Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 146

Sept. 1/1944
Friday
#146

Dear Mom, Pa, Bob, Ann & Ele,

Hello everybody!  Here it is the end of another week and we are still at Camp Cooke.  We are having a party tonight, just company B which promises to be real good.  They are having t-bone steak & beer & ice cream as the specialty.  I don't think the beer & ice cream will mix well but who am I to squawk.
I went to the show Wed. night & saw a very good picture "Wing and a Prayer" with Don Ameche.  It was very thrilling and very worthwhile seeing.
The weather this week has been very changeable.  Some days hot, some days cold, some days misty.  Nothing like variety.
Thanks for starting the bank account for me.  Can you draw out on it ma?  I hope so for that's the way I want it in case you need any.  I'll enclose a $20 money order in this letter.
I took out a class E allotment which means that the government will $25 out of my month's pay & send it to you each month so that I won't have to send it to you.  Don't you think that's a good idea.  So now at the end of each month you'll get one $7.50 bond & a check for $25.  You can let me know when you get them so I know your getting them.  The first one you'll get will be Oct. 1 - or a little after.
I found out that the army has courses which anybody in the service can take by means of correspondence.  All you have to do is fill out an application and send $2 for the complete course.  So I filled one out & intend to take a correspondence course in structural design.  I'll let you know when I get it.  It will be a good review for me.  Don't you think so?
I got a letter from Frank & one from Joe.  They both don't say much but it was certainly good to hear from them.  I received your letter also telling me you got a letter from Joe so I don't have to tell you he's in Saipan.  Frank & Joe are pretty close now.  They're only about 200 miles apart.  
When you receive the compacts ma will you please send one to Anita with a little note wishing her a happy birthday as soon as you get it.  And send the other one to Helen at the end of the year.  Helen's birthday is the last day of the month.  If you send them to me I may not get them for a while if we move out before they get here.  O.K.  If you will do that it will save me a lot of trouble.  Anita's address is -- 
ANITA BECKER -- 1114 N. LAWRENCE ST. -- TACOMA (6) WASHINGTON
I don't need anything right now mom.  If I need anything after we move I will let you know.  O.D.  Thanks a lot.
I hope Bob & Ele have a nice time over Labor Day.  Let me know all about it.
My watch keeps perfect time.  I never have any trouble with it.  It seems like I'm the only one in the whole barracks that have the right time.  Everybody asks me what time it is.
I believe I did put on weight.  I weighed myself the other day and weighed 172 with my clothes on.  Pretty good huh!  I am in the best of health.
Boy the stamps certainly came in the nick of time.  I was just about to buy some as I had a little time but didn't have to as I got your letter.  You're right on the ball mom.  (Army slang, meaning "your tops)
I am glad Sgt. Myer is a prisoner of war because that means he's O.K.  I guess it did make everybody happy.
I couldn't finish the letter before because we had our little party (chow time) and it was really good.  The steak was pretty good.  We also had the beer, french fries, appetizer, pie & ice cream.  Boy am I full.
Well I'll close now the boys want me to go to the show so until my next letter I hope everybody is in the best of health.  Take good care of yourself now ma & give my love & best to Grandma.

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 145

Aug. 27, 1944
Sunday
#145

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It is Sunday afternoon and you'll be surprised to hear that the sun is out full blast and I am lying on my blanket on the sand between the two barracks with my shorts on getting a sun tan.  Some news huh!
I went to the show last night and saw a revival picture "The Desperadoes" in technicolor.  It was very exciting.  Did you see it?
I don't think I ever said anything about this camp having German prisoners of war.  Well yesterday I saw the stockade where they keep them.  (I had to report there for guard duty; I had to check the passes of the fellows going to town).  They certainly lead an easy life over here.  I think most of them are happy to be here & there are some who still think Germany will win the war despite of all our victories.  Very few of them can speak our language.
I am glad you liked the pictures and booklet & holy pictures.  Yes it is unforgetable.
You ask me how the beer tasted.  Well it wasn't bad but I'm not much of a beer drinker in the first place and in the second place it's G.I. beer (3.2%).  Beer back home is 8 or 9% I think.  But it's not bad.  
Boy I bet Bob is happy that one of them is coming home anyway.  I bet Henry has plenty of stories to tell.  I'm just curious who is going to spend the most time with him, Bobby or Mr. Massa?  I don't think Henry will like his fathers plans.  Do you?
So Ele is finished for a while.  I am proud of her and also that she did such a good job that he promised her a job upon returning.  That is something.
I'm getting hot in this sun.  I feel fine.  I hope you all are too.  Give my love & best wishes to Grandma.  Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

P.S.  I still haven't had a chance to get air mail stamps so this is another free one.

 
 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 117

3/19/44
#117
Rec'd 179

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It's Sunday afternoon and I am writing letters, catching up a little.  I got two letters from Tiny and went home Tues.  She couldn't walk much but I guess by now she is up and around and really feeling fine.
Thurs. night the boys put on a little show at the Service Club.  The boys that put on little skits at the U. of O. did it again at the Service Club and it really went over big.  On Fri. night the boys had a beer party so they ate late (about 7 o'clock).  All the officers were there and they had a pretty good time singing etc.  But they had a little too much to drink so the 1st Sgt. broke it up at about 10 o'clock.
During the day we have lectures and studying the nomenclature of the different vehicles and pieces.  Fri. night before the beer party we G.I. the barracks.
Sat we got off at 10 o'clock and they gave us passes the last minute so I went into Santa Maria.  I got in about 3 o'clock.  It's about 26 miles from Camp Cooke.  It's a very beautiful town and very clean.  It has a population of about 8,500.  I went to get a place at the dormitory they have there.  They only charge you 50 cents.  Something like they had in Seattle, Wash.  I went in alone just to get away from camp for awhile.  I walked around town looking at the different houses.  They are all beautiful.  The architecture is different and they are all light colors to reflect the sun's rays.  I went to the St. Mary's Catholic Church for a visit and gosh it's the greatest little church.  I said my rosary & lit a candle.
Then I went to a show and saw "Hey Rookie" and "The Ghost that Walks at Night."  They both were very humorous and were very good although they didn't have much of a story.  I got out at 9:30 & went to the dormitory and slept till 7:30 this morning and then went to 8 o'clock mass.  Then I came back to camp--ate dinner & here I am writing letters.  This outfit is pretty good and I guess I'll make out alright.
Say ma would you like to make Tiny a few crocheted handkerchiefs or something.  I would appreciate it an awful lot.  Let me know.  O.K.?
I picked up a few post cards which I will send in a separate envelope and also the pictures of the U. of O.
I received your letter, the ones you addressed to 11 Armored Div.  I guess I told you that in my last letter.  I am glad you liked the pictures and I hope you like the rest just as well.
We got a new commanding general and he lifted the restriction on civilian shoes.  It's a good thing I didn't send them home like the rest of the boys did.
I'll write soon again and until then I hope you all are in the best of health and very happy.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony