Dear Helen

7/7/43

Dear Helen,

As I am writing this letter I hope you are having a great time in the Ozarks. I think this is the longest period of time between letters since I am writing you. I hope you will forgive me that I was awful busy. I had to write that same line to all my friends I am writing to at this present time, and believe me I hate to do it.
Well Helen, I made P.F.C. after 6 months working for Uncle Sam. I hope you know that it's not [sic] what you know in the army, it's who you know & how well you can pull strings. I'm not trying to cover up for my lack of promotion but it's the truth. I know some of the dumbest guys that have more stripes than I'll ever see. But that's the army & I'm not squawking. I'll live and try to be happy.
Since I last wrote you I went to several U.S.O. dances, one being a formal dance. All the girls were dressed in evening gowns & it really was a grand success.
The past four Sundays I have been going to one of the near by lakes swimming & dancing. We get a large crowd together & have a grand time. Sometimes I feel like a civilian. But that doesn't last very long & I'm back to usual again in a G.I. zoot suit.
I have seen a few pictures the best ones being "Five Graves to Cairo" & "Crash Dive." Both I liked very much. I saw one last night and I almost fell asleep. Sometimes I wonder why they make some of those pictures.
The "Carousel Caravan"came at McChord Field a few weeks ago and put on a excellent show. Comedians, singers, etc. The show was so good I think I enjoyed it better than some shows I saw back in N.Y.
I want to thank you a million for your late birthday card. I[t] certainly was cute. Sometimes I wonder what we would do without cards. Isn't that right? My birthday was June the 3rd.
That little note you sent me was cute although I expected what it was because I received one like it awhile ago. They certainly make your heart beat faster tho, don't they? For awhile it makes you feel pretty important.
I shall close now hoping that the next time I shall be more caught up with my self and I shall write you a more entertaining letter & much longer. Please tell me all about your vacation & here's hoping you had a swell time. So until then, best regards to your family.

Sincerely,
Tony

From Joe (D'Angelo, Tony's friend)

Pvt. Joseph D'Angelo

Co. "A"--110th Eng. Combat Bn.

Amphibian Training Force No. 9

Fort Ord, California

July 5th, 1943

Dear Mrs. Curcio,

I really was...surprised to receiv[e] the little booklet from you. It had me laughing. It really typified army life although it was on the funny side. Thank you very, very much. It seems as if you're getting to know just as much about the army as any of us do.

As much as I dreaded it, it had to happen. I guess you know all about it. I've been shipped out of McChord Field and separated from my best friends. They were the best friends I ever had or ever hope to have. I suppose Tony tells you a bit about them. I especially miss Tony. You know what swell buddies we were. We had so much in common and were able to talk to each other like brothers. I'd give anything I own to be back with him. But, it seems as if all good things must come to an end.

I'll never forget the day I left. We just moped around not saying anything. I guess that went on for a couple of hours. How I hated to leave. It was like leaving home for a second time. I dreaded that moment when I had to say goodbye. But, it came, much too soon. It was really torture having to say goodbye to them. I could feel myself ready to cry, but I couldn't look at any of them in the face for fear of doing so. Still I'm not so sure there weren't tears in my eyes. I would have rather faced a hundred Jap[anese] than go through that. But, I suppose the Army knows best although I think very much different. I'd give anything I own to be up there with Tony again.

I almost forgot to apologize for writing to you so late. We've been very busy lately. We're going on maneuvers so that we had to work from early morning to late at night packing stuff. Since we have most of our work finished they gave me this afternoon off which gave me a chance to catch up on my mail. I hope you forgive me.

Although I've been in this outfit for over two months now and gotten used to is, there's always something missing. You know just as well as I do what (or should I say who it is). Although I have made plenty of friends I haven't been able to find one that I care to pal around with. They just aren't my type. Having friends is one thing but having a budd[y] whom you can trust and share your joy and troubles is a completely different thing. I have my fun but I don't seem to get the kick out of it I used to get. But, I don't think I should complain. There must be other in the army worse off than I am.

Tony and I keep in touch with each other. We keep each other informed as to how we're going along. It's really swell getting letters from him. It seems as if he's talking to me just like old times. I guess he's telling you just how he's getting along. I wish they'd give him a break though. He really deserves it. He should have a couple of stripes. I've seen some get stripes that never even deserve them. Tony is the kind of fellow that has a job, knows it thoroughly, and does it very efficiently. He keeps all to himself and no one even notices him. That's the kind of fellow that should get stripes. But it seems as if the fellow that does the least and talks the most gets them. This really gripes me, but there's nothing that can be done about it. His day will come.

I guess I'll close this letter now. I just can't think of anything else to say. But, I hope that I can get to see you, Mrs. Curcio, on my first furlough. I know I'm really going to enjoy knowing you. In fact, although I haven't met you I feel as if I've known you for a long time.

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. I also hope that this mess will be over real soon so that we can go back to our families and really know what it is to be home. It will be then that Tony and I will get together and really celebrate.

Very Sincerely,

Joe

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. 55

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio

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

McChord Field, Wash.

Date 6/21/43

Letter No. 55

Rec'd 86 & 87

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Here it is Mon. nite and it is raining again, and although it was raining here yesterday too, I was fortunate to have found a spot where it did sunshine. The Air Cadet I was telling you about (Bill Richards by name) and I, put in for 36 hr. passes. That's from 6 o'clock Sat. nite to 6 Mon. morning, but they only gave us 30 hr. passes, which was from 6 Sat. nite to 12 o'clock Sun. nite. Anyway, we got on a bus and took a trip to Seattle, which is about 40 miles from camp. We got there about 8:30 Sat. nite & the first place we hit was the U.S.O. to see where we could sleep. They gave us a ticket for 50 cents. That entitled us to sleep at the Armory in Seattle. It was turned into an Army & Navy dormitory.

From there we went to a dance (naturally) at the Y.W.C.A. From there was sent back to the dormitory to sleep. We got clean sheets & pillowcase & two blankets & a towel. It's really a very nice place. We got up at 10 o'clock, went to breakfast & then started to hunt for a church. By 11:30 we did find one, and a beautiful one at that (St. James Cathedral). It was about the size of St. Barbaras church. We got there late, because the mass started at 11 o'clock. After that we ate dinner.

In the afternoon we went to visit the University of Washington. It is quite alternative and made me wish I was going there. After that we went to a show & saw "Crash Dive." One excellent picture & very exciting. They we ate once more & came back to camp. We got in 11 o'clock last night.

Seattle is quite a nice city, something like N.Y. but not 1/10 as good. Anyway we had a nice time.

I certainly get to see some of the largest cities don't I? N.Y., St. Louis, Seattle. I wonder what it will be next.

At camp I am still surveying on the road job.

I believe by the 1st of the month we will start training again, you know, exercise etc. I think I need it as I am getting a little soft right now.

I am so glad you liked my picture ma. How does Grandma like it? I am sorry you did tell me that Grandma did like it very much. It just slipped my mind for a moment. I only got 3 made, one for you, one for Grandma, & one for Ele. I didn't take any pictures with the film as I found out that cameras are restricted on the post & I am afraid to take it off the post. I am awful sorry. But I may have a chance to take them sometime.

I shall close now. Hope you are all as well as I am, so until I write again, I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

P.S. Those stickers on the envelope are cute. XXXXXXXX

Time Out

Anyone who has been following this blog may have noticed a lull in the letters posted since July. Unfortunately I have taken a leave of absence from posting because I am having a baby soon and cannot keep up with all the posts. I plan to pick this blog back up where I left off, next year!! Check back then!!

Thank you to all that have been reading these posts.

Greetings from Camp Card

Dear Helen,

I've been a bit busy & my mail has come to quite a standstill, but I shall write shortly. I want to apologize so much, but once in awhile I forget I'm in the army. But I hope you will forgive me for the delay.

Tony