Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 68

P.F.C. Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" STAR Unit 3902
U. of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

Date 8/8/43
Letter No. 68
Rec'd 103, 104, 105

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I was so happy to receive two letters. It seems like I waited so long for them.
You say that Coney Island is getting full of negros [sic]. Isn't funny how different races keep moving from one section to another. I guess in another 10 years the Ridgewood section will have a different language, I mean nationality, in it. Isn't that right?
If I was back at McChord Field and I did get my furlough I would not be able to fly home as the army restricted that just in case of emergency. But we don't have to worry about that for awhile. I am sorry to say. But if I did get my furlough it would be 7 days & traveling time. I hope you didn't feel too disappointed that I didn't get my furlough. I guess you were disappointed but we'll just keep our fingers crossed that the college I get sent to is East?
You said that you will go to church to see Elfrieda get married if she considers you all as friends. Well I'm glad she did send the invitation because there is no hard feelings and never will be. I wish you would buy Elfrieda a wedding present and put a little money gift in for me. $5.00 I guess. What do you think ma. I think I should put something like that to show that there are no feelings. Isn't that right ma?
You guessed right when you guessed I didn't have any money. You see we were shipped from McChord on the 29 & the 31 was pay day. That means we were red lined & won't get paid till next month or ma[y]be a partial payment on the 15 of August. Thanks ma. I will hold on the the money to see how I make out at the college.
Our trip from McChord was made at night so I didn't see many towns but I think I know the route. First we went north about 30 miles to Auburn to get a pullman car. Then we headed east passing thru Palmer, Roslyn, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Beverly, Othello, Walden, [?], Ritz, Cheney, Spokane. Then we headed southeast passing thru Rosalia, Oaksdale, Garfield, Palouse, Pullman & thru Moscow. I cam pretty sure that's the route. Moscow is right on the border of Washington & Idaho.
I still have my map. Boy I certainly traveled a lot. But I have one desire & that is to travel east.
You ask me what happened to Peggy. Nothing happened to Peggy. Peggy was just a good friend but I think, in fact I know, I like Anita a lot better even tho I know her for such a short time.
Anita is about 5'1" has brown hair, greenish blue gray eyes (I don't know what the color is you would call that). She is slim (probably only weighs as much as Boby). She has a perfect set of white teeth and cute. Do you think you can picture her. I'll see if she's got an extra picture & send it to you. Oh I forgot she's 18 years old.
Helen Riley still writes to me. And she always writes a nice letter too.
I think my eyes bothered me because I wasn't used to staring at books. They feel better now.
I feel fine especially getting to bed regular each night. It really does you a lot of good.
Friday we had the same routine in school.
Sat. we just had classes in the morning & Sat. afternoon we were able to go into town if we liked but we only went in the nite. Boy what a dull town. Anita said in one of her letters "I laughed a little when I looked on the map and found out that Moscow only had a population of 300 four thousand people." She said "It must be an awful come down, just N.Y. then Tacoma, & now Moscow. But there is the compensation of peace & quiet which will be helpful in studying." I think she's right. But still is an awful dull place on Sat. nite. THere are two small movie houses. Two dance halls & a carnival that moved out last night. We went to the show & saw "They came to blow up America." It was pretty good. Then we went to the dance and didn't stay there very long as the average age of the girls there were so young & most of them couldn't dance. Then we took a look at the carnival, we stayed there about 15 minutes. So all in all we had a fine time doing nothing. In a way I'm glad tho, as Anita says "a peaceful quiet town will help in studying." Right?
Today I'll write letters & study.
The weather here has been cool. I like it too, I can think good in cool weather.
How is Boby making out with her unit? And how is Bob & Ele making out with the piano? And how is Ann making out with her knitting? Let me know ma. I hope everybody is in the best of health. Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Thank Ele for her clipping. I don't know what's happening to Brooklyn. It won't seem like Brooklyn without Camilli, will it?

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 61

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

Date 7/19/43
Letter No. 61
Rec'd 99

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Before I start my report I have to get something off my chest. It happened yesterday at Spanaway Lake. Boy was it funny. Peggy & I went there & we were going for a canoe ride. But before we did we met Brono Borella & a fellow from the surveying squad I work with. Well anyway they got a canoe & Peggy & I got a canoe. We were paddling around & it came time to go in. So we had a little race to the dock. We were about 25 ft. from the dock when Brono & the other fellow lost balance & over they went. Well ma & all I had some laugh. The only thing I was worrying about was to take a good picture with my camera. I hope they turn out. But I felt so sorry for them, their newly pressed suits. Every time I think of it I have to laugh.
The pictures I took last Sunday turned out pretty good only they make me look so fat. I think I will have to get a new jacket. One which fits me a little better. What do you say?
We started our training today but one of the jobs is not finished yet so we had to go over to the job to survey. We have one day of training & one day on the job until its finished.
Joe D'Angelo lives in Queens. A very short distance from where we live. And when I get my furlough I won't hesitate to see his people. Boy do I miss home.
We had pretty good weather lately. In fact it's only rained a couple of days in quite awhile. Boy it's a swell state when the sun shines.
I didn't hear anything about my furlough yet. Gosh I will have so much to say. I just don't know where I would start.
I am a bit tired tonight ma from yesterday & today. I kept my shirt off on the job & got a bit of sun burn & it makes you feel sort of sleepy. I will close now hoping you are all in the best of health & very happy. So until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Solider Boy,
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 57

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio

1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S

McChord Field, Wash

Date 7/3/43

Letter No. 57

Rec'd --

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It's Saturday afternoon and inspection is just over. But it ended kind of abruptly because as the Major started down the ranks, mother nature poured down a bucket of water & drenched us all. In about 30 seconds you couldn't find a dry spot on us. And just ten minutes before that the sun was shining so you can see what weather we have here although it was the first time it happened to me.
Tues. nite (6/29) I went to the show & saw Song of Texas. It wasn't bad.
Wed. nite I was in charge of Quarters (C.Q.). It was the first time I had it in the army. Many of the fellows had it many times. We just have to stay in the orderly room from 5 at nite to 8 in the morning & take charge of things.
Thurs. (7/1) believe it or not I was made P.F.C. I believe I should have made it a long time ago but I don't squawk. In the nite I got a pass & went to a carnival at Pt. Defiance park with Peggy. They only had a couple of rides but we still had a pretty good time.
We didn't start our training yet and we are still working on the road job surveying.
The weather was pretty good for about a week. And believe me when the sun is shining & you can see Mt. Ranier. It certainly is a pretty sight and every time you see it, it looks different.
I have been in the best of health. Just once in awhile my eyes felt tired. I guess I don't exercise them enough. I really should read once in awhile.
I can't write much ma because nothing too much has happened.
Oh. I almost forgot. I got the handkerchiefs & cards. Thanks a lot. Did you get the package I sent you with the present in?
I also sent the tin box where the cake was in. I put some letters in the box. You should get it pretty soon.
I will close now & I hope everybody is just fine & in the best of health.

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S. If it's nice tomorrow I may go swimming at one of the lakes with Peggy. I'll tell you about it next week.
P.S. I got my P.F.C. stripes on Grandma's birthday so it's a double celebration.

I just received letters 91-92-93 & a family album. They came all at once & I also received a letter from my toos. [?] He got an honorable discharge from the Marine candidate school and is now working & with a New York firm.
Boy that certainly was a cute idea about every writing in the little booklet. And especially when Grandma signed it. I felt so happy when I saw the last page. Thank Grandma for me and give her an extra big kiss for me.
I appreciated your trying to hold back Grandma's present ma. But as long as she liked it, it doesn't make any difference.
Boy that's quite a heat spell N.Y. is having. Sometimes I wish we had one just like it here. But I'd rather be in it in N.Y. with everybody else.
I'm glad Dad like the cigarette case and I hope Ele will like her present too. And I'm glad you were able to keep it a secret from her even though you weren't able to keep it from Grandma, Right?
The medal that Aunt Margaret gave me came in the box with all my birthday presents.
I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Margaret being in the hospital. I will try to write real soon to her.
I shall close once again and I am so happy because I received the mail

Love & Kisses
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 56

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio

1875 Avn. En. Bn. C. H & S

McChord Field, Wash.

Date 6/28/43

Letter No. 56

Rec'd 88-89 & 90

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Hello everybody! I hope everybody is fine. I am felling swell. I weighed myself yesterday at Peggy's house and I weigh 163. My shirt & pants probably don't weigh much but the G.I. shoes may weigh some. Oh, shucks, I had my civilian shoes on so that's all the more weight I picked up then.

I am still doing the same routine surveying on the road job. But I believe the first of the month we will start training again.

Wed. nite I went to the U.S.O. dance. It wasn't bad.

I also received a letter from Elfreida Wed. & she told me she was planning on getting married to that other fellow this fall. I felt a bit downhearted at first but I am just the same now as I was before. I guess it's for the best.

Sat. (26) nite I got a pass & went to the U.S.O. dance with Peggy. We had a grand time. And yesterday I went over to her house after church (that's when I weighed myself) and we had something to eat & then we went to the park to get some sunshine & fresh air. At night we went to a dance at Spanaway Lake. They have a nice dance hall there. Then we came home. We had a swell time.

Next week and if things are ok we will go swimming at Spanaway Lake & then go dancing. She said she will bring the lunch. We will take pictures too. Ok?

Boy what letters I have to write. I don't know who to answer first & where to start. But I eventually will answer them all.

I got a letter from Joe D'Angelo and I believe he feels a bit discouraged but he has a lot of spirit and I'm sure he will make out OK. He thanked you for your card. He said he would write you. He writes he misses me an awful lot, especially after he got a package from his father. He's a swell kid.

Thanks for your swell cards ma. They make me feel swell.

Thank Bobby for her letter. The only thing is, I wish I could answer them. I hope my 3 little sisters aren't disappointed.

So I think I will close now and I'll try to write sonner next time.

So until then I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 54

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

Date 6/18/43
Letter No. 54
Rec'd 84 & 85

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Here it is Fri. nite and for the 5th time this week it has been raining. We had very little sunshine this week.
Well my transfer didn't go thru as I expected it to. So I guess I have to stick to this outfit. I found out there were to be no transfers. Why I don't know. I guess I'll click in here sooner or later.
Remember in my last letter I said I was going to the show to see "Five Graves to Cairo." Well I did go and I enjoyed the picture an awful lot. Franchot Tone played an excellent part.
On Monday (14) there was a show in camp. It was "Camel Caravan" and boy was that a swell show. They had professional singers, comedians & dancers. Boy they certainly made us laugh. The master of ceremonies was a dead picture of James Cagney and boy did he act like him. I think the show was better than some I saw over in the N.Y. Paramount.
Wed. nite I went to the U.S.O. dance with Peggy Johnson. We had a swell time again. You ask me what she looks like. Well she has light brown hair, bluish gray eyes (I think), and I believe she is slightly overweight, although she doesn't look it. I have her picture, if you would like to see it, let me know.
We are still surveying on the road job, and things are progressing O.K. In fact I should say quite well.
I just got an idea. I am thinking of joining up with the aviation cadets. I am writing with a buddy of mine right now and was talking to him about it. He passed his test and waiting for his call to go to school. What do you think of the idea ma?
I sent a birthday card to Grandma. I would have liked to get something a little better but I didn't have any choice at the PX. But it's still pretty cute.
I don't know how Ele hurt her wrist she wrote me but I forgot. But it's all better now anyway.
I certainly appreciate Eleanor sending the clippings. I sure like to read them over. I will try to write to here when I get a chance. And that certainly was cute with all the jokes on the outside of the envelope.
Well I shall close now. I feel fine & hope everybody is the same. So long for a while

Love & Kisses
Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 52

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

Date 6-13-43
Letter No. 52
Rec'd 82 & 83

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well here it is Sunday nite. It was gloomy out all day & just now the sun is streaming. We had rain almost all week. This is one state you can't judge the weather. I remember back in N.Y., you usually could judge the weather the nite before by looking at the stars and the sky. But here it's just impossible.
I am still surveying on the road job. It's progressing pretty good. I just got done talking to one of the lieutenants in our outfit about the transfer I applied for last Sunday. He said it was in base headquarters and if they approved it, it would to thru. I must have talked about an hour to him. Boy he's a swell guy. He is one of those guys you can talk to because he worked himself up from buck private (enlisted man) to what he is now. And he know what it's all about.
On Wed. (6/9) nite there was a formal dance at the U.S.O. and Peggy Johnson said she would go with me. So we went and had a swell time. She went in her graduation dress and really looked swell. We had a grand time.
Thurs. (6/10) I was called down to the main post office and there was a slip there requesting the package you sent to J.B. They just wanted to see whether I received it or not. They are trying to trace it. They had all the merchdise listed so I guess if they can't trace it they will refund you. I hope so there was an awful lot in the box.
I guess it's safe to tell you now that I sent you pictures. Once for you mom & one for Grandma. I hope you like them. I had two proofs made & told him to pick out the best one. I borrowed the hat from Bruno Borella. I also sent Ele one. I hope you like it. And when you give Grandma hers give her a kiss for me O.K. I would have sent it to Grandma direct but you know how I feel with Aunt Anna there.
I went to the Post show last nite and saw "Captive Wild Woman." It was something on the style of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde. I didn't like it so much.
My cold is well rid of and I feel fine. I told you it was only a slight cold and I treated it just like you used to do at home. Vicks Vapor rub before I go to bed and plenty of rest. How is that?
I am glad you had a nice time at Coney Island. I received your card.
We get plenty of meat here. It seems like the army has just about everything.
I hope they pick out a nice spot for their vacation. Maybe something like Jersey's Breezy Knoll?
I don't know whether I mentioned it in my last letter, but that certainly was a smart idea put "glass" stickers on the outside of the box will the cake, because I received it in perfect condition. Boy was that cake good.
I just don't know where I got the bracelet, but I think I got it the day before my birthday.
I did receive that letter telling me that Grandma gave me $5 for my birthday. And I believe I did thank Grandma for it. But I shall say it again. Thanks a million Grandma. Please keep it in my secret bank. I don't need it right now. In fact the way I am arranging my budget I don't think I will need it & you can save it.
Ele is fine & I just got a letter from her. Her wrist is better now.
The reason I didn't receive no. 75 is that you had two #76. I didn't mention it as long as I knew. O.K.
I think I may go to the show tonight as there is just time to make it. I think they have "Five Graves to Cairo" or something like that. I'll tell you about it in my next letter.
So I shall close hoping you are all in the best of health & very happy. And I hope you like my pictures. So until my next letter
I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 51

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

Date 6/7/43
Letter No. 51
Rec'd 79-80-81

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Hello everybody. Well here it is Monday nite and once again I have a pile of mail to answer. I'll name some I have to answer - Sonny, Helen, Marnie, Miss Anderson, Bruno Borella, Joe D'Angelo - quite a few huh!
To start off I must tell you what I did yesterday. You remember I told you I went to the U.S.O. dance last week. Well I met a girl up there and we got to talking, and she told me about one of the beautiful parks they have here. So I said how would you like to go Sunday and show it to me. She said O.K. and so we went. And believe me mom, the park is beautiful. They have a small zoo (nothing like Central or Prospect) but it was nice. And they have rides (nothing like Coney Island) but it's nice. But the scenery and flowers and views far surpass that of any park I have ever seen. It over looks the water (Puget Sound) and it's beautiful. The park's name is Pt. Defiance. The girl's name is Peggy Johnson. She is a very nice girl and can dance swell.
If I can get a pass this Wed. we will go to the U.S.O. dance. I got some postcards of the park and street. I will send them soon.
Janet Blair is the one that played in "My Sister Eileen") was at the Recreation hall last week. But I didn't go because I wanted to write letters.
One of the lieutenents is going to try to get me into the drafting dept. for awhile if there is an opening, but I have still better news. We got a new company commander (1st Lieutenant with 15 years service) and he said that anybody who thought he was not fit for the outfit or felt he was misplaced should see him and he would try to get him a transfer. So I went up to see him. So I did. I told him I would like to go to topographical drafting school as I was classified to go and he said that he would try to get me transferred. He was swell. So maybe I'll be transferred. Who knows.
I have been surveying on a new job now & it's not so bad. We get another job as soon as one is done.
Ma everybody admires the bracelet so much. Boy I'm proud to wear it. They also like the ring too. And Ma the cake was so delicious it went so fast. The fellows went nuts over it. But don't ever do anything like that again because the people at home feel the food ration [?] us. But mom it was swell. And the cherries. Oh Boy.
We are all on field rations ma (all camps) but we still get plenty to eat.
Elfrieda got a sprained wrist and she writes short letters but it is getting better and she is writing long letters again.
I just got a letter from Helen and she is O.K. She tells me quite a lot about the flood but it is not near her home. I will enclose a clipping she sent me.
I certainly would like to hear that new piano piece Ele's got. let me know how she makes out with it.
The weather here is getting nicer, not so much rain anymore. Did I ever tell you when the sun sets here? Well it sets about 9 o'clock here. They say in the middle of summer there is only about 5 hrs of darkness. Some differences from N.Y. huh.
Well I shall close now & hoping everybody is in the best of health. So until I write again I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S. I have a surprise for you ma. It will be on its way soon.