Dear Helen

Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of Oregon
12/3/43

Dear Helen,

One down and 5 more terms to go. Our term ended today with a strenuous week with, about 13 tests which made our heads whirl a bit. But being I'm still here I guess I made out alright. They certainly keep us busy from morning till night so during this one week off I have to answer about 30 letters I couldn't answer as yet.

Before I say anymore I must confess I started a letter as soon as I received yours but I never got a chance to finish it. But that's no excuse, I should have found time.

I don't want to say much about the unhappy incident, but I want to express my deepest sympathy. Yes Helen there is only one place and that is heaven and that's so easy to say knowing his family as I do.

And for the happy occurrence, your sister's baby reminded me of an incident that happened in my family about 20 years. When I was born, my Grandfather passed away in the same week. And when my mother was talking about it, she said they were more than happy when I arrived because it took their minds off the incident that they didn't want to happen. I hope it was the same for your family.

I hope your sister's baby isn't like the baby I was. I hear I was an awful pest.

The term was 3 months long and we have 3 terms in basic before we go to advanced engineering.

It certainly is swell here and it's so far from being like the army that if I would ever flunk out it would be just like leaving home again; for the army. But I'll try to stay here as long as possible being I am learning something, getting actual credits, and having a good time besides. I guess it's unbeatable for the army. huh?

The "Hello Dance" was a sure success and we had a swell time. The boys in the unit here formed a band and from time to time they give dances and "Jive" concerts whenever they can get the gym. The sorority houses on the campus are always inviting the boys over for dances. Last week they gave four dances and we had a rare time. I spend my weekends at the "Casablanca Lodge Sorority House." It used to be a fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega) but being there aren't many boys on the campus the girls took over.

The boys also organized a football team. They had several games on Sat. afternoons which were quite exciting.

About 3 weeks ago, Marjorie Lawrence, the noted Metropolitan Opera star, came to the campus and put a swell opera on. There is usually something happening when it comes to the weeks end.

It was really funny last weekend. I was invited to the sorority house for dinner. Just me and another fellow was there and about 40 coeds and if you think it was easy sitting there--well anyway I certainly felt awkward. That will be the last time I accept a dinner date although it was a lot of fun.

We get one week off but only 7 days is not enough to go home so I will try to amuse myself here. I have plenty to do at any rate. Christmas shopping & letter writing etc.

I think I talked enough about me so will change the subject. How are you and how is everything ticking way out there in the middle states?

The weather out here is still mild. At first we had plenty of rain but for awhile now the weather has surprised just about everybody and it's really nice.

I hope I hear from you soon again and when you do't hear from me so soon I hope you will understand and just drop a postcard once in awhile, OK. I think in the new year's resolution I will put in one to have a petition signed by all the boys to the army personnel to give us a period during the day for writing letters. But you know the army, so.....

I certainly liked the compliment at the bottom of your letter "Lt. A.J. Curcio." It sounds good but I think it's quite a ways off yet. Still your the only that mentioned it. You certainly have originality anyway.

I'll close now hoping you are in the best of health and very happy and hope you have a real good old fashioned holiday spirit like the kind I dream of that gets me so homesick. Be good and give your family and the little baby my best regards.

Sincerely As Ever,

Tony

Dear Helen

8/13/43

Dear Helen,

I received your very darling card. It made me so happy that you wrote to me. Your so very thoughtful. And it's those little things that make the difference in this world.
About that glider accident at Lambert field. I didn't see it in the newspaper but just today I ran across it in "Life" magazine. I believe it was Aug. 16 issue. Boy that must have been awful to see.
That certainly is something to hear of a 43rd wedding anniversary. You don't hear that every day in the week. And when you do hear it, it makes you stop and think a little and just wonder. Boy that is something. "So your mother was married to one man all that time..."
What college I will be shipped to is hard to say. But by gosh how I wold love to got to see the University of St. Louis. That would be a treat. Believe me, and in more than one way.
I have been qualified for engineering. We had a series of tests & then we had to go before the board. It doesn't mean that I am a candidate for officers training but we can be recommended after the first 3 months. I'm not going to worry about officers candidate until I pass the course first. I don't want to count my chickens before their hatched. It's going to be plenty tough as we have to cover the same ground in one half of the time, and I'll have to do plenty of studying. And it is certainly what I want.
I'll tell you more in my next letter. I didn't expect to stay here this long so any day now we my ship out.
We took some pictures here & I shall enclose one. I hope you like it. So until my next letter (it will be longer) I remain

Sincerely as ever
Tony

P.S. Lights go out here at 10:30 and it is now about 10:29. Thanks again for writing. Even in a short letter from you means more than a 10 page letter from most of my friends. T

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 64

P.F.C. Anthony J. Curcio

Co. "A" Star Unit 3902

Univ. of Idaho, Moscow Idaho

Date 7/30/43

Letter No. 64

Rec'd --

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I received the telegram tonight. I hope I didn't give you the wrong idea. You said in the telegram that I should hurry home. Well I explained everything in the letter I sent last night. I hope I didn't disappoint you in the telegram. I tried to state clearly that I wanted the money just in case and not that I was coming home. I felt so bad that you did take that interpretation of the telegram. But the reason I wanted the money sent here in a hurry was that I didn't want you to send it to McChord Field & chances are that I will be shipped pretty soon to a permanent college and if the course shouldn't start for a while I may get a furlough until it does start. But I am not in a college yet. I have to pass exams & go before the board here before I get to a permanent college. So keep your fingers crossed. Chances are pretty good that I will be shipped closer to home as they are shipping quite a few to the eastern colleges. So there again keep your fingers crossed.

Then after the first 3 months of my course I get one week off & if I am near home things would be perfect. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Today we didn't do much except study all morning. 5 of us in the little room[...]discussing problems on trig & geometry until my head was spinning. The afternoon we went to one of the buildings to fill out some papers on our schooling and discussed the program. If I pass the tests & the [?] I will be qualified for basic engineering. And after 9 months & I still qualify I can take advanced engineering in civil engineering. I think it's an excellent opportunity. Don't you?

In this course we will get no passes during the week & one pass over the weekend. So it will be no picnic & will have plenty of work to do.

My eyes are bothering me from staring at figures so much. I hope they snap out of it. I guess it will. After not doing anything for quite awhile it's only natural that they should bother me until I get on the ball again.

As I look out of the window you get the most beautiful sights. This country is very hilly & the hills are covered with different patches of vegetables & grass. It looks like a patch quilt in different shades of green. It looks like a painted picture. Oh it's so beautiful I only wish you were here to see it.

The weather is really nice here & is cool at night so I slept pretty well at night.

I will close now hoping everything is clear and hoping you are not disappointed in me not getting my furlough just now & hoping you are proud that I got a chance to try for an army college.

So until I write again I remain,

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony