While reading today’s letter, I had an ah-ha moment. I know what was on that roll of film. Lentz probably had pictures of his girlfriend that he didn’t want his wife to see. There was an earlier letter in which my grandfather mentioned Lentz going to visit his girlfriend. I didn’t take it at face value. I thought my grandfather was joking around. Lentz must have really had a girlfriend and he didn’t want his wife to know. I tried looking back through the letters to see if I could find the one which mentions the girlfriend. I couldn’t find it but I did notice that some of the letters in general made more sense. Some of the references to Lentz and his mysterious phone calls and not knowing where he was (and not caring) have a lot more meaning in this context.
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- August 6, 1942 Envelope
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- August 6, 1942, p.1
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- August 6, 1942, p. 2
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- August 6, 1942, p. 3
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- August 6, 1942, p. 4
Letter transcription:
Thurs A.M.
Dear Mother,
As usual, loafing and about frozen have on my jacket but still plenty cold. That’s the way it is here every A.M. Warms up later in the day.
At last it seems I found a fellow who doesn’t chase. He seems to be true to his wife. We went into San Jose yesterday to do a little shopping then took on a good meal and then to a show. He is from Kentucky. We had a good steak cost up $1.50 but I guess it was worth it only as I said yesterday it was a little foolish due to funds being low but after we get on board there should be little use for money except for mess. We saw the thou[?] “Men of Texas” and John Brown + Judy in
(page 2)”Joan of the Ozarks”. It was pretty good. Something to pass away the time. Its about 12 miles to San Jose but we hitched rides both ways-people here are very considerate to service men. There aren’t near as many as around Norfolk, and there are many towns nearby. Palo Alto is up the line near San Francisco about 15 mile from here.
This place is about 35 miles east I think of San Francisco out on a peninsula. There are a number of town between here and San, Palo Alto, Red wood etc. There are lots of pear + prune trees along the roads. The pears are being picked and packed now.
It doesn’t rain here all summer
(page 3)and most of the farming is done by irrigation. As we were going to San Juan I saw several field and orchards that had been flooded.
I haven’t received a letter for two days now hope to receive one today. Many of the boys are in the same shape I and am due to the Navy SSA address which will be used later.
I don’t think I have any more shopping to do now except on Sat. I think I’ll go into San Francisco for a few things and most important of all is a hair cut. Don’t believe the boo barbers here are any good. That I think will wind up my affairs.
Its pretty early now and I’ll try to write again after the mail comes in. Maybe I will get
(page 4) mail today if I got the letter to you in time about the address.
I found these receipts in my purse. I’m sending them to you to keep.
Received a letter this AM the first in 3 days. It was addressed to S.S.A. So guess it doesn’t make any difference how it is addressed. This letter was addressed Aug. 3
Well probably leave in the next day or two. Keep that quiet.
Love Daddy
It’s sad that finding a guy who doesn’t cheat on his wife was such important news to start off this letter. I guess guys haven’t changed much over the years.
My husband and I have been discussing this topic. Think of the shows MASH and Mad Men and how all those men were so “loose”. I know they were fictional shows but I think there is a grain of truth to them. Marriages were very different in those days as women had fewer rights.
I wonder what the receipts were for. These letters do throw more light on my father, i.e., continuing to read mystery novels…and going to movies.
I was thinking that they were receipts for cash received? I don’t know how he got reimbursements for travel, uniforms, etc. Whether he was issued a check, cash, or some other note that he could go cash.