Category Archives: Foster

Poor Construction Engineer (Roscoe)

: July 27, 1943 envelope

: July 27, 1943, p. 1

: July 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
July 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

There is plenty of conversation being passed and I’m not sure what might get into this between the lines. It was a three way conversation and now has grown to a four way. I’ve taken two or three beatings already. One being accused of belonging to the Hebrew race – and the other being as poor construction engineer for the rat trap enterprise. Both arguments were quite much in fun because we never kid anyone

[page 2] about being Hebrew to their face and on the other score the boys were just jealous of my success – you know how that is. These arguments take place very often and the recipient is whomever happens to be the unlucky person.

We are having a piece of tin placed over the screen door to aid in keeping out the rats. I’ve placed lots of emphasis on those creatures lately and rightly so because they can be heard in droves all over the place at night and it’s very disturbing.

Well, I’ll try to do a little better next time but that is what I always say so you have learned not to expect too much by now – I hope –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/04/poor-construction-engineer-roscoe/

Third Day in Cast (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 27, 1943 envelope

: July 27, 1943, p. 1

: July 27, 1943, p. 2

: July 27, 1943, p. 3

: July 27, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of July 7-13-14-15-16 and 19 came today. I suppose the 17^th & 18^th will come along in a day or so. Of course the 17^th would be delayed. Jim & Thelma left this morning about 10:30. They are going to T.H. and leave their car & go back by train from there. I think it helped Mother for Jim to be here. I do hope she gets better. When she came up here she notified the Dept. so her pension could be transferred. They came out and wanted a budget so they could make a smaller amt. so I just told them to drop it. I talked it over with Jim & he agreed with me. He & Thelma both said they would help out any time we needed any money. I told them at present it isn’t necessary but should there be future hospital bills I would call on them if necessary. Jim is getting more now that he is a C.P.O. and should I need help from them I won’t hesitate to ask for it.

[page 2] This is David’s third day in his cast. He is doing fine. I took the top off his buggy so he can be taken out in the sunshine for his daily sunning. He is unusually good about it and so far eats as much as ever. I heard the 6 a.m. church bell & he heard it but I dozed off again & he played until almost seven – then I got up & gave him his bottle – glad now I didn’t have him entirely off the bottle – it’s much easier to feed him liquids from his bottle. I think he has gone to sleep now. I thought he would go to sleep much soon but he kept playing in his pen. In spite of the cast he can get around his pen when he wants to. He acted like he was going to pull up on his feet but Dr. Cole said not to let him do that. I had started to break him of sucking his thumb but I won’t try to do it for a while. He has a new tooth – not one of the upper front but the upper left next to the front – The front one next to it is about through – In fact both upper front ones are. I sent a bunch of pictures in yesterday’s letter and hope you get them because I think they are good – however as usual John jarred the camera when he took mine and it’s not so good. Dorothy has a bunch she took with her Kodak and I

[page 3] can’t get the pictures or the negatives so can’t send them. Maybe some day she will get around to getting them for me, but I am not going to ask her any more because I asked her for the negatives and she said she would have Jack Byrnes (the druggist) take them and that’s the last I have heard of them. Dorothy probably is a little peeved at me but I don’t need to do any explaining about her to you. I feel like I have done all I can to keep things straight but I don’t feel I should be reprimanded by her. I told you all about it is yesterday’s letter & hope you have it or get it. I stay home and try to be a good mother to our children (sometimes I wonder how good I do) and I don’t leave them to run around & play cards or do anything else and because of an accident that happens while I am right here, I hardly feel she has any right to tell me I am careless with David. I guess that’s enough of that – I am going to forget it – I have decided as Arlene said the other day you can pay any attention to what people say.

Had a letter from Ruth M. She is in C.C. and Mom suggested she & Dad bring Ruth

[page 4] and Romaine this far and they could go on the bus to Chi – then down to Wilmington. She wanted to know if it would be alright, or if I though company would be too much on Mother – I am going to tell them to come on. When she wrote she hadn’t had time to receive the news about D. I wrote to your mother, Ruth & Ruthie Sunday when I wrote you.

I told you in yesterday’s letter the boys had letters from you but it was from Comdr. Fredericks – two 4^th menu’s and a note written on each noet menu – one for J & one for M. Do you know what he wrote to them? He certainly thinks you are “O.K.” Now beat your chest some more – If you pound it every time I tell you to you may have some knots raise up –

It is hot & humid today. We washed all the white things – Have to keep sheets washed. Tried to buy sheeting in Laf. last Wed. and Loebs didn’t have anything but unbleached. I did buy two ready made ones. Don’t have much washing for D. now but diapers. With the cast on one leg and around his hips I don’t put clothes on him – It seems a shame to have all that cast one for such a tiny break. Jim took some pictures and if he ever sends them I’ll send them on to you.

Love,
Mother

©2014 copyrighted owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/03/third-day-in-cast-gladys/

Rats (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 26, 1943 envelope

: July 26, 1943, p. 1

: July 26, 1943, p. 2

: July 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

July 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished the morning chores and will see how good my letter writing ability will be. To begin with we haven’t had any late mail for some time and I don’t like it, but I guess there isn’t much to be done about the whole thing only wait.

Yesterday while sitting writing a letter a nice juicy rat ran over a brace in the tent and settled comfortably above my head in a misquito netting that had been folded. There was a cleaning rod for a rifle nearby and with a mighty heave with it the rat was stunned enough to so that I was able to get in the finishing strokes. It must have made the

[page 2] entire family very mad because they came in force to heckle us last night. They don’t bother me much but one of our roommates hammers & bangs on the side of the tent and deck keeping himself and everyone awake and really I think the rats are enjoying it for they seem to come back in greater numbers each succeeding night. They probably never heard or seen anything like that in a south Sea Isle before.

Yesterday after writing you I wrote – both Ruths, the folks and uncle Wess. It was a big day and a lot of bunk was thrown out. I still have some I should write today – like the Walkups, Brewers, etc. but I don’t feel in the mood even for a poor letter. I misrepresented things to them, told them it was hard to write to anyone else but you because I could always fill in between in your letters with love making stuff but you know I’m not good at that but I do hope you can read between the lines and sometimes see where I tried to

[page 3] express what I feel – anyway I hope as you said the other day a lot is intimated in
“Lots of Love From Daddy”

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/02/rats-roscoe/

Hospital Trip (Gladys)

2 Replies

: July 26, 1943 envelope

: July 26, 1943, p. 1

: July 26, 1943, p. 2

: July 26, 1943, p. 3

: July 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 26 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Home with David from the hospital – He is doing fine. I asked Dr. Cole about the break this morning & then went up to X Ray & looked at the pictures. Dr. Cole said it wasn’t a bad break – I’ll draw a picture at the end to show how small a thing it was. However small it still has to be in a cast. I wrote you all the minute details yesterday and hope you get the letter. I supposed the first thing people would say that we were careless and you might know the first one to say anything was D.K. She called shortly after we came home today to inquire about David and right off started to tell me what she would do to me if she ever caught me letting children handle the baby again. I was tired from two restless nights and two days in the hospital standing over David trying to keep him quiet and in no mood to take any scolding from anyone and especially from her, so I told her right off it was an accident and we weren’t careless with D. and everyone sorry it

[page 2] had happened – the main thing now is to get the break mended which it will no doubt do in due time. Dr. Cole said to bring D. down in another week for him to see. I am enclosing a picture of Virginia with David. She feels so badly about it. She baked a cake & brought it over this afternoon. She is a nice little girl. She has two younger sister – one three years old. She is so used to handling children was the reason I would let her hold David – She is the same age as Mark and he is used to taking care of David. I wouldn’t allow Betty, who is seven, to handle David any. As I said yesterday none of the children handled him much because he played in his bed and pen a lot. The children would often push him in the buggy, but as much as they wanted to hold him I always reminded them we didn’t want him spoiled – (too much).

Yours of July 5-6-8-9-10 came today so that was a lift – I got a kick from yours telling me to spank D. He had has been getting some correcting – I don’t want him to be “rotten” when you come home – or any time. I’ll admit I was a little low and I needed a few letters from Navy 60. The boys got letters too but haven’t had time to read them

[page 3] You mentioned money in one of your letters rec’d today – I was trying to figure out how much you get a month now but haven’t quite figured it yet. Our bank acc’t is low now but the Ins. loan is paid and all bills. I am still trying to figure a way to get the piano I mentioned. I suppose I shouldn’t think about it but they are so hard to find and this one is in first class condition. I’ll let you know what I do. As I said I probably won’t get your reply until after I have decided what to do.

Mrs. Washburn came up this afternoon to see David – That family has the breaks too. She can’t get over how much fuss John & Mark make over David. John said they were so much in love with D. because he looks like you. Adding that David is the best looking baby & you the handsomest man – Beat your chest.

Jim & Thelma came about 9 P.M. yesterday. They came to the hospital to get me today. They have to be back Thurs. eve, so will have to leave here tomorrow. Jim’s new uniforms are very good looking. He first got his when the new color came out but he says he can use it another year yet. I’ll do my drawing on the back.

Love –
Mother

Virginia Zell holding David, July 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/01/hospital-trip-gladys/

Good Intentions (Roscoe)

1 Reply

[Note: Gladys’ letter from July 25th is, unfortunately, missing.]

: July 25, 1943 envelope

: July 25, 1943, p. 1

: July 25, 1943, p. 2

: July 25, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
July 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

The plan that was supposed to work so that I would see Joe R. didn’t materialize so I thought I’d better retract the statement I wrote yesterday.

I have very good intentions today of writing several people – Letters that I feel I should return, Both the Ruths, Uncle W., The Walkups – since they sent the pictures and a few others I can’t think of just now and of course the regular letter to the folks. It’s going to be a hard task but one I feel like a duty – It’s strange I don’t have slightest feeling of burden

[page 2] while writing to you but that is as I explained it a few days ago. “That’s different.”

There is a slight breeze today which makes for a little cooler weather and for more coconuts dropping – before breakfast this A.M. two came bounding down all in a bunch to hit the tent and make plenty of noise. I’m a little worried less one came thru but even if it did the sting would be taken out because it would slow things down.

I think I have repeated often enough about the check I sent home but will just once more. It was sent on July 17, and if it goes like some it should be there just about now. I’ll wait now until I get several letters from you before repeating again.

[page 3] Some time ago I wrote you and said this world we live in here could be like that song of Ruben Ruben etc. how much that really means now. Imagine a town county or any area in the USA where for more than 5 mo. a woman didn’t appear. It’s different but I can’t seem to explain how. Probably just like the life in the States is different but is hard for you to explain how and why.

Well by the time you get this letter you will be starting on your last hot month of summer and can expect cooler days to come but ours will be just as hot and stuffy and prospects of getting more so. This is one heck of a letter –
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/31/good-intentions-roscoe/

Building Guards (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 24, 1943 envelope

: July 24, 1943, p. 1

: July 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
July 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but one can hardly expect letters every day. Some mail came in but most of it was old. The mail clerk said some was as old as 1941 and I’m sure I didn’t have any that old.

I may see Joe R. in the next day or two – but I’ll let you know about that in the next letter or so. Plans are to that affect as present.

Yesterday P.M. I spent most of the time building guards up trees etc.

[page 2] to keep the rats from having free excess to any entrance they might find into the tent. I think it was fairly successful because they didn’t make the well known race track thru the tent as they had before – If I can find those few stray holes I think that menace will be cleared.

You will note this letter is sketchy and not much thought but I’m in a hurry and will promise to do better next time

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/30/building-guards-roscoe/

Drinking Cream (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 24, 1943 envelope

: July 24, 1943, p. 1

: July 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day without any mail – but probably will get a load Mon. Haven’t had any now for several days – the last was of July 11. It is warm again today and a little cloudy so we may get rain. Have clothes hanging out on the line. It is past noon and we haven’t had lunch yet but I was a little tired and thought I would rest a bit then would feel more like eating. Fed David at 11: and sent Mother’s tray up a few minutes ago. Someone she knew in T.H. had stomach trouble and a Dr. there had this person drink cream. She wanted to try that so I got cream this morning. I haven’t much confidence in it but will give it a try. Jim & Thelma are to be here tomorrow so maybe she will pick up a little.

[page 2] I sent John down to the basement with the kitchen waste basket & he has come up so I imagine he is getting hungry. He usually has a good appetite.

I went to town this morning and bought meat for our company. I was in Ford’s yesterday – They had dressed chickens – I asked the price – 57¢ a lb. – I got steak – it’s a little cheaper – 50¢ lb. If I had wanted chicken enough would have gotten one on foot & dressed it myself. I got bananas 16¢ a lb. – apricots 37¢ lb. – That gives you a fair idea about the cost of groc. I won’t buy any more apricots. One thing now we don’t have to buy potatoes & green vegetables.

David is fussing a little but it’s time for him to take a nap. He stood along about a second yesterday – He is a little afraid yet, but more daring than J. & M. were.

The clock just struck 12:30 so must get out to the kitchen & get something ready to eat.

Lloyd Tilton is home on furlough. I am going to try & collect what he owes us, thru Geo.

Love Mother

Sucks His Thumb (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

: July 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
July 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of June 30, July 2 and July 3 came yesterday – also one from the Folks and one from The Walkups with pictures of the girls. Yours gave a definite pictures of finances and off hand I’d say they weren’t so good but well enough to get along on, and the extra I sent will keep us out of the red. Of course while they are low that doesn’t show the loan and interest you paid off so in relative way they aren’t low but I’d say doing rather well.

Now another you wrote – you said most everyone when seeing D.

[page 2] for the first time remarked how much he looked like his Daddy and in the same sentence without punctuation marks etc. you said he sucked his thumb. I really wasn’t aware of the fact that I had that habit, or did you mean to infer that. Maybe you just meant his looks and not his habits. Another thing you wrote or rather not what you wrote but how – when you said I hope to convey everything with “Love Mother” with the quotations marks etc. I really liked that because I think I got the full meaning of what you meant. Thanks Lots.

It’s refreshing to get letters as I said in yesterday’s letter and I know you are doing the very best to get them to me, but there are many obstacles between here and there which are a little hard to overcome

[page 3] but somehow we get the letters thru in pretty good time and here is hoping those letters continue until a better medium of contact is mage – Namely personal –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Weiner Roast (Gladys)

5 Replies

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but will probably get one or more tomorrow. The latest I have is of July 11. It came the 20^th. I told you before I got Jim a leave thru the Red Cross. He called said he would be home Sunday. He & Thelma are going to T. H. then drive up in their car. I really feel it is necessary for him to come home. Mother doesn’t seem to improve much. As I said before, if your Mother were in the condition Mother is in I would go thru the Red Cross to get you a leave. Margaret asked me to go give Bud his 2:30 shot. Then I went to a meeting at Mrs. Ade’s home – I was put in as Vice-President of Cosmopolitan and we had to make out the years program. I just came home. John was to feed D. at 3 but when I came home he said D. wouldn’t eat. I had left pudding and asparagus for his dinner. He will probably he hungry at 7 – his bed time

[page 2] We had the weiner roast last nite and Zells all came over. Mrs. Z. brought ice cream, cookies & baked beans. I furnished wieners, buns, pickles, mustard, cheese and ice tea. They said next time they would furnish the meat. I had Bobby & Jimmy come too. After eating the children played croquet & worked down the food so no one was sick during the night. Bob & Clarice came out while we were still sitting around the furnace talking. Bob had taken care of the call to Jim for me. I gave David his bottle out there then when he began to act sleepy took him upstairs to bed. Bob & Clarice think he is “O.K.” 10 months old today. He hasn’t gained much the last month but I think that is due to his activeness.

The children are out playing croquet now & noisy too so think I’ll have to go out & quiet them.

I have to get to town & buy some meat for our coming company.
Love Mother

David with one of the Zell girls, July 1943

New Stationary (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 22, 1943 envelope

: July 22, 1943, p. 1

: July 22, 1943, p. 2

: July 22, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 22, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 – F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

You will note the new Stationary – Geo. was able to pick it up someplace – came I with two boxes and I just kidding told him it was nice of him to bring me a box – so he just up and gave it to me.

I wrote yesterday of the difficulty of writing to other people because they expect news of natives, war etc. which of course is after the first time or two exhausted. I know you don’t expect such and it would be an impossibility to write news each day. So I have to turn more to the thoughts that pass thru one’s mind while there is nothing else to do. I imagine it’s something like a person being in jail and having time for reflections. Of course the shame and disgrace of our lot is absent which is unlike the fellow in jail so

[page 2] maybe our thoughts are much more pure. Milton wrote “Paradise Lost” while in Jail but I don’t think I could do any such but and I’ll be satisfied if I can only write a letters which will not make you feel badly and but on the contrary make things a little more pleasant and help make the time pass more rapidly – the most rapidly passing part of the day and the most enjoyable part of the day is letter writing time. I shouldn’t say the most enjoyable because – letter received hold that place but that happens so infrequently that it would be a long way between uplifts. Don’t miss-understand – my letters don’t uplift me but it’s a time when I’m doing something which concerns you directly and I enjoy writing them if they only get over to you what I anticipate. If the things I’m writing bore or have the opposite affect

[page 3] of what I’m trying please tell me and I’ll try to reform.

I read lots of letters from the boys to their wives and sweethearts and I’m sure lots of them are very disheartening to those who receive the.

The first break in the letter – a red headed Irishman came in to complete the electrical fixture – we now have lights in our tent but the use of them is somewhat restricted. Anyway this red head is like all electricians full of conversation and in no apparent hurry to get too much done. He has spent about 15 years in the navy part of which was in the last war and those people take their tour of duty as a matter of fact because it’s a part of their life’s work.

I hope I have made this letter interesting and if I failed I’ll still try to redeem myself by saying
Lot of Love
Daddy