I think the newspaper article tells it all. I feel a little bit sorry for my Uncle John, but not too much. Being a vegetarian, I don’t have too much sympathy for him regarding the limit to meat in his diet. Knowing all about the food shortages and rationing that our nation endured during World War II, I am a lot more sympathetic. It was a hard time and every one made sacrifices. To view the article above, click on it.
This article was found on the same page of the newpaper as the meat rationing article. My grandfather is presumably still heading in that direction. It has been about 3 weeks since the Marines landed at Guadalcanal. After about three weeks at sea, my grandfather should be approaching his final destination.
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- September 1, 1942 Envelope
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- September 1, 1942, p. 1
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- September 1, 1942, p. 2-3
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- September 1, 1942, p. 4
Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Sept 1-1942
Dear Daddy,
The first day of Sept. It doesn’t seem so hot and humid today. At least it hasn’t bothered me so far but it is just noon and I don’t know what it will be this afternoon. Yesterday the perspiration just trickled down, while I was taking a nap. The nights have been cool and that helps. I am still home-haven’t gone to Lafayette yet but may go this evening or tomorrow-depending on how I feel.
John was hunting in
(page 2) the morning paper for a news item for school and the headlines were about meat rationing. You can guess his reaction. He wanted to know how much we had or if we could get more.
I talked to the bandmaster and I may be able to trade the old horn in on something for Mark. Since a trumpet is about the hardest horn to blow I am going to try and get him something easy, because I am afraid he wouldn’t last long with the trumpet. He is so thrilled about being in the band I want him to remain so.
(page 3) Mr. Webster looked over the hold horn and said it was still in good condition so maybe someone else can use it and get some good out of it.
I hear Link mowing his lawn. John started on ours this yesterday but it was so hot he didn’t get much done. The last rain we had made it grow and it has been so humid ever since. The boys thought they would be thru mowing in Aug.
Mark is waiting to mail this and is getting impatient to go so must hurry.
(page 4) Not much in the way of news today
Love
Mother
I’m feeling bad for them all…in the August heat with no air conditioning. I don’t think that we ever had air conditioning in that house. The new house on the west side of town had central air. And by the time I was aware of much, meat rationing was a thing of the past.