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. 140

Aug. 1, 1944
 Tues. night
#140
Rec'd 205

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I wanted to write last night but we had some work to do so I had to put it off until tonight.  Sat. the battalion had a convoy of G.I. trucks going to Santa Monica (about 18 miles from Los Angeles, right on the coast like Long Beach).  So I went along as we didn't need any money for transportation & no money needed to a place to sleep as they provided for it.  They took us to a place called the U.S. Army Recreational Camp.  They had tents there like we had a J.B. and a big restaurant & dance hall right in the heart of Santa Monica.  It was really swell.  They had a dance there and I had a nice time.  Sunday after 12 o'clock mass (we went to Hollywood to go to mass) we went to Earl Carrol's Theater & Night Club.  They had dancing from 2 - 5 in the afternoon on the stage.  They didn't have any show.  It's really a swell place.
We had an inspection yesterday and we were told to get rid of all our excess stuff so I put it in the valise and sent it home yesterday.  I got a field jacket in there which was excess and Ele can wear it.  It just has to be cleaned a little.  I think she will like it.  Let me know.  I have shirts in there also which you just can put away.  I also got a 11 armored book in there which they were selling here.  It's since the div. was started.  I thought you would like to have it.  Also cards I got in L.A. and the last minute I got the banner & cards from Helen so I put this in on top.
I wanted to go to see the mission at Santa Barbara but we had to go back with the convoy so it would have been too much traveling so I ope we can go next week.  That is one of the missions in the string from San Diego to San Francisco that was built by Junipero Serra about 200 years ago.  One of the cards I sent home has them all listed.
I'll enclose a money order in this letter for $30.  Maybe I'll be able to send more later.  Take out what I owe you and anything that you need at any time.
Boy ma you look swell on that picture.  I can see by the picture that you are improving tremendously without a doubt.  And that hairdo is super.  It makes me so happy ma.
Yes, Grandma should go to the doctor.  I hope you do persuade her.  Let me know.  Give Grandma my love & kisses and tell Grams I'll try to write tomorrow.
Aunt Anna writes me that Grandma went with her to a concert & also over to N.Y. to buy a dress.  It sounds very unusual.  Doesn't it ma?
I got a swell letter from Bob and I'll try to answer it as soon as possible.
I got cigarettes for Pop's birthday and will try to get them off as soon as possible also.
I still hear from Helen about every other day.  I'll enclose a picture you can look at and send back or keep it if you like.  O.K.  Helen is on the right her sister Mary on left.  [below]

I'll write real soon again.  Until then take good care of yourself or should I say keep up the good work.  Until then

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 139

7/26/44
Wed. Night
#139
Rec'd 204

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I received your swell letter yesterday.  I just can't wait til mail call comes each day.  It seems so long from one day til the next.
Since Sunday we have been out on the field most of the time.  I'm on guard duty tonight.  I was lucky not to get guard duty since I'm back.  I really don't know how they missed me so long.  
I believe beginning next month we will work 7 days a week for some sort of training.  I'll know more about that in a few days as the end of the month is Monday.
Helen writes me about every other day.  Not short letters like Tiny's either.  She is a swell sincere girl ma.  She went on a vacation and took a lot of pictures and she sends a few in each letter.  I'll enclose a few pictures and you can send them back after you all look at them.  Say ma what about making a few handkerchiefs?  This will be the last batch I promise you ma.  That sounds funny doesn't it?
Thanks for sending me the money ma.  You don't know how handy it came in as I was practically out of money.  I can't thank you too much ma.  When I send money home you can take it out.
I am so glad the baby likes her job.  Remember when I brought my first check in ma?  From Fairchilds.  I believe it was $26 and a few odd cents.  I was so proud & can see how the baby felt.
I am glad Grandma is getting better and I guess your next letter will tell me she is alright.  Give Grandma my love & kisses.  OK ma.
I didn't hear from Elfrieda since that explosion occured.  I hope she is all right.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear from her.  I am also glad Al's mother finally got a letter.  Is he expected home pretty soon?  And how about Henry?  I never did find the wisdom tooth ma.  I'm sorry.
Take good care of yourself ma and write soon again.  Remember I wait impatiently for your letters.  Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy

Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 137

7/17/44
Monday
#137

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well here it is Monday already and I'm sort of getting use[d] to the old routine again.  Since I last wrote on Thursday things are seeming pretty smooth.  Sat. I had K.P. but K.P. over the weekend is always easy & I got done about 5:30.  I went to the show Sat. night & also last night.  Sat. I saw "Manpower" with Ed. G. Robinson & George Raft & Marlene Dietrich.  It was an old picture and after seeing about 5 minutes of it I recalled I [saw it] a couple of years ago but it was still a good picture & I enjoyed it an awful lot.  
Sunday morning I went to 8 o'clock mass and the chaplain gave a very good sermon on choosing friends.  He usually does give a good sermon.  I wrote letters until noon & in the afternoon I played softball with the co.  We played against Co. C and naturally lost.  We didn't have a regular team but I think the boys are going to start one.  Then as I told you I went to the show at night & saw "Canterville Ghost" with Charles Laughton & Robert Young.  It was a crazy picture but it was supposed to be a comedy & it was very good.
The sgt. good quite a rich (?) about the Carstairs Whisky.  He said he didn't have any Carstairs in ages.  He thanked me an awful lot.
Tell Ele that Helen finally found a Jefferson Barracks banner & she will send it to me soon.  The Ele will have a banner from every place I've been stationed at.  O.K.  Huh! 
Tell Pop that I won't be able to get anything for his birthday until payday & I may not even get paid then because I didn't sign the payroll this month as they signed it on the 7th & I got back on the 12.  But sometimes they sign it for you.  If not I'll have to wait until Sept. 1.  I certainly hope they signed it for me.
I signed up for those 10 bonds they put out for service men.  It's $7.50 a month and $10 maturity value.  So you'll get one of those a month instead of one $25 bond every 3 months.  I think that's better don't you?
Helen also sent me a postal card of that excursion boat that we took which I was at St. Louis Sat. night.  I'll enclose it in this letter.
Say could you get a few pictures made of Barb & Ele & I on one picture that we took at Calley Stream & the one of just Bob & I also.  Just 3 of each.  O.K.  I want to send one to Tiny & Anita.  
So far I didn't hear anything of us moving out although there are a lot of rumors you can't count on.  I'll let you know in case I should find out.
Well how is everything ma?  How do you feel?  Are you getting a sun tan?  Why don't you try going to a show ma or don't you feel too safe yet?  How is Grandma feeling and how is the garden coming along?
Did Ele get the job at the Telephone Co.?
I wrote to Frank & told him about the swell cake Ann made.  Boy I bet his mouth will water.
I guess that about all for right now.  I'll write soon again & until then take good care of yourself ma, don't do any work & get plenty of sunshine.  Give my love & kisses to Grandma & the rest of the family and give Sandy a cracker for me.  O.K.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S. Tell Grams I won't need any stamps for a while yet.  Grams gave me plenty didn't she.

Love

T

 

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 114

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

3/6/44
Letter No. 114
Rec'd 176

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well we found out where we are going. It's back to California again. The whole unit is being transferred to the 11th Armored Division, Camp Cook, California. It's about 120 miles from Los Angeles. Santa Barbara I believe it is near. It seems to be a pretty good outfit. We will leave Thursday or Friday of this week and will be about a two day trip.
The term ended on Sat. and as soon as it did Tiny and I hopped on a bus and went to Salem. You see Tiny's term ended Sat. too and she has the whole week off. After we ate at Tiny's house we went to a show. I can't remember for the life of me what the name was. I'm getting awful forgetful. I think it was "What a Woman" with Rosalind Russell. It was awful good tho even tho I'm not sure of the name. Maybe you saw it?
This time I didn't want to cause Tiny's mother any trouble so I got a hotel room for Sat. night. She said I should have stayed at the house but I thought it would be better that way. Sunday morning we went to church and then after church Tiny, her parents and myself went for a ride to Silver Creek Falls. And boy what a beautiful sight to see. The more you see of the west coast the more beautiful it becomes. The Silver Creek Falls is 183 feet high and is in center of a beautiful park. A path winds down the side of a hill and goes right under the falls and it certainly is a thrill to walk under it. I'll try to pick up some pictures if I can.
When we came back we ate a swell meal and we sat around and talked and Tiny played the piano. We left about 8:30 and when I said goodnight to Tiny's mother, Tiny said she got tears in her eyes. It made me feel funny. Tiny drove me down to the station and we talked our parting words. At least I thought they were but I'm going to try to go up and see Tiny Wed. because she went to the hospital today to have her appendix out. They have been bothering her for quite a while now so she thought it would be best. I hope she's O.K. I'm going to call her later on tonight.
Today we went for a short hike this morning and have the rest of the day off. I cleaned up my room and I am sending the letters and some books etc. home. I am sending it C.O.D. if I can because my wallet is low. I hope you don't mind.
I am sending some pictures I got of some of the boys. I have more and will include some in each letter. O.K. I am also sending a group picture of our section last term.
I am in the best of health and Sat. morning I went to Company's dentist and had my tooth fixed. One of the fillings fell out a little while ago. I hope everybody is O.K. If Sandy gets too fresh you better strap on on him. He can't go around biting people. I hope Grandma's arm is better. I'll close now remaining

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele (Letter not numbered)

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

2/28/44
Letter No.
Rec'd 174

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

It seems like we will be shipped sometime during the week of March 5. Where or to what we don't know as yet. We will still continue classes till March 4. We had all our G.I. tests on Fri. & Sat. Feb. 25 & 26. To us the term is finished but we still have to go to classes. Most of the fellows are reading books during their classes.
Over the weekend Tiny & I celebrated because it will probably be our last weekend together. Sat. we went to the show & saw "The Lodger" & "Career Girl." Both were pretty good. After that we went [to] a dance at the Eugene Hotel. They had about 14 couples there and we had a swell time swinging, etc. Sunday morning we went to church. After church we ate and then took a hike because it was an awful nice afternoon. (The sun was out for a change). At night we went to the Westminster House (like last week) to hear the forum again. This time they talked about "Higher Education." It was very interesting.
I am including pictures we finally was able to take. I hope you like them. In the near future you will probably receive a letter from Tiny. She said she was going to write to you. When she does I think it would be nice if you kept corresponding with here just like you do Joe & Frank. I wish Boby would also write to her too after Tiny writes to you.
I received a card from Grandma with air mail stamps. Please thank Grandma for me. I'd much rather say it in your letter as I usually do.
I also received a letter from Ele. As soon as I get a chance and I think I will in the near future I will write to her. I am glad she likes the bandana.
I remember once you said that I should hold on to the furlough money that you sent to me last time. Christmas came along and little things I sent home etc. added up. I figured by the time the program was over in June I would have made it up but the program was cut off all of a sudden and that leaves me with a hole in the bag. So ma I wish you would put about 75 dollars aside in case I do get my furlough after I get shipped. I'll pay it back in the future. I just wanted to let you know in advance. I hope things work out O.K.
I'll close now hoping you are all in the best of health and very happy.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. After looking at those pictures of Tiny you can see why I hate to leave here. You can tell by the expression on her face she is sweet and kind. And she is a person I'll never forget, and a friend I'll always have.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 69

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

Date 8/11/43
Letter No. 69
Rec'd 105

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

There isn't too much to tell about what I am doing because the routine is the same each day. We go to classes in the morning (I am making out OK so far) (we had two quizzes so far and I got 79 & 80). In the afternoon we have military correspondence & then calisthenics & close order drill followed by a swell shower. In the night we have the study class ( where I am now writing this letter).
Monday nite after I got out of study hall & washed a few pieces of clothes & my shirt & pants. And Tuesday nite I ironed the shirt and pants. They didn't come out bad for an amateur.
Today I got a letter from Anita. She writes me about every nite. She's right on the beam. I also received an invitation for Elfrieda's wedding. What she sent one to me for I don't know.
Boy ma, did you hear from Joe D'Angelo? I didn't hear from him in quite awhile and was just wondering what's what. I hate to write to him until he writes to me because Davidson, Borella & myself feel that if there was anybody who should go to college, it was him. And if I wrote & told him we all made it I imagine it would hurt him a little even though nothing could have been done about it. I wish you would write to him ma & explain to him why I didn't write.
I feel if he heard it from you he wouldn't feel so bad. He's such a swell fellow. Boy when they shipped him they certainly took a part of me.
I bought a banner for Eleanor so she can hang it in her room. I will send it soon. I hope she likes it.
I hope Bob & Sis have a grand time on their vacation. If it was like last year I'm sure they will.
Boy Ele is certainly stepping out. Boy I would love to see you all again. I just pray every night I get someplace east. If it's far enough east ma[y]be some of you can come & see me? Ma[y]be huh? I'm praying.
I'll include some pictures I had made. One of the fellows took them at McChord Field (Difranza is his name, he is in one of the pictures). Some were also taken here. I wrote on the back describing them. I hope you like them.
The weather here is still swell. I'm in the best of health. Hope you all are also. So until my next letter I remain,

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Love & Kisses
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 65

P.F.C. Anthony J. Curcio

Co. "A" STAR Unit 3902

U of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

Date 8/2/43

Letter No. 65

Rec'd ---

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Boy being at this place portray the army life. We don't have revellie in the morning. Just get up & make your bed before 8 o'clock. But I got up for breakfast.

Sat. we took tests all day. First we were given a psychology test which wasn't to[o] easy. After that we were given an algebra test and last a geometry test. Boy they made my head twirl. I don't think they were to[o] hard. The thing is I didn't have anything like that in such a long time. But they say they are pretty lenient.

Sunday morning Davidson, Borella & I took pictures. I will include them in this letter. I think they came out OK. What do you say?

I also have some postcards which I will send.

Sunday afternoon, Davidson & I went to play a little golf on the University golf course. Davidson was trying to teach me. I got a couple of good wallops that made me feel pretty good. But I think I will need a lot of practice.

Sunday nite I studied some more with one of the boys. We are restricted to the campus grounds all week. The only time we are allowed off is 1 hr. from 5:30 to 6:30 at night incase we want to pick up a few odds & ends & Sat nite & Sunday afternoon we can get off the University grounds. Sunday nite we have to stay in and study. Every nite except Sat. & Sunday we have to come to the Study Hall (where I am now) from 7:30 to 9 o'clock. Then we go back to the barracks & lights out at 10:30.

Today we were supposed to be interviewed to see how we made out etc. But they weren't ready for us so we have to go back tomorrow. Boy I hate to wait in suspense.

I hope I receive some mail tomorrow. I didn't receive any since I'm here.

How is everything home? Is everybody OK?

I will close now because I want to write on the postcards & pictures. Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

On the back of the picture above, it says, This came the best. Borella is in the middle. Davidson is at the end. You can get a slight glimpse of the hills in the background. Taken on the campus grounds. 8/1/43