Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 144

Aug. 23/44
Wed. Night
#144

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Here it is Wed. already.  Boy time flies.  I can't say much in fact nothing of what we do but it's just more or less the same routine anyway so we'll let it go at that.  I can say will be leaving Camp Cooke (when I don't know) but I guess that's not much news anyway but it's pretty definite now.  Just don't say anything to anybody.  It just shouldn't be talked about.
I saw two good pictures this week one Sunday night & one tonight and both really were excellent and which I want you all to see.  Sunday I saw "Dragon Seed" with Katharine Hepburn and I don't like Katharine Hepburn too much but this picture was for her and nobody else and she certainly did play the part.   It was a perfect role for her.  I hope you can see it ma I know you'll like it and the story was taken from Pearl S. Buck.  I remember you telling me about the Chinese customs & ways from the books you read by her and the picture shows them up swell.  Maybe you can read this book?  Let me know.
The picture I saw tonight (we get off on Wed. nights) was "Janie."  And if you all want to laugh throughout the whole picture don't miss this one either.  Joyce Reynolds takes the lead & does an excellent job.  "Life" magazine of Aug. 21 has a preview of what it's like so you can get an idea of what it's like from the magazine.
The other day I was lying on my bunk and one of the fellows came in and left the door open and to tell you the truth the fog came into the barracks.  You could see it as it came through the door.  That's just to give you an idea of what the fog is like sometime.  You get used to it after awhile.
One of the boys (Brooklyn boy) gets a sheet from the Brooklyn Eagle sent to him with all the boys names on it and after he looks at it he gives it to me.  In this one I saw a Sgt. Major from 2031 Harmon St.  It's [?] familia.  Did you hear anything about him?
I received your 2009 & 210 letter & they were really swell.
Boy that was some storm in N.Y.  Gosh that must have been awful.  The weather outside of Lompoc Canyon (that's where we are) is swell.  It just is foggy.
I sure do hope Grandma is all right as you say maybe Gram needs to go out more like all used to.  Well it won't be long before you all be going out together again.  Right?
I hope Dad had a nice time on his vacation.  What did he do at Mastic Beach with Mr. Massa?  Go fishing?  Did he catch anything?
So Bob had a date with a guy from California.  Ask him if he wants to trade places.  He can have Calif. if he wants it.
Thanks for sending for the compacts.
I am glad you feel well ma.  I won't worry now ma.  As long as I have your word for it.
I receive a letter from Helen just about every other day & in her last letter she enclosed a picture of her sister's baby.  Ain't it cute.  Does it remind me of you ma?  Helen has 3 sisters & two brothers.  The picture was so cute I wanted you to see it.  You can send it back & I will send it back to her.  O.K.
I'll close now ma.  Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

P.S. #1 I'm all out of air mail stamps, but I do want to get this off tonight so I'll send it free.

P.S. #2  Please tell Gram I will write tomorrow & give Gram my love & kisses.

  

 
       

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 141

Aug. 6, 1944
Sunday Night
#141
Rec'd #206

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well here is the end of another week but this time it wasn't to prosperous as far as good times is concerned, but there is no reason why I should go out every weekend anyway.  Sat. night I (last night) went into Lompoc (that's a small town about 10 miles from camp) just to get out of camp I guess.  One of the boys and myself (he's a Brooklyn boy also) went to confession in a cute little church in Lompoc.  Then we bowled a game and then spent a few hrs at a dance.  It wasn't very exciting but we did pass the time away.  I sent you a little booklet from the U.S.O. about the town which will be good for your scrapbook.
Today we had to go out on the range all day.  So I missed mass.  I'll have to wait until next week to go to communion.  The capt. promised us off all day next Sat. because we went out today.  That ain't so bad, is it?
I received the four hankies and mom they're swell.  You say you hope I like them enough to send them to her, it never occurred to me for one split second not to send them to her.  How could she help but like them.  I sent them to her but she didn't get them as yet.  I also send Dad a carton of cigarettes for his birthday.
I hope Grandma can sell the house.  It gives her too many worries.  Right ma?  Give Grandma my love and tell her I will write real soon.
My writing isn't so good as I have a little bandage on my pinky and it makes it a bit uncomfortable when writing.  It's just a little sore.
I'm glad everybody remarks about your locks ma that's an excellent sign that you're picking up weight and getting along fine.  I certainly can tell that from the picture you sent me.  It's a honey.
What's new with everybody & everything?  Did Ann hear from Frank yet?  Did Bob hear from Al again? etc.  
I'll write soon again until then I remain

Your Loving Solider Boy

Tony

P.S.  I hope Sandy is getting to be a better boy.  How was he since you last wrote?