school the same as I am.
Boy Ma I'm positive you are feeling O.K. now, for the simple reason that you are starting to clean & wash again. But don't do it all Ma. Take it easy & let the girls do their own clothes. One thing I found out being here & that is you can find plenty of time if you want to, regardless of what you have to do. With a little pressure, one can do anything. Right Ma. Give me an answer on that.
Good for Eleanor on the swimming problem, but she can learn to swim no matter what conditions are. Now I want to hear in a couple more weeks that she can swim. Now Ele get out there and learn I know you can do it.
Well we are on field ration now. But there is still plenty to eat. The only thing is we don't get so much ice cream & pie etc. But you can always go for double if you like. I've enclosed a clipping from a St. Louis paper about it.
Well the W.A.A.C.s have landed. 62 of them came into our camp yesterday. They will take over jobs in the offices. I didn't see any yet I guess there in a different part of camp.
That was my mistake about your misunderstanding. It was a mistake in writing. The word letter was supposed to be paper, after all I wanted to see when the paper was postmarked. I am sorry I made that mistake. I'll try to be more careful. If anything comes up again don't hesitate to ask me like you did this time.
Boy it must have been thrilling to see Frank in those pictures. Boy I bet you got a thrill right down your spine. Right?
My feet are holding out O.K. and I think I march pretty good now. (I hope) Joke.
Well I think that's all for now hoping you are all O.K. & in the best of health. Let me know how you are & how your conditions are changing. Have you done to the doctor yet? & Please let me know from time to time how Grandma is. Nobody tells me. (You know what I mean). Only you can tell me Ma. Then I will know Grandma is O.K. Has Grandma had anymore trouble with the house?
So until I write again, I remain,
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 24
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
23 Training Group
Sqd. A
Jefferson Barracks, MO
Date 3-1-43
Letter No. 24
Rec'd 28-29-30-31
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
I am sorry I couldn't write sooner but I will tell you how it was.
On Friday, as I told you in my last letter, we had lectures & exhibitions on camouflage. It was very interesting. The lieutenant told us the important facts about camouflage. He said this was the only Technical Training School (J.B.) that had a course in camouflage. That means that Joe Cohn didn't get it. After the lecture we went thru the camouflage area to see the different layouts they set up. They had large nets with colored cloth on them t cover certain make believe ammunition dumps & fox holes & things of that sort. One Sunday the pictures were in a St. Louis paper & cut them out. So they will give you an idea of what some look like.
After chow that same day my name was on the shot list so I got my last tetnus shot. I got back and just had a few minutes to drop you the letter previous. It's this one.
Sat. we had K.P. We got up at 3:30 & started to work about 5 o'clock. This time I had to carry bowls & trays over to the racks. I had the job before & so it made it a lot easier. The day went pretty fast & I didn't mind it so much. It seems the more I have it the quicker the time goes. We got done about 7:30P.M. I turned in early because it does make you tired.
Well things worked out pretty good for me this weekend.
As I told you, or I think I did, Helen Riley, the girl I met at the dance, invited me out Sunday (yesterday) if I wasn't shipped. She wrote me a nice letter telling me how to get there. I told her if I could get a pass for Sunday I would call her up. So Sun. morning after chow I applied for a pass. Then I went to church (8 o'clock mass). (At church I got a prayer book & a new testament, Roman Catholic version, wasn't that nice of them to give them to us). (By the way before I went into the church the chaplain came up the drive & I saluted him & he gave me a big smile. Gee it made me feel so good). (We also have to salute the nurses because they are lieutenants too).
After church I went to get my pass & I got it. It was from 9am Sun. to 5am Mon. morning. They call that a Revelie Pass. Most of the fellows got those passes. So I called her up about 10 o'clock. She wanted me to come out to have dinner with them but I told her no, because I didn't want to cause them any trouble. So I went out after I had chow at camp. In a way I'm sorry I didn't accept the offer to eat there because (this is funny) in the meal we had here they put a laxative and everybody was running to the latrine. We had to wait in line to sit down. (that's a fact) (Why some fellows couldn't hold it any longer) They were going to the latrine at all hours of the night. They say they put it in a meal once a month. Boy did I have to go. Boy everything in the army is a secret, even when they give you a physical.
I went out after chow. It took me an hr. & a half to get there. I had to take a bus & two trolley cars. I got there about 3:30. She introduced me to her parents & family. They live in a swell section of St. Louis (it's really a little outside the border of St. Louis) The live in a two story frame construction house. She has a very nice family and she is very well brought up, you could see that.
We went for a walk & she showed me some places in her neighborhood. They don't have any subways or elevators in St. Louis. Boy it was a job to explain the contraption. It was really funny.
This is the part that touched me the most. When we came back we ate. And Sun. night, the same as we did at home, had cold cuts & bologna & jello, you know just like we had at home. And on the radio they had the programs we listened to at home. I really felt home sick. Her two sisters were there so that made it 3 girls, her mother & father. I just could picture everybody at home in their places. And of course Grandma too.
After we ate, Helen, her sister & I played chinese checkers for a while & then we went to an ice cream parlor for a soda & a dance from the juke box.
We left there about 12 o'clock & I took her home & then went back to camp. I didn't gt too much sleep but I don't feel tired at all today.
Say Mae talked an awful lot about N.Y. After all we do live in the largest city in teh world. I told her about the amusements & different things about the city. So Ma it would be swell if you could send me some things I could show her to give her if I don't see her anymore. (I'll send them to her if I don't see her anymore, if I should get shipped). You could send me an advertisement page of the news showing the plays in the theatres & pictures & bands of the big shows etc. And could you send one of those street directories (a duplicate of Manhattan & map). And if you got a map of N.Y.C. and something about the world's fair & activities of N.Y...Oh yes, could you send me those pictures of Schultz's house, the one my boss designed. I told her a lot about it. I hope this won't cause you any trouble, but I like to show her these things because she is a nice girl & she is interested.
You could send me some more writing paper too. Boy it certainly goes fast. How much have I got left.
By the way they all admired the gloves Ann made for me. They thought they were swell. And they certainly are warm.
I'm eating Ann's cookies as I am writing this letter. Boy they taste just as good if not better than last time. I passed them once & then I put them away because they started to come back for more. See that's how good they are.
Did you hear from Frank yet, Ann?
I hope that fortune teller is right, a nice happy home, sounds so good.
Ma I always will go to church & confession as long as I can. I always wear my medal & Scapular. As for my money left, you hit the nail on the head, no money to put in my belt so I got it in my locker.
My ankle feels fine & I'm in the best of shape.
Boy I'm so glad your condition is good ma. It makes it a lot easier for me too knowing that you are OK.
Yes Ma this camp is pretty big. I think there is a total of about 50 to 80 thousand soldiers here.
There is no word of what school I'm going to. The only time I will find out what school is when I get there I guess.
Gee thank Grandma for the dollar. It certainly came in handy. I got 2 souveniers already & I'm trying to get something for everybody. So far I haven't got anything for Grandma & Pa because it is pretty hard to get souveniers for those relations. Maybe you can give me a suggestion.
I'm glad they are going nip & tuck at those blackouts because they should get the people war conscious even though war never comes here. They have to be prepared just the same.
Boy Bobby certainly is going to town with the unit. Say being I'm in the service. She can send me one, if an extraordinary one comes along. If I even get a few spare moments I'll read it.
Say Bobby, I get a bit mixed up on right flank and left oblique movements. I can do both but when the P.I. shouts off they sound the same some time. But I'm getting pretty good at it. Well my hand is getting tired so until my next letter I remain,
23 Training Group
Sqd. A
Jefferson Barracks, MO
Date 3-1-43
Letter No. 24
Rec'd 28-29-30-31
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
I am sorry I couldn't write sooner but I will tell you how it was.
On Friday, as I told you in my last letter, we had lectures & exhibitions on camouflage. It was very interesting. The lieutenant told us the important facts about camouflage. He said this was the only Technical Training School (J.B.) that had a course in camouflage. That means that Joe Cohn didn't get it. After the lecture we went thru the camouflage area to see the different layouts they set up. They had large nets with colored cloth on them t cover certain make believe ammunition dumps & fox holes & things of that sort. One Sunday the pictures were in a St. Louis paper & cut them out. So they will give you an idea of what some look like.
After chow that same day my name was on the shot list so I got my last tetnus shot. I got back and just had a few minutes to drop you the letter previous. It's this one.
Sat. we had K.P. We got up at 3:30 & started to work about 5 o'clock. This time I had to carry bowls & trays over to the racks. I had the job before & so it made it a lot easier. The day went pretty fast & I didn't mind it so much. It seems the more I have it the quicker the time goes. We got done about 7:30P.M. I turned in early because it does make you tired.
Well things worked out pretty good for me this weekend.
As I told you, or I think I did, Helen Riley, the girl I met at the dance, invited me out Sunday (yesterday) if I wasn't shipped. She wrote me a nice letter telling me how to get there. I told her if I could get a pass for Sunday I would call her up. So Sun. morning after chow I applied for a pass. Then I went to church (8 o'clock mass). (At church I got a prayer book & a new testament, Roman Catholic version, wasn't that nice of them to give them to us). (By the way before I went into the church the chaplain came up the drive & I saluted him & he gave me a big smile. Gee it made me feel so good). (We also have to salute the nurses because they are lieutenants too).
After church I went to get my pass & I got it. It was from 9am Sun. to 5am Mon. morning. They call that a Revelie Pass. Most of the fellows got those passes. So I called her up about 10 o'clock. She wanted me to come out to have dinner with them but I told her no, because I didn't want to cause them any trouble. So I went out after I had chow at camp. In a way I'm sorry I didn't accept the offer to eat there because (this is funny) in the meal we had here they put a laxative and everybody was running to the latrine. We had to wait in line to sit down. (that's a fact) (Why some fellows couldn't hold it any longer) They were going to the latrine at all hours of the night. They say they put it in a meal once a month. Boy did I have to go. Boy everything in the army is a secret, even when they give you a physical.
I went out after chow. It took me an hr. & a half to get there. I had to take a bus & two trolley cars. I got there about 3:30. She introduced me to her parents & family. They live in a swell section of St. Louis (it's really a little outside the border of St. Louis) The live in a two story frame construction house. She has a very nice family and she is very well brought up, you could see that.
We went for a walk & she showed me some places in her neighborhood. They don't have any subways or elevators in St. Louis. Boy it was a job to explain the contraption. It was really funny.
This is the part that touched me the most. When we came back we ate. And Sun. night, the same as we did at home, had cold cuts & bologna & jello, you know just like we had at home. And on the radio they had the programs we listened to at home. I really felt home sick. Her two sisters were there so that made it 3 girls, her mother & father. I just could picture everybody at home in their places. And of course Grandma too.
After we ate, Helen, her sister & I played chinese checkers for a while & then we went to an ice cream parlor for a soda & a dance from the juke box.
We left there about 12 o'clock & I took her home & then went back to camp. I didn't gt too much sleep but I don't feel tired at all today.
Say Mae talked an awful lot about N.Y. After all we do live in the largest city in teh world. I told her about the amusements & different things about the city. So Ma it would be swell if you could send me some things I could show her to give her if I don't see her anymore. (I'll send them to her if I don't see her anymore, if I should get shipped). You could send me an advertisement page of the news showing the plays in the theatres & pictures & bands of the big shows etc. And could you send one of those street directories (a duplicate of Manhattan & map). And if you got a map of N.Y.C. and something about the world's fair & activities of N.Y...Oh yes, could you send me those pictures of Schultz's house, the one my boss designed. I told her a lot about it. I hope this won't cause you any trouble, but I like to show her these things because she is a nice girl & she is interested.
You could send me some more writing paper too. Boy it certainly goes fast. How much have I got left.
By the way they all admired the gloves Ann made for me. They thought they were swell. And they certainly are warm.
I'm eating Ann's cookies as I am writing this letter. Boy they taste just as good if not better than last time. I passed them once & then I put them away because they started to come back for more. See that's how good they are.
Did you hear from Frank yet, Ann?
I hope that fortune teller is right, a nice happy home, sounds so good.
Ma I always will go to church & confession as long as I can. I always wear my medal & Scapular. As for my money left, you hit the nail on the head, no money to put in my belt so I got it in my locker.
My ankle feels fine & I'm in the best of shape.
Boy I'm so glad your condition is good ma. It makes it a lot easier for me too knowing that you are OK.
Yes Ma this camp is pretty big. I think there is a total of about 50 to 80 thousand soldiers here.
There is no word of what school I'm going to. The only time I will find out what school is when I get there I guess.
Gee thank Grandma for the dollar. It certainly came in handy. I got 2 souveniers already & I'm trying to get something for everybody. So far I haven't got anything for Grandma & Pa because it is pretty hard to get souveniers for those relations. Maybe you can give me a suggestion.
I'm glad they are going nip & tuck at those blackouts because they should get the people war conscious even though war never comes here. They have to be prepared just the same.
Boy Bobby certainly is going to town with the unit. Say being I'm in the service. She can send me one, if an extraordinary one comes along. If I even get a few spare moments I'll read it.
Say Bobby, I get a bit mixed up on right flank and left oblique movements. I can do both but when the P.I. shouts off they sound the same some time. But I'm getting pretty good at it. Well my hand is getting tired so until my next letter I remain,
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 18
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-15-43
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. U.S. Army Letter No. 18
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 21
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well here it is Mon. morning & it started to snow again. It was very cold on the drill field so they let us go back to our huts a little earlier. That's how I got the time to start this letter & will probably have time to finish it tonight.
Yesterday we had K.P. One day of [?]. We had to get up at 3 am & we worked 'til 8 at night. But it isn't so bad, in fact, most of the fellows would rather have K.P. than be on the drill field. My job at K.P. was to put the bowls & cups into trays to be sent thru the sterilizer. I got an easy job this time. After that's finished we mopped the floor & then did little things around to waste time until dinner came & then we went thru the same procedure. So you see it really isn't so bad. Boy let me tell you all, we had some meal there. I think it's one of the best one I've had so far. It seems I have developed an appetite & just want to keep on eating and eating even though I'm full. For dinner I had ham, potatoes, carrots & peas, celery, soup & crackers, bread & butter, coffee, pie & ice cream, then I went up for some more ham & potatoes & another piece of pie & ice cream, oh yes & an apple. I really don't know where I put it all. But ma, no matter how good I say the meal is here, there is nothing I would like better than one of your meals. All the meals here are just lacking that little touch of yrou hand & that extra flavor that counts so much.
We have a new system of eating now. (I don't like it). We have to wait 'til a whole table is finished lined up (10 at a table) and then we all sit down together. When the last person is finished (me) we all get up and go out together. It certainly is a nice style but I like to take my time and I'm usually the last one done. But I guess I'll get used to it. (So I had to stop this letter until the night).
I had to leave for chow & then we went to drill and we drilled all afternoon in the snow. (It was snowing). Then we had to run & go down a steep hill & everybody was slipping, etc., me being one of them. I sprained my ankle a little but it's all right now. Besides I'm resting up tonight (as I usually do at night).
I don't know whether I told you of the routine, I mean the times we do things during the day, so I shall state the times.
At 5 o'clock we get up, we get dressed, mop up, straighten up the hut, make the fire, wash up & fall out for chow at 6:20, after chow about 7 o'clock to 7:30 we polish our shoes & do odds & ends around the hut. We fall out at 7:30 for roll call & then they take us tp the drill field (which is a walk over hill & dale) we drill from 8 to 11:30 (usually the same thing & a little added each day). We come back to our area for roll call & go to chow about 12 o'clock. From chow we come back to our huts or go to the latrine & fall out for drill about 12:45. We drill from 1-4:30 (we get a ten minute break) we come back from the drill field for mail call & go to chow about 5:40. When we get back from chow (about 6:20) we got the rest of the time for ourselves. Lights go out at 9 o'clock. The latrine is open all night. I make a visit usually each night (It's about 300 yds. from our hut). At night most of the fellas wash their clothes or take showers or go to town or go to some amusement in the camp. The only place I went was to see "Arsenic & Old Lace" as I told you & when I went to St. Louis to get your pillow case.
The Sargent made a little speech tonight and said we had the huts better than any in all the rest of the flights and we were on the top of the list. He also apologized for us having K.P. Sunday. But he said it was beyond his control. He just got his orders & he had to carry them out. He is really a nice fellow.
How is that summary, O.K.? I guess I should have wrote it a lot sooner but I really don't have much time to think to[o] much.
Today one or the fellows (the fellow that got all the food stuffs from his folks) received his camera, and guess what it was exactly the same as mine, exactly the same. How is that for a coincedence. We will probably take pictures Sunday. The sargent promised us if we're here we don't have to work on Sunday. We got his word. I say if we are still here because if they really need men in certain branches they ship them to another camp & they get their basic & schooling together. 3 fellows were shipped out yesterday as I told you in the last letter. That's why I told you not to come. It coule have very well been my branch they would have called.
Ma could you get (or anybody) me a map of the U.S. or something I could follow the places where I went or will go. I remember when we came on to here, it would have been much more interesting to spot the places as we passed them, right?
Today I received your letter, a letter from Grandma & Aunt Anna, & one from Aunt Margaret. Aunt Margaret doesn't say much just asked me how I am.
You say in your letter ma, I asked questions in my letters that you already answered. What are they ma? I know I asked you about Frank's address, but as I told you, your letter was delayed at Camp Upton & I received it a few days ago & wrote Frank immediately. As for Eleanor - well I think I will have to find time to write her a letter.
Holidays mean nothing to us in the army. One day is the same as another.
I haven't got my leather gloves with me. And I try to take care of my clothes the best of my ability.
The fellows in my hut are swell fellows. There are 4 fellows from N.Y., 2 from Fall City, Nebraska, 1 from Kansas City, Missouri. All are my age except one from N.Y. He's a quite gentle type man of 35. A swell fellow, but doesn't take to much. I get along with them very well although I really can't call one really my buddy. I guess I will have to stay a little longer to really call them my buddies. Although they are the friendliest bunch you ever saw.
Ma ask me all the questions you want, as I said once before because I really can't write things you would like to know because I don't know what you would like to know. I try to write as much as I possibly can but there are always those little things that are [of] so much value to you that I probably wouldn't think of. Isn't that right? So I say again ask me all the questions you want to, O.K., ma?
It really seems a very long time since I went away from home, because so much happened to me since I left. Yet when I sit down & think it seems like only yesterday since I went away. I miss you all so much.
I'm just finishing up Ann's cookies while writing this letter. I really am ashamed of myself for eating theym all myself but they were too delicious to spare. I hope I'm not selfish. I even take them to drill field with me. Well I think that's all for now. So I'll sign off now.
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. U.S. Army Letter No. 18
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 21
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well here it is Mon. morning & it started to snow again. It was very cold on the drill field so they let us go back to our huts a little earlier. That's how I got the time to start this letter & will probably have time to finish it tonight.
Yesterday we had K.P. One day of [?]. We had to get up at 3 am & we worked 'til 8 at night. But it isn't so bad, in fact, most of the fellows would rather have K.P. than be on the drill field. My job at K.P. was to put the bowls & cups into trays to be sent thru the sterilizer. I got an easy job this time. After that's finished we mopped the floor & then did little things around to waste time until dinner came & then we went thru the same procedure. So you see it really isn't so bad. Boy let me tell you all, we had some meal there. I think it's one of the best one I've had so far. It seems I have developed an appetite & just want to keep on eating and eating even though I'm full. For dinner I had ham, potatoes, carrots & peas, celery, soup & crackers, bread & butter, coffee, pie & ice cream, then I went up for some more ham & potatoes & another piece of pie & ice cream, oh yes & an apple. I really don't know where I put it all. But ma, no matter how good I say the meal is here, there is nothing I would like better than one of your meals. All the meals here are just lacking that little touch of yrou hand & that extra flavor that counts so much.
We have a new system of eating now. (I don't like it). We have to wait 'til a whole table is finished lined up (10 at a table) and then we all sit down together. When the last person is finished (me) we all get up and go out together. It certainly is a nice style but I like to take my time and I'm usually the last one done. But I guess I'll get used to it. (So I had to stop this letter until the night).
I had to leave for chow & then we went to drill and we drilled all afternoon in the snow. (It was snowing). Then we had to run & go down a steep hill & everybody was slipping, etc., me being one of them. I sprained my ankle a little but it's all right now. Besides I'm resting up tonight (as I usually do at night).
I don't know whether I told you of the routine, I mean the times we do things during the day, so I shall state the times.
At 5 o'clock we get up, we get dressed, mop up, straighten up the hut, make the fire, wash up & fall out for chow at 6:20, after chow about 7 o'clock to 7:30 we polish our shoes & do odds & ends around the hut. We fall out at 7:30 for roll call & then they take us tp the drill field (which is a walk over hill & dale) we drill from 8 to 11:30 (usually the same thing & a little added each day). We come back to our area for roll call & go to chow about 12 o'clock. From chow we come back to our huts or go to the latrine & fall out for drill about 12:45. We drill from 1-4:30 (we get a ten minute break) we come back from the drill field for mail call & go to chow about 5:40. When we get back from chow (about 6:20) we got the rest of the time for ourselves. Lights go out at 9 o'clock. The latrine is open all night. I make a visit usually each night (It's about 300 yds. from our hut). At night most of the fellas wash their clothes or take showers or go to town or go to some amusement in the camp. The only place I went was to see "Arsenic & Old Lace" as I told you & when I went to St. Louis to get your pillow case.
The Sargent made a little speech tonight and said we had the huts better than any in all the rest of the flights and we were on the top of the list. He also apologized for us having K.P. Sunday. But he said it was beyond his control. He just got his orders & he had to carry them out. He is really a nice fellow.
How is that summary, O.K.? I guess I should have wrote it a lot sooner but I really don't have much time to think to[o] much.
Today one or the fellows (the fellow that got all the food stuffs from his folks) received his camera, and guess what it was exactly the same as mine, exactly the same. How is that for a coincedence. We will probably take pictures Sunday. The sargent promised us if we're here we don't have to work on Sunday. We got his word. I say if we are still here because if they really need men in certain branches they ship them to another camp & they get their basic & schooling together. 3 fellows were shipped out yesterday as I told you in the last letter. That's why I told you not to come. It coule have very well been my branch they would have called.
Ma could you get (or anybody) me a map of the U.S. or something I could follow the places where I went or will go. I remember when we came on to here, it would have been much more interesting to spot the places as we passed them, right?
Today I received your letter, a letter from Grandma & Aunt Anna, & one from Aunt Margaret. Aunt Margaret doesn't say much just asked me how I am.
You say in your letter ma, I asked questions in my letters that you already answered. What are they ma? I know I asked you about Frank's address, but as I told you, your letter was delayed at Camp Upton & I received it a few days ago & wrote Frank immediately. As for Eleanor - well I think I will have to find time to write her a letter.
Holidays mean nothing to us in the army. One day is the same as another.
I haven't got my leather gloves with me. And I try to take care of my clothes the best of my ability.
The fellows in my hut are swell fellows. There are 4 fellows from N.Y., 2 from Fall City, Nebraska, 1 from Kansas City, Missouri. All are my age except one from N.Y. He's a quite gentle type man of 35. A swell fellow, but doesn't take to much. I get along with them very well although I really can't call one really my buddy. I guess I will have to stay a little longer to really call them my buddies. Although they are the friendliest bunch you ever saw.
Ma ask me all the questions you want, as I said once before because I really can't write things you would like to know because I don't know what you would like to know. I try to write as much as I possibly can but there are always those little things that are [of] so much value to you that I probably wouldn't think of. Isn't that right? So I say again ask me all the questions you want to, O.K., ma?
It really seems a very long time since I went away from home, because so much happened to me since I left. Yet when I sit down & think it seems like only yesterday since I went away. I miss you all so much.
I'm just finishing up Ann's cookies while writing this letter. I really am ashamed of myself for eating theym all myself but they were too delicious to spare. I hope I'm not selfish. I even take them to drill field with me. Well I think that's all for now. So I'll sign off now.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 16
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-12-43
Flight "F" 360 T. S.S. Letter No. 16
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 18 & 19
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
Thurs. we drilled in the usual routine. I always like to start off with what I did since I last wrote & then answer your letters. Thurs. afternoon 24 of us were called out for special drill for a guard duty. The[y] called the just 24 in alphabetical order. We were given rifles and were taught how to present arms, etc. We all had to serve two hrs. of guard duty. I got from 4 am to 6 am (Fri. morn.). I ordinarily get up at 5 so I only missed one hr. sleep. The other fellows had to get up an[d] serve two hrs. early in the morning such as 12 to 1 etc. We had to sleep with our clothes on & at 5 min. to 4 the corp. of the guard would wake us up. When I got finished at 6 I went to chow. After chow we had to go out on the drill field & practice. The past few days it's really been cold here. After drill we had chow & then in the afternoon we had a parade at retreat for the General. The band was playing & we had to march past the General. It went pretty good. The only thing was my feet really hurt a bit today - after all I have been on them from 4 this morning. Tonight I'm going to bed early and catch up on some sleep. Well I think that's all for the present.
Today I also got a letter I mean a card from Frank. I'm glad I wrote him, so that he probably will get it.
You say Cliff squawks about the amount of food he gets. Well he can always go up for seconds. That's what they do here. I didn't go up for seconds because one fills me up but I'm always eating crackers or something after chow.
Say before I forget it, I just went down to get one of the packages. It was from Barb. Well as soon as I opened it I knew what it was & then I polished my 3 pairs of shoes. I'm so glad I got it because we have to polish our shoes every day & I hated to borrow it all the time.
Your letters get here in two days ma. That's plenty fast enough. You sent this letter on the 10th & I got it on the twelfth.
I haven't smoked very much. I smoke my pipe once in awhile. At my permanent camp you can send me some tobacco. I could use a little wrist broom for my clothes (small one) & some handkerchiefs. Whenever you get to the ave. will be all right. It's really no rush.
I'll try to write Grandma as often as I can ma. You know I'll try to make her as happy as I can.
Well I think that's all for now. I'm going to take a shower & then hop in bed. So with my next letter,
Flight "F" 360 T. S.S. Letter No. 16
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 18 & 19
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,
Thurs. we drilled in the usual routine. I always like to start off with what I did since I last wrote & then answer your letters. Thurs. afternoon 24 of us were called out for special drill for a guard duty. The[y] called the just 24 in alphabetical order. We were given rifles and were taught how to present arms, etc. We all had to serve two hrs. of guard duty. I got from 4 am to 6 am (Fri. morn.). I ordinarily get up at 5 so I only missed one hr. sleep. The other fellows had to get up an[d] serve two hrs. early in the morning such as 12 to 1 etc. We had to sleep with our clothes on & at 5 min. to 4 the corp. of the guard would wake us up. When I got finished at 6 I went to chow. After chow we had to go out on the drill field & practice. The past few days it's really been cold here. After drill we had chow & then in the afternoon we had a parade at retreat for the General. The band was playing & we had to march past the General. It went pretty good. The only thing was my feet really hurt a bit today - after all I have been on them from 4 this morning. Tonight I'm going to bed early and catch up on some sleep. Well I think that's all for the present.
Today I also got a letter I mean a card from Frank. I'm glad I wrote him, so that he probably will get it.
You say Cliff squawks about the amount of food he gets. Well he can always go up for seconds. That's what they do here. I didn't go up for seconds because one fills me up but I'm always eating crackers or something after chow.
Say before I forget it, I just went down to get one of the packages. It was from Barb. Well as soon as I opened it I knew what it was & then I polished my 3 pairs of shoes. I'm so glad I got it because we have to polish our shoes every day & I hated to borrow it all the time.
Your letters get here in two days ma. That's plenty fast enough. You sent this letter on the 10th & I got it on the twelfth.
I haven't smoked very much. I smoke my pipe once in awhile. At my permanent camp you can send me some tobacco. I could use a little wrist broom for my clothes (small one) & some handkerchiefs. Whenever you get to the ave. will be all right. It's really no rush.
I'll try to write Grandma as often as I can ma. You know I'll try to make her as happy as I can.
Well I think that's all for now. I'm going to take a shower & then hop in bed. So with my next letter,
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 15
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-10-43
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. Letter No. 15
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 17 & card
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
How are you all? I am O.K. I'm getting used to this drill & calisthenics & obstacle courses. It seems to grow inside of you like anything will once you get used to it.
Today we drilled & did calisthenics as usual & as our obstacle course we had to hike up & down steep hills & I do mean steep. Boy it got you tired but after its all over you feel pretty good.
Tonight we are confined to our huts.
Tonight I also received a letter from Eleanor. Thanks, Ele. (You better get that march down pat, I'm beginning to like marches).
I got a beautiful card from Ann. Thanks Ann. And I do miss you all the same as you miss me you all know that. And I hope you & ma can come to see me.
It's too bad about Frank, but don't worry everything is going to be all right. I'll tell you why. Anybody which has high as spirits as him makes out O.K. It's never failed yet. Take my word for it.
Boy I'm waiting for those cookies. I hope they come in a hurry. Ann I will express my honest opinion of them when I taste them but I can almost smell them already. I know they will be good. Especially 1000 miles from home.
I really need that shoe polishing kit also. We shine shoes everyday. We also [are] supposed to shave everyday also. Anything that looks a little dark they make it hard for you. Good training huh. I'm not kidding.
As for Edie coming home to work in spring, I don't think it's possible. I never heard anything like it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Boy it's good to hear my name called out on that mail list each day. You don't know what it does to you. I also got 2 from Ele today & Dot & Dave. Each a card & a letter.
Well I think that's all for now except that I think I wrote to everybody Sunday I forgot to tell you. I dropped a card to all our relations etc. Well so long for awhile hoping you all remain in the best of health.
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. Letter No. 15
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 17 & card
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
How are you all? I am O.K. I'm getting used to this drill & calisthenics & obstacle courses. It seems to grow inside of you like anything will once you get used to it.
Today we drilled & did calisthenics as usual & as our obstacle course we had to hike up & down steep hills & I do mean steep. Boy it got you tired but after its all over you feel pretty good.
Tonight we are confined to our huts.
Tonight I also received a letter from Eleanor. Thanks, Ele. (You better get that march down pat, I'm beginning to like marches).
I got a beautiful card from Ann. Thanks Ann. And I do miss you all the same as you miss me you all know that. And I hope you & ma can come to see me.
It's too bad about Frank, but don't worry everything is going to be all right. I'll tell you why. Anybody which has high as spirits as him makes out O.K. It's never failed yet. Take my word for it.
Boy I'm waiting for those cookies. I hope they come in a hurry. Ann I will express my honest opinion of them when I taste them but I can almost smell them already. I know they will be good. Especially 1000 miles from home.
I really need that shoe polishing kit also. We shine shoes everyday. We also [are] supposed to shave everyday also. Anything that looks a little dark they make it hard for you. Good training huh. I'm not kidding.
As for Edie coming home to work in spring, I don't think it's possible. I never heard anything like it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Boy it's good to hear my name called out on that mail list each day. You don't know what it does to you. I also got 2 from Ele today & Dot & Dave. Each a card & a letter.
Well I think that's all for now except that I think I wrote to everybody Sunday I forgot to tell you. I dropped a card to all our relations etc. Well so long for awhile hoping you all remain in the best of health.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
P.S. I almost fort the other day I got a letter from Joe. He is in Miami Beach, Fla. He is in the same sort of T.S.S. as I am. His dog tag No. is 32712132. My no. is 32712172. Isn't that a coincidence.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 14
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-9-43
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. Letter No. 14
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd card 4, 14, 16
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
It is after 9 & lights are out so I came to the latrine to write this letter.
I dropped you a card telling you I had K.P. on Mon. Well as I said it wasn't so bad. Sometimes we just didn't have anything to do. They had a system here. And the dishes certainly are a heck of a lot cleaner. They sterilize them here.
When we wasn't busy we just had to do something to make us look busy & there was nobody to push the heck out of you.
When we got out of K.P. we had to go back and get our huts clean for G.I. inspection. Boy did I sleep after that.
Tues. we were taken on the drill field and drilled. After regular drill & calisthenics we had to run up & down hills & each time the sarg. blew the whistle we had to drop on our stomachs. We had to do the same thing in the afternoon. It certainly makes you tired but after it's all over & you was up you feel like a million bucks. In the night (tonight) we had to see a picture on military courtesy. That's the reason I'm in the latrine.
Well I guess that's all for today & I will answer your letters. I got 6 letters today. A beautiful valentines card from Mom & Dad. One letter from Ann. Thanks, Ann. It's good to hear from everybod[y]. Letter #4 which was delayed from Camp Upton & had Franks address in it. That's why I kept asking all the time. So I wrote a letter to Frank just before I wrote this one. I got two letters from Ma. One of which had the two dollars in it. Ma how did you know I was pretty low on money? In my letter I wrote Sunday, I said so, but you didn't receive that letter before you wrote that one. I guess it's telepathy. Could be huh.
The food is still good & plentiful. But I would give a hundred bucks for a meail like yours ma. I really think the army life is putting weight on me. My pants are beginning to shrink already (I mean the waist) & I didn't wash them yet.
Ma, you know I brush my teeth but it's good to be reminded of it because I forget once in awhile. Everything you taught me, like not changing clothes as soon as it gets a little warmer, etc. helped me out tremendously because the weather is so changeable here.
I'm glad to hear Ele is playing that piano frequently. Has Ele learned anything new yet?
To make my be in the morning it's just routine now. In fact this is our routine. I don't think I told you yet.
We get up at 5, dress, fall out for roll call, straighten our huts, shine shoes, mop the floor, go to chow, come back to our huts, got to drill field, come back 11:30, mail call, chow, got to drill field, back again, mail call, chow, after chow we have off. So far we had off very little. Well that's our routine every day you get used to it & we just got to like it. Well I sign off now & I'll write Ele tomorrow night as we have to go to the show again.
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. Letter No. 14
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd card 4, 14, 16
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
It is after 9 & lights are out so I came to the latrine to write this letter.
I dropped you a card telling you I had K.P. on Mon. Well as I said it wasn't so bad. Sometimes we just didn't have anything to do. They had a system here. And the dishes certainly are a heck of a lot cleaner. They sterilize them here.
When we wasn't busy we just had to do something to make us look busy & there was nobody to push the heck out of you.
When we got out of K.P. we had to go back and get our huts clean for G.I. inspection. Boy did I sleep after that.
Tues. we were taken on the drill field and drilled. After regular drill & calisthenics we had to run up & down hills & each time the sarg. blew the whistle we had to drop on our stomachs. We had to do the same thing in the afternoon. It certainly makes you tired but after it's all over & you was up you feel like a million bucks. In the night (tonight) we had to see a picture on military courtesy. That's the reason I'm in the latrine.
Well I guess that's all for today & I will answer your letters. I got 6 letters today. A beautiful valentines card from Mom & Dad. One letter from Ann. Thanks, Ann. It's good to hear from everybod[y]. Letter #4 which was delayed from Camp Upton & had Franks address in it. That's why I kept asking all the time. So I wrote a letter to Frank just before I wrote this one. I got two letters from Ma. One of which had the two dollars in it. Ma how did you know I was pretty low on money? In my letter I wrote Sunday, I said so, but you didn't receive that letter before you wrote that one. I guess it's telepathy. Could be huh.
The food is still good & plentiful. But I would give a hundred bucks for a meail like yours ma. I really think the army life is putting weight on me. My pants are beginning to shrink already (I mean the waist) & I didn't wash them yet.
Ma, you know I brush my teeth but it's good to be reminded of it because I forget once in awhile. Everything you taught me, like not changing clothes as soon as it gets a little warmer, etc. helped me out tremendously because the weather is so changeable here.
I'm glad to hear Ele is playing that piano frequently. Has Ele learned anything new yet?
To make my be in the morning it's just routine now. In fact this is our routine. I don't think I told you yet.
We get up at 5, dress, fall out for roll call, straighten our huts, shine shoes, mop the floor, go to chow, come back to our huts, got to drill field, come back 11:30, mail call, chow, got to drill field, back again, mail call, chow, after chow we have off. So far we had off very little. Well that's our routine every day you get used to it & we just got to like it. Well I sign off now & I'll write Ele tomorrow night as we have to go to the show again.
Love, Tony
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 12
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-4-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 12
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd card 4 & 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well this [is] the first real chance I got to write since I last wrote you. Please check the no. of this letter. I'm not sure whether it's 11 or 12. But make this no. 12 anyway. Everybody was free tonight after working the past three days (nights) to fix & clean up the huts. Tonight anybody can get a pass into St. Louis & must be back by 1 o'clock. But I'm staying right here in my hut & catch[ing] up with my mail. I didn't receive any mail since I was here, but boy did it come in last night. I got 13. And tonight I got 1 from you ma. You really can't express the thrills I get when I get regular mail from you ma. I really got a kick out of the way you kept writing even though you couldn't send them. And then when I did get them all it was easy to keep track of & made it so much more interesting.
Before I answer your letters ma I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer. On one of my cards I sent you I told you I took those mechanical apptitude test. Well we all was interviewed and believe you mas I got a swell corporal as an interviewer. We talk together and discussed the drafting branches of the Engineers of the Air Corps and he said that I did exceptionally wel in my tests and with my background I should make out very good in my army career. They let you take [two] choices of schools & then try to send you to one of them. Most fellows will just go to school to learn how to run mechanical equipment. The first school I was recommended for was TOPOGRAPHIC DRAFTING, which requires 3 months schooling & then if you pass that you can fill out an application for officers training school. If I do make that school which is one of the top schools I will get a technician 5th grade which is corporal with a T under it. It looks like this [symbol]. Now after all that if I don't make the grade for drafting I could have taken basic drafting which (as the corp. said) is very elementary. So I took my second pick as surveying. But the grade will not be as high. The corporal said I got a pretty good chance. So I just got to sit back & pray.
What do you say about taking a trip out here. It would be very simple traveling & I'll pay all your expenses to come out here (when I do get paid). They have placese where you can stay here for a couple days. I'm quite sure I will stay a couple more weeks. It will take 24 hrs. by Grand Central R.R. You could leave [at] 9 (for instance on morning) and get here [at] 9 the next morning. No matter what time you get here they will call me no matter where I am. As I said it will take you 24 hrs. from N.Y. so St. Louis by train. Then you just have to step into a taxi cab and say take me to Jefferson Barracks and they will take you to the gate. Then a guard will take you to visitors information. Tell them who you want to see & they will call me. Pretty easy huh. Let me know. Well all week we went to shows getting lectures & pictures on first aid, reasons why war came, what to do in case of accidents, etc. We have to walk about [two] miles there after chow in morning & then back to chow at lunch time & then back again after chow & then back again for chow at supper then mail call & then clean up our huts and pass inspection. That's what we were doing since we go[t] into these huts on Sunday.
I'll start to answer your letters now. Ma your letters are most interesting & the longer the better.
The first is the card. It was really swell & don't worry ma I will keep my chin up. The next one is #5 the one forwarded from [Camp Upton] Boy it sure sounds swell to hear the way you fixed up my roon. I just can picture you all sitting there. It sort of puts a lump in my throat.
Talking about Frank, I asked for his address but I gues syou forgot it. That reminds me. When we were down in the theatre, we were singing all the songs (The air corps song is mine now ma). but anyway the leader said what about the marine's hymn, so we all gave a roar and they put the words on the screen. Well ma I got so much feeling inside of me I just couldn't finish the song. Tears actually started to roll down my cheeks.
How are those pills affecting you? To tell you the truth ma, you really don't need pills in my estimation.
I don't think anybody can get a furlough until about 6 months of service. Whether you are not doing anything or visa versa. The most you can get is a pass over the weekend. I think it's the same in all camps.
I must agree with you Pops letters didn't sound so bad.
The pictures are really swell, that's a couple more for my collection.
This letter #9 it came with the three in one. So Teenie is still crabbing. Well that's one thing I won't hear anymore.
I hope you keep me posted the way you've been doing in your letters. They're swell, especially when they come so regular.
Please acknowledge to Mr. Massa that the kit he gave me is coming in very handy & as soon as I get a chance I will drop him a line.
Thanks for sending the box ma. I certainly will be happy when I get it.
I am really sketching this I would like to say much more but this is really getting short I almost spent 2 hrs. on this now. The fellows are arguing (friendly) and I had to put my two cents in to[o]. I would write all night but we have to put lights out at 9 o'clock & I started at 7 right after chow. I wanted to write Ele tonight but I guess I'll put it off 'til tomorrow. I just dropped her cards as I did to you ma.
The last letter I received was from you tonight about the hair I sent you ma. That was certainly cute.
I guess you're wondering who I got the 13 letters from. Well I got 5 from you ma, 2 from Elfrieda, 1 from Grandma & Aunt Anna, 3 from Eleanor, 1 card from Pat & Dave, 1 from Joe's mother. Joe is in Miami Beach, Florida. He is in tech. training school the same as me.
Please tell Eleanor & Grandma I will answer as soon as I get a chance. I'll tell you more about the camp when I get plenty of time. Probably on Sunday.
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 12
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd card 4 & 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
Well this [is] the first real chance I got to write since I last wrote you. Please check the no. of this letter. I'm not sure whether it's 11 or 12. But make this no. 12 anyway. Everybody was free tonight after working the past three days (nights) to fix & clean up the huts. Tonight anybody can get a pass into St. Louis & must be back by 1 o'clock. But I'm staying right here in my hut & catch[ing] up with my mail. I didn't receive any mail since I was here, but boy did it come in last night. I got 13. And tonight I got 1 from you ma. You really can't express the thrills I get when I get regular mail from you ma. I really got a kick out of the way you kept writing even though you couldn't send them. And then when I did get them all it was easy to keep track of & made it so much more interesting.
Before I answer your letters ma I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer. On one of my cards I sent you I told you I took those mechanical apptitude test. Well we all was interviewed and believe you mas I got a swell corporal as an interviewer. We talk together and discussed the drafting branches of the Engineers of the Air Corps and he said that I did exceptionally wel in my tests and with my background I should make out very good in my army career. They let you take [two] choices of schools & then try to send you to one of them. Most fellows will just go to school to learn how to run mechanical equipment. The first school I was recommended for was TOPOGRAPHIC DRAFTING, which requires 3 months schooling & then if you pass that you can fill out an application for officers training school. If I do make that school which is one of the top schools I will get a technician 5th grade which is corporal with a T under it. It looks like this [symbol]. Now after all that if I don't make the grade for drafting I could have taken basic drafting which (as the corp. said) is very elementary. So I took my second pick as surveying. But the grade will not be as high. The corporal said I got a pretty good chance. So I just got to sit back & pray.
What do you say about taking a trip out here. It would be very simple traveling & I'll pay all your expenses to come out here (when I do get paid). They have placese where you can stay here for a couple days. I'm quite sure I will stay a couple more weeks. It will take 24 hrs. by Grand Central R.R. You could leave [at] 9 (for instance on morning) and get here [at] 9 the next morning. No matter what time you get here they will call me no matter where I am. As I said it will take you 24 hrs. from N.Y. so St. Louis by train. Then you just have to step into a taxi cab and say take me to Jefferson Barracks and they will take you to the gate. Then a guard will take you to visitors information. Tell them who you want to see & they will call me. Pretty easy huh. Let me know. Well all week we went to shows getting lectures & pictures on first aid, reasons why war came, what to do in case of accidents, etc. We have to walk about [two] miles there after chow in morning & then back to chow at lunch time & then back again after chow & then back again for chow at supper then mail call & then clean up our huts and pass inspection. That's what we were doing since we go[t] into these huts on Sunday.
I'll start to answer your letters now. Ma your letters are most interesting & the longer the better.
The first is the card. It was really swell & don't worry ma I will keep my chin up. The next one is #5 the one forwarded from [Camp Upton] Boy it sure sounds swell to hear the way you fixed up my roon. I just can picture you all sitting there. It sort of puts a lump in my throat.
Talking about Frank, I asked for his address but I gues syou forgot it. That reminds me. When we were down in the theatre, we were singing all the songs (The air corps song is mine now ma). but anyway the leader said what about the marine's hymn, so we all gave a roar and they put the words on the screen. Well ma I got so much feeling inside of me I just couldn't finish the song. Tears actually started to roll down my cheeks.
How are those pills affecting you? To tell you the truth ma, you really don't need pills in my estimation.
I don't think anybody can get a furlough until about 6 months of service. Whether you are not doing anything or visa versa. The most you can get is a pass over the weekend. I think it's the same in all camps.
I must agree with you Pops letters didn't sound so bad.
The pictures are really swell, that's a couple more for my collection.
This letter #9 it came with the three in one. So Teenie is still crabbing. Well that's one thing I won't hear anymore.
I hope you keep me posted the way you've been doing in your letters. They're swell, especially when they come so regular.
Please acknowledge to Mr. Massa that the kit he gave me is coming in very handy & as soon as I get a chance I will drop him a line.
Thanks for sending the box ma. I certainly will be happy when I get it.
I am really sketching this I would like to say much more but this is really getting short I almost spent 2 hrs. on this now. The fellows are arguing (friendly) and I had to put my two cents in to[o]. I would write all night but we have to put lights out at 9 o'clock & I started at 7 right after chow. I wanted to write Ele tonight but I guess I'll put it off 'til tomorrow. I just dropped her cards as I did to you ma.
The last letter I received was from you tonight about the hair I sent you ma. That was certainly cute.
I guess you're wondering who I got the 13 letters from. Well I got 5 from you ma, 2 from Elfrieda, 1 from Grandma & Aunt Anna, 3 from Eleanor, 1 card from Pat & Dave, 1 from Joe's mother. Joe is in Miami Beach, Florida. He is in tech. training school the same as me.
Please tell Eleanor & Grandma I will answer as soon as I get a chance. I'll tell you more about the camp when I get plenty of time. Probably on Sunday.
Please let me know in a hurry
whether you would like to come
ma I'm really very anxious.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
whether you would like to come
ma I'm really very anxious.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 5
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-23-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 5
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 1
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele.
I received your letter yesterday ma, in late mail. Boy was I glad to get it.
Now ma don't worry about any doctor bills. It's not worth worrying about; the only thing is that you get better in the best possible way & means. Isn't that right?
I am glad Ele wrote to you mom. It will be so much better if you all keep in contact with each other.
You ask me how am I getting along with Joe. Well Joe was shipped Wed. as I told you in my last letter. Joe never got K.P. duty. Clifford is complaining about the food huh. Well I think we all are complaining. As for my feet I have no trouble yet. Was Clifford shipped yet?
While I think of it, will you send me Frank's address?
I really don't know whether all my clothes fit me or not. I didn't put on my O.D.'s yet. (Official Dress) The fellows wear them at night & they have to wear them when they are shipped. I usually stay in the barracks at night & write letters or go to sleep early, unless I have to get something from the P.X.
The shoes are very comfortable even tho they are heavy.
I can't answer the question about how army life is affecting me because this really isn't any life. There is no drill here, just details & that's a waste of time until you are shipped & believe me everybody wastes time, even the bosses.
On Thurs. we got a detail leveling off dirt outside our barracks. It was about 6 degrees out here. Boy was it cold. Later in the afternoon it started to snow. But it didn't last long.
On Fri. I got an easy job in the afternoon. I got guard duty detail in my barracks. There was a shipment going out & they met at our barracks. (My friend went on that shipment. That was the only one I got friendly with). I couldn't let anybody out without a guard. I guess it's just a safe precaution. I am friendly with them all but mostly him. I didn't want you to think that I didn't have any friends.
After that shipment there are only 12 on our roster. So I thought I would leave today. So I took a shower & shaved but I'm still here, ma[y]be I leave Sunday.
I certainly would have liked to have been shipped with the other fellows. But that's the way it goes. Ma[y]be it's because I have different qualifications.
Say did you get those pictures developed? As soon as I get to a new camp you can send them.
Did Ele go skating yet? How are they making out with the piano lessons? Or did you sell the piano? Joke.
Is grandma feeling OK?
How is Bobby's [Barb's nickname] event coming along?
& I don't have to ask you about my gloves. One is finished already. That's swell.
Well I think that's all for now. If I am shipped I will probably have time to drop you a line before I leave here. So so long for awhile, hoping you are all OK & send my best regards to Frank.
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 5
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 1
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele.
I received your letter yesterday ma, in late mail. Boy was I glad to get it.
Now ma don't worry about any doctor bills. It's not worth worrying about; the only thing is that you get better in the best possible way & means. Isn't that right?
I am glad Ele wrote to you mom. It will be so much better if you all keep in contact with each other.
You ask me how am I getting along with Joe. Well Joe was shipped Wed. as I told you in my last letter. Joe never got K.P. duty. Clifford is complaining about the food huh. Well I think we all are complaining. As for my feet I have no trouble yet. Was Clifford shipped yet?
While I think of it, will you send me Frank's address?
I really don't know whether all my clothes fit me or not. I didn't put on my O.D.'s yet. (Official Dress) The fellows wear them at night & they have to wear them when they are shipped. I usually stay in the barracks at night & write letters or go to sleep early, unless I have to get something from the P.X.
The shoes are very comfortable even tho they are heavy.
I can't answer the question about how army life is affecting me because this really isn't any life. There is no drill here, just details & that's a waste of time until you are shipped & believe me everybody wastes time, even the bosses.
On Thurs. we got a detail leveling off dirt outside our barracks. It was about 6 degrees out here. Boy was it cold. Later in the afternoon it started to snow. But it didn't last long.
On Fri. I got an easy job in the afternoon. I got guard duty detail in my barracks. There was a shipment going out & they met at our barracks. (My friend went on that shipment. That was the only one I got friendly with). I couldn't let anybody out without a guard. I guess it's just a safe precaution. I am friendly with them all but mostly him. I didn't want you to think that I didn't have any friends.
After that shipment there are only 12 on our roster. So I thought I would leave today. So I took a shower & shaved but I'm still here, ma[y]be I leave Sunday.
I certainly would have liked to have been shipped with the other fellows. But that's the way it goes. Ma[y]be it's because I have different qualifications.
Say did you get those pictures developed? As soon as I get to a new camp you can send them.
Did Ele go skating yet? How are they making out with the piano lessons? Or did you sell the piano? Joke.
Is grandma feeling OK?
How is Bobby's [Barb's nickname] event coming along?
& I don't have to ask you about my gloves. One is finished already. That's swell.
Well I think that's all for now. If I am shipped I will probably have time to drop you a line before I leave here. So so long for awhile, hoping you are all OK & send my best regards to Frank.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
P.S. This fellow who was shipped yesterday which I mentioned above, his name was James Crowley. I lent him a dollar. He will send it to you when he gets to his new camp.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 4
Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-21-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 4
Camp Upton, NY
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
I am sorry the other letter was delayed but there was nothing I could do about it. We were inside the prison camp and there was no way of mailing it.
Boy K.P. for 16 hours. What a job. It was like hell working there. There was a buck private there who thought he was General. He thought he could give all the orders he wanted. But take my word for it he didn't have a brain in his head. If he did, he wouldn't have cursed at the fellows like he did. He would have treated them nice so that they wouldn't mind working. We had to wash big kettles & trays, scrub floors, etc. In the afternoon I [got] a little wise and got a soft job taking my time cutting celery & cleaning it. The dishes were washed in a sloppy way, no sterilizers, just hot water, soap & scrubbing brush. The food is O.K. but probably the only reason we like it is because the day is long and you get tired, so naturally anything you eat tastes good. Sometimes at night I can just picture moms food before me. Boy what a treat.
Boy you get a funny feeling working around those prisoners. I don't know what sort of a feeling it is, but I hope I don't see any more.
I hope anything I said didn't dis[gust] you all, because it [isn't] like this in a regular camp. You won't have to wait so long to eat & the food will be much better, & they don't waste [any] time.
Here everybody wastes time unless you get a special assignment. Wed. we got a detail to go to the rubbish dumps & report to a corporal. He told us to pick up papers for 5 minutes then come back to the fire & warm up. We got warmed up & then went back to the barracks. In the afternoon we just went there & sat around the fire. Pretty easy huh. Everybody here wants to get out & start to drill etc.
There was a shipment yesterday. Joe & Bill went out with that shipment. I really don't know when we'll be shipped. I hope you got my letter & wrote back in a hurry.
I dropped a card to Dot & Dave thanking her for the writing kit. Yesterday I got a letter from her. I didn't think she would write so I didn't think I would put it on the cardI sent her. So she wrote me & I got it without any trouble. Boy I hope I hear from you all quickly that's the main thing.
Ann I was issued a pair of gloves, but they are working gloves so that your gloves will come in very handy.
The things I will need when I get to my permanent camp will be shoe polishing kit, sewing kit, & some instructions how to wash my clothes. Joke.
How is Frank working out?
I hope Grandma feels better.
And I know you are OK ma, right? & everybody else. I wrote Grandma & Elfrida also. So until my next letter I hope you remain all OK & if I should be shipped I will do my best to drop you a line.
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 4
Camp Upton, NY
Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
I am sorry the other letter was delayed but there was nothing I could do about it. We were inside the prison camp and there was no way of mailing it.
Boy K.P. for 16 hours. What a job. It was like hell working there. There was a buck private there who thought he was General. He thought he could give all the orders he wanted. But take my word for it he didn't have a brain in his head. If he did, he wouldn't have cursed at the fellows like he did. He would have treated them nice so that they wouldn't mind working. We had to wash big kettles & trays, scrub floors, etc. In the afternoon I [got] a little wise and got a soft job taking my time cutting celery & cleaning it. The dishes were washed in a sloppy way, no sterilizers, just hot water, soap & scrubbing brush. The food is O.K. but probably the only reason we like it is because the day is long and you get tired, so naturally anything you eat tastes good. Sometimes at night I can just picture moms food before me. Boy what a treat.
Boy you get a funny feeling working around those prisoners. I don't know what sort of a feeling it is, but I hope I don't see any more.
I hope anything I said didn't dis[gust] you all, because it [isn't] like this in a regular camp. You won't have to wait so long to eat & the food will be much better, & they don't waste [any] time.
Here everybody wastes time unless you get a special assignment. Wed. we got a detail to go to the rubbish dumps & report to a corporal. He told us to pick up papers for 5 minutes then come back to the fire & warm up. We got warmed up & then went back to the barracks. In the afternoon we just went there & sat around the fire. Pretty easy huh. Everybody here wants to get out & start to drill etc.
There was a shipment yesterday. Joe & Bill went out with that shipment. I really don't know when we'll be shipped. I hope you got my letter & wrote back in a hurry.
I dropped a card to Dot & Dave thanking her for the writing kit. Yesterday I got a letter from her. I didn't think she would write so I didn't think I would put it on the cardI sent her. So she wrote me & I got it without any trouble. Boy I hope I hear from you all quickly that's the main thing.
Ann I was issued a pair of gloves, but they are working gloves so that your gloves will come in very handy.
The things I will need when I get to my permanent camp will be shoe polishing kit, sewing kit, & some instructions how to wash my clothes. Joke.
How is Frank working out?
I hope Grandma feels better.
And I know you are OK ma, right? & everybody else. I wrote Grandma & Elfrida also. So until my next letter I hope you remain all OK & if I should be shipped I will do my best to drop you a line.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony
Tony
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
