Letter transcription:

Sept. 14, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Somehow we missed mail yesterday; the first time in several days but the service has been so good lately that we have no right to complain – only hope that is won’t be too many days before more comes in.

The show last night was “Stage Door Canteen.” There was a host of stars in it and it was a fair show. The thing that struck me funny at the show and always does is the reactions of the audience. A good musical number is received with very little attention. Not long ago an actress sang a semi-opera (I guess that is what it’s called) and the boys made so much noise in a discussed [disgusted] fashion the song couldn’t be heard, and then let some blond just walk on to the stage and the cheering really is stupendous. I guess it’s [a] distorted sense of what’s right and wrong. If the audience at home carried on at trivial things like they do out here anyone could write a play with success, but I guess it’s youth away from civilization and that is bound to be a little

[page 2] distorting.

I suppose the weather back there is really getting pleasant and frost can be expected at any time – the leaves turning brown – smokey Indian Summer days – flies crowing around the screen doors at night – The air filled with bugs at night and numerous other things characteristic of Indiana at this time of year.  Can dream I guess. Missing those things 2 years in succession makes one remember wonder if he really can remember that far back. If I’m incorrect about the above correct me please. Maybe living in a land of eternal green makes one forget and maybe one living there without getting into the tropics don’t appreciate those things. I don’t believe I did, at least not to the fullest extent. Of course maybe I’m a little prejudice in my view point just now, and possibly to ye use that old Edwards saying – “What all that meat & no vegetable?”

I’ve written enough nonsense so to be more sensible I’ll say solong until tomorrow and

Love from Daddy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiQnDyAO9rg

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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