I want to jump ahead to the future for a little bit. In 1967, Roscoe retired from his medical practice in Kentland. He and Gladys moved to West Lafayette where he continued to practice his trade and teach new doctors. When they left Kentland, Roscoe was given a going away party at George Ade Memorial Hospital. Among my collection of family papers, I have a script of the evening’s events. The festivities were conducted in the style of “This Is Your Life.” Many old friends entertained my grandparents with stories of their life in Kentland. At that point, Roscoe and Gladys had been part of the community for almost 30 years (1939-1967).
Recently my father unearthed an old audio reel which had been buried away in a drawer. It was labeled “Farewell Party, March 12, 1967.” He was able to send the tape to a professional company that specializes in transferring old mediums to digital formats. Today, he received the CDs in the mail. I have been told that the sound quality is wonderful. The only disappointing detail is that my grandparents are not heard on the recording, only their friends telling their stories. I had hoped to hear their voices again. And now I just have to patiently wait for my copy to arrive in the mail.

Letter transcription:

Nov. 7, 1942

Dear Mother,

Received 4 letters today – 3 from you and one from Wayne W. It took Wayne’s letter 13 days to get there and it took eleven days for an answer to come back so all in all that is pretty good time. Our mail is sure coming thru in much better time now but I didn’t get the commission yet. You stated you had sent it but as yet it hasn’t arrived. So far there is no packages but I’ll expect them from now on until Christmas. And you also stated what the bank account amounted too so that was a help. After next pay day I’ll send some more. I’m going to send each of the boys – all three some Christmas money and you also. I’m telling you now so you can expect. It will be the 15^th before pay day so don’t expect for some time yet.

Wayne told me it had been 19° above zero. That sure sounds cold

[page 2] in our tropical weather.

In your letter today you said the boys had received their V-mail letters. I don’t remember when I wrote those but they were a long time getting there. Your letter this time took only 11 days, both were postmarked Oct. 27. That really is going some. That means only 10 days for one is lost coming over the date line. Your letters are coming now just fine and I think all the questions I’ve been harping on and ranting about are gradually being answered.

I should have told you not to send me any clothes or food for Christmas because food will probably spoil and clothes are just an excess. Most of the boys are sending things home – In the clothes line. I believe I have only the bare necessities so will hang on to them for some time yet.

I think the babies schedule is about what it should be so keep it going. In

[page 3] fact I’ve forgotten all about baby feeding. One forgets very fast I’ve found even to names of people at home. So don’t use initials as I might not know who you are writing about. It’s not so bad but one sure does forget those names rapidly.

There is no boxing show tonite so will have to put on our own. In other words it will be – The news – a few beers and then to be [bed] – quite an enjoyable evening don’t you think.

Well, I’ll try to do better tomorrow. I’ll have to put forth more effort on the next

So Solong

Love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/12/november-7-1942-roscoe/‎