Category Archives: World War II Letters

Haven’t Any Ambition (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 18, 1944 envelope

April 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-18-44

Dear Daddy –

Just finished breakfast and thought I would write you before the mail man comes around so he can take this up when he comes. Mark has gone to school so can’t send it by him. It is cloudy today & forecast for rain. David isn’t going to like this I am sure. He was out so much yesterday. I had him out in the yard in the morning then in the PM. Lucile came out with Jimmy and we walked to town. I banked $235.00. Our bal. according to the bank was $75.00 but surely some check wasn’t in yet because I am sure there was a ck or two I hadn’t put down. Well, I’ll find out when the statement comes.

I saw Al Cast and he told me Socky had seen you and forgotten himself for a minute and greeted you rather loudly. According to Al, Socky was afraid he would be seen by someone who would not approve of his behavior – anyway he was scared for a minute or two. I saw Tibby Tilton and he was inquiring as to your address.

April 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] He has to be back Sat. morning and wanted to look you up, so you may have a caller some time Sat. I told him you were coming home after duty Sat. I saw several boys (sailors) on the street yesterday. I think Emory Richards was home and Jr. Morton.

– – Your letters of yesterday & Fri. just came. The one was posted the 15^th and posted again the 17^th at Hobart so must have been mixed up with some other mail. You explained your meeting with Socky in your Fri. letter.

In one of your letters you mentioned something about Joe – I had been thinking about when he would go up and if he is in a hurry to report in, it will cut your visit home short, since you won’t get here until late Sat. nite. Do you want me to contact them and make arrangements for you to go back with Joe? Of course if you can’t come home, I’ll be anxious for Joe to go early, but I am hoping you get to come home if only for a short while.

April 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I think I have a bladder irritation but won’t take any medicine but the water treatment. I will drink lots of water today and I’ll see what that will do. Other than that I feel pretty good. Washed what clothes were dirty yesterday and ironed last night while J. & M. did arith. I was very tired when I got thru but went to bed and slept good all night so feel pretty good now. David is feeling fine this morning. He had 2 B.M.’s before I got him downstairs. He ate a lot of applesauce yesterday. I am going to give him cottage cheese today and try to stop him up a little.

The sun is breaking thru a little so David may get his play out in the yard. His new lower molar is thru enough to show up when he smiles.

I saw Marg Carlson yesterday and I hadn’t sent in the form for her scrapbook. I asked her what kind of a picture she wanted so think I’ll give her the picture we kept on the table, take in Noumea.

April 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] That is a good face picture and that is what she wants. I should give her one like you carry in your billfold – (or should I?).

I must get to work – not that I have any particular ambition today – it’s too early in the day for my pep to rise – I missed the mail man so will send this by Mark at noon.

Dorothy is taking Marie S. to Billings this week for a treatment. I was in the restaurant a while yesterday and she was talking about going up. Lucile said she would possibly have their car a day or two this week and if she does we plan to go to Laf. about Fri. and do a little shopping. I tried to get a new collar for the black dress. (I finally got the flowers off) at the dress shop but they didn’t have anything, so I have an excuse to go to Laf.

As I said before I must get busy, tho I haven’t any ambition yet.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/21/havent-any-ambition-gladys/

Coming Home (Roscoe)

2 Replies

April 18, 1944 envelope

April 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/18/44

Dear Mother,

No mail today – maybe it takes it longer to get here if you address it to the station but on second thought I guess it’s because it was Sunday when you would have written a letter which should come today so that probably solves the mystery of the missing letter. I mailed one on Sunday but I’m not sure that it leaves the base on Sun.

I had a talk with a fellow who has the rental of houses and he seems to think we will be able to get a house. He took my name & address, etc. I’ll keep looking otherwise myself however.

So far so good on my coming home this weekend. My plea is in to the commanding officer and I believe it will go thru from the way the assistant executive officer talked. If one lives more than 75 miles he has to put in for leave so that in case an accident

April 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] or some such he will be legally covered. Then when the leave is over the paper is destroyed so that the leave isn’t counted against you in Washington. Just an old Navy custom.

We had a medical meeting at the base so I just stayed and ate there and it is now after 10 PM. It was a lecture by some Chicago Dr. on infections of the hand. It is one of those you must attend things so I went.

Yesterday I got a letter telling me I hadn’t done my correspondence work in the past two years and a little not was added to the bottom saying this is the second warning. I’ll have to drop in and give them the glad hand or something.

Well, it’s bed time so I must stop and see what I can do about some shut eye
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/20/coming-home-roscoe/

Nothing New (Lentz)

1 Reply

V-mail, dated March 15, 1944

Letter transcription:

From:
E.T. Lentz
Comdr. (mc) USNR
Navy 133 BH4
FPO San Francisco Calif.
Mar. 15, 44

To:
Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) U.S.N.R.
Kentland
Indiana

Hello Junior – Nothing new in medical staff, still intact except three promotions – Andy, Cath & myself as you can see by return address.

Well – by today you should have arrived and I imagine it was a momentous day when you set foot on U.S. continent. We were all thinking about you and several of us have gone so far as to say we miss “Yegie.” Maybe, I’ll be seeing you soon.

Your laundry was sent as promised and you should get it by ’45.

My extracurricular activities have not been deterred, am playing golf as much as ever but not better. Received 18 golf balls (12 were reprocessed – just like new).

Write when you can –
Regards,
Ed

John W. made it
Porterfield also
See Alnav

[Editor’s note: ALNAV was a bulk communication and messaging system used by the Navy, a form of which is still in use today.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/19/nothing-new-lentz/

Movements (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 17, 1944 envelope

April 17, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/17/44

Dear Mother,

Your letter arrived today. The one you wrote after receiving my first. I’ve been away from home now 4 days and received fou two letters – much different than in days gone by.

You mentioned the radio – It would be very nice but I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the one you use in the kitchen, however, if you think you could get along without it I’d appreciate it very much but we will see about that later. Maybe Joe has one he will bring along.

Our movements are somewhat curtailed around the base. Once we enter that gate where we entered we can’t leave without the executive officer’s permission and you remember the bridge going over to the Officer’s Club? We can’t cross that without the executive officers knowing it, etc. We can’t smoke

April 17, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] on the streets of the base so you see we are a bunch of good little boys at times. After 4:30, however, all those restrictions are off. We eat in the basement of that brick building where Joe & I went in for information so there is no real need for crossing the bridge or leaving the gate during working hours.

I loaned one of my white cap covers to a Dr. yesterday. He had sent all of his to the laundry and got bawled out for wearing his blue cover. He was one of the fellows that was with me at Silverstream, a Jewish boy.

The Frenches have a large library and I have borrowed a book “Our Hearts Were Young & Gay” to read. I think I read the condensed version in Reader’s Digest but for want of something to do I think I’ll read the thing. It may seem

April 17, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] a little dull after reading that in the Digest but I’ll see.

The sun was out most of the time today but it sure was cold when the breeze of the lake could hit full blast. We should get that breeze most of the time next summer when it’s good and hot.

John’s report card sounded pretty good and Mark’s wasn’t so bad as I remember so I guess the boys should both get promoted this year.

Well, I’m all run down so good night &
Love Daddy

Great Lakes Naval Base Building 1 (photograph by Goldnpuppy, Wikipedia Creative Commons license)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/17/movements-roscoe/

Busy (Gladys)

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April 15 & 16, 1944 envelope

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy,

I wrote one letter this a.m. Have been keeping busy all day and thought I was feeling pretty good but during supper John said, “We got used to Daddy being gone before, but this is awful.” I asked him if he was lonesome and he said, “very.” Mark said something about going down to Grandma’s to spend the summer. John said, “Who wants to go down there? I want to be with Daddy.” I thought John acted rather casual Thurs. morning when you told him good-bye, but I suppose that is his way. He doesn’t say much at the time or demonstrate but it comes out sooner or later. He is playing records now. We listened to the radio for an hour then the programs didn’t suit us so he decided to play some Beethoven. Mark is busy with his drawing.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] He keeps talking about taking lessons this summer. I hope it can be arranged.

David was getting restless around 5 o’clock and I thought maybe a haircut would divert his attention. It rained most of the afternoon and he didn’t get his play out in the yard and he missed that quite noticeably. To go on with the haircut, he objected to the clippers right off, so I used the scissors & comb. Finally we coaxed him into letting me use the clippers but he wouldn’t hold still – results a little cracky, but looks better than it did. I gave him his supper about 6 o’clock then put him down and fixed ours. I had put a plate of hamburger on the table and looked around in time to see him grab some hamburger and cram it into his mouth. To keep him in good humor while we ate, I gave him one pea at a time. He would run into the dining room to eat the pea then come back for another. I taped his thumbs good enough last night he didn’t get the guards off once. I cut them off to give him his bath tonight. I may not have done as good a job on the new ones but haven’t heard him chewing on his thumbs yet.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Sunday afternoon

To continue the letter I started last nit. We have had dinner & washed dishes. Mark is at a loss for something to do. Says he is lonesome. Seems to be contagious around here. I am at one end of the dining room table and he is at the other. He is drawing something. He wanted me to take a walk but it is either raining or will be, so that let’s that out. It is very chilly. Took David to church. He behaved very nicely. It was Communion Day and Rev. Servies asked the Juniors first so John took David out after that and kept him in the vestibule. Lucile was at church and asked us to bring David over to see Jimmy. Ed was still in his robe and pjs. Said Jimmy saw David going to church and got very excited. They haven’t taken Jimmy to church yet. I don’t mind taking David when he behaves as

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] well as he did today. He doesn’t want to go to sleep now. After he finished his dinner I put him to bed and he is still fussing around and it’s past 1:30.

My hands are almost back to normal. There is still some peeling but no new places starting. They feel very tender and sensitive to water, but I think in a week I will be able to resume routine work, like washing dishes, etc., without any ill effects.

The Zells went to Oxford today and Mark went over to feed the chickens about 1 PM. Mr. Z. said if the sun came out to open the west door. I told him he was very optimistic. He was, because it is raining and looks like it will for quite a while.

John is listening to his regular Sun PM programs. He has a new piece of music that cost $1.50 however he hasn’t paid for it yet. I haven’t any money. I thought I would wait until your ck. comes and when I deposit it get some cash. I paid the telephone bill yesterday. It was $4.72 but the San F. tolls were not on it. The calls I made to Wilmington & C.C. were on it. I wonder why the two you made weren’t included.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] I was glancing over the ck. book and the bal. is $70.17 but I think there were some cks. cashed by you & me that aren’t recorded, so we probably have less than $70.00. I will call the bank in the morning and check on our balance.

Verna Burns just called from Watseka and wanted to know if you could appear on a luncheon program for a sorority meeting as a speaker. I told her in the first place you weren’t permitted to do any public speaking and the second place you were on duty and wouldn’t be available at that time (May 5 – 1 PM). Correct me if I am wrong. I told her Dr. R. was home and she said she knew it. I wonder why she did [not] try to contact him. Maybe she doesn’t know him personally.

David finally gave up and went to sleep. He got his thumb guards

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 6

[page 6] off once but I put a new one on. I haven’t made the kind you suggested yet, but will try to get that done tomorrow. I have done a few other things since you left tho. After baths last night I dried the wall around the tub. So far no signs of water seepage around the putty. I am “right proud” of your work. It certainly makes the bathroom look much better. I want to get the lower half of the “Powder Room” painted or maybe I should save that job for you.

I haven’t been away from home since you left so haven’t been out news gathering – if there is any. Somehow I don’t relish the idea of having people ask questions about this & that. I hope you get next Sun. off so you can come home. If not I am coming up. I wish we could arrange something for the week-end if you can’t come home, if not I’ll come with Joe. This month is having a long beginning. I hope it doesn’t seem as long as the first few days have. I had a notion to call you last night but didn’t. We all miss you

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/16/busy-gladys/

My Duties (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 16, 1944 envelope

April 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes
Illinois
Apr. 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Sunday almost gone and it was a long day for somehow things just seemed dull and my intern had O.D. duty so he wasn’t around after 1000 so I had to amuse myself.

Maybe I haven’t told you what my duties are – well it’s like this – I have two wards, one composed of about 30-40 German measles and 10 chicken pox cases and the other about that many mumps. Seems a little drab on the face of the whole thing but there are always ears becoming infected – pneumonia with the measles and many complications just like in private practice so it’s really more like medicine than anything I’ve had since coming into the Navy. I hope I’ve had both of the above diseases because I’ve had many exposures. There are also a few cases of regular measles so I should know what those look like after a

April 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] time.

In your today’s letter I had three money orders. I guess I can’t get away from repeating but I thought I’d just let you know in case the letter should get lost.

This Eve. The Frenches invited us to sandwiches, salad, etc., so I didn’t have to go out for an evening meal. They seem to be very nice people and are willing to make one as comfortable as possible. They have three huge cats and one has two kittens but I don’t cross their path too often. I mean the cats.

The sun finally broke thru today after a light rain this AM and a snow about noon but it still wasn’t very warm. In fact much too cold to think of wearing khaki uniforms, and the top coat really feels good. The breeze off the lake is very cold. I don’t know if you noticed but where we parked the car that day we were here

April 16, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] is only a very short distance from the lake. When one is on the other side of that building he can almost spit in the lake.

As I told you we have no shower so it’s tub bath and I do hate to draw the water, etc., but I feel I just have to tonight for I’ve missed the past two and since there is only the one other fellow I feel I don’t have to be as peculiar as you said you would be.

Maybe I’ll be able to spend next weekend at home but I’m not banking too much until I ask all the ones concerned. At least maybe a short time Sat. night and Sun. AM depending upon what time Joe wants to come back.

Well, I must take that bath and get to bed –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/15/my-duties-roscoe/ ‎

Four Pages With What Have You (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 15, 1944 envelope

April 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Your letter written the 13^th and post marked 4 PM Apr. 14 came this a.m. I sent out a letter yesterday and hope you get it by today. When your letter came the boys gathered around to listen and got quite a “kick” out of the 23 little men. John decided we needed a cake, “now that Daddy is gone,” and is mixing one now. Mark is putting bon ami on all the windows. It is raining and he can’t play out so I thought this would be a god job for him. He (Mark) slept with me last night. This a.m. David was awake and very insistent about some attention. Mark brought him to me and he was wet and had had a B.M. which was very soft and extensive. I suppose he had too many green beans yesterday. Mark got up and went to the store and got a few things we needed – and a qt. of cottage cheese. I gave David some and will give him some each meal today. That has always acted as a “builder upper” for him. When I

April 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] started to dress him after breakfast he reached into the drawer and got out the pink knitted suit I made for him last year so he looks a little like a sissy in his pink and needing a hair cut.

The weather cleared up about noon yesterday and we had sunshine long enough to get two washes out to dry. It is raining this a.m. so no washing today. I ironed and ironed yesterday and finally got it all done. I even got what was washed yesterday ironed. I was so tired last night I was afraid maybe I had worked off some of my excess fat but this a.m. I still balanced the scales a shade under 100. I won’t work so hard today now that I am caught up on the washing & ironing. I promised Mark we would make a batch of cookies after John gets thru with the cake.

Mark said Geo. Dinwiddie called his drawing “corny” so our Mark comes back with, “well we are going to live with Daddy this summer and I am going to Chicago and take drawing lessons.” The little Sammons boy and one or two others took up the discussion and said it wasn’t essential and Mark couldn’t drive to Chicago to take lessons. From there on I don’t know what was said, except that in all probability our Mark had

April 15, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the last work. I had a good notion to tell Mark to tell Jimmy S. that it wasn’t essential for his parents to take a trip to Ga. or wherever it was they went this winter. However I didn’t make any comment. Yesterday after school Mr. Zell asked John & Mark to help him roll his yard. Mr. Z. was a little on the touchy side and Virginia said to Mark, “I’ll bet your Daddy isn’t grouchy.” I asked Mark what he answered – he said, “I just kept my big mouth shut.”

Haven’t heard from Jim yet. All that came Thurs. & Fri. was the Kent papers. Your letter & a letter from Wayne Pharm. Supply Co. was all that came this a.m.

I was thinking about a radio last night and wondered why you didn’t take the kitchen radio with you. We could get along with the one in the living room. If you want it and I come up with Dr. Joe I’ll bring it up. However I hope you get to come home by that time. If not I think I’ll come up as planned.

April 15, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] My hands are peeling off but I can’t close my left hand yet. There are still some water pockets on my left hand but the old places are about gone. I believe the worse is over. I keep my left hand out of the water and am still very careful not to get my right hand in water more than I have to. I keep scaling off all the time. Now believe me I will not touch tomatoes in any form again (soon).

I haven’t been away from home since you left, but have been busy doing things. I would take David for a walk today but it is too wet and I have been taking him out in the yard the past two days and he doesn’t want to come in when I do. Arlene was looking for Bobby Thurs. afternoon and I told her I would keep Donnie out with David but she declined. She looked so tired and said she was having Carl & Rosemary come for dinner. They (C. & M.) are having their house painted (inside). I am afraid Arlene isn’t getting enough rest so soon after she had that repair work done. She has a girl from John’s class come after school and help I think. Louise is past helping her now.

John got into a little difficulty with his cake – he forgot to add the milk and it was so thick he couldn’t pour it into the pans.

For no news I have pretty well filled four pages with what have you. Maybe one of your 23 helped me.
Love – Mother

P.S. John got his report card Thurs PM A+ on hist., arith. & Eng. – A on all the rest except shop B+

Twenty Some Letters (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 15, 1944 envelope

April 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes, Ill.
Apr. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

Today’s mail was like the days of the past 20 some letters – most of which were from you – yours dating from Feb. 5 to Feb. 26. One from Wayne W., one from Mark, one from the Brewers, a Christmas greeting from Geo. Wingfield and Dave’s Christmas package. It was in a mess. There was three suits of knit underware, a pipe, a book of thoughts, some candy tobacco, pipe cleaners, stationary, etc. Most of the things were spoiled. The book was OK, the pipe OK, the underware damp & moldy, the candy – you can use your imagination.

I got paid today – $355.00. I’m sending you $250. That did not include the travel money but I understand it takes several days for that to be calculated so will send it later. Our

Our uniform may not be khaki so as soon as it warms up a bit I’ll stop wearing the blue and for the time

April 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] will save the price of another blue.

It has been cold and rainy here all day long. This place is large and one has to do lots of walking in the rain.

I think I can arrange to come home next Sat. At least I’m working on that angle. I’m covering for another Dr. tomorrow and he is to take over for me next Sun., if some big Gold don’t enter into the picture. I’ll write more of that later. That of course would be Sat. eve after 4:30 unless I left a little early.

I read all your letters but you had told me everything. I was glad to get the pictures of the snow. The picture of the boys in the back yard were very good I thought. Your letter written Thurs. & Fri. came also today. It was so recent compared to the others.

It’s now 10:00 PM and time for bed. It took me three hours to read all the mail/
So goodnight and Love
Daddy

The Above Address (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 14, 1944 envelope (front)

: April 14, 1944 envelope (back)

April 14, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes
Illinois

Dear Mother,

The above address is the correct one as I now have a mail box assigned and I’ll be able to get my mail there probably faster and more consistent than otherwise.

I think I’m about all settled now except the gas ration and that seems to be something. In the first place I need the tire certificate of registration and then that has to be sent into Chicago and Washington and then the card will be issued. By that time you will have the car back again. There is a possibility that I can get along without the tire business but I the may not even apply for the thing now. Chas. Largent gave me tickets for 10 gal. of gas and with what we have that would be enough to get the car back home and it seems there isn’t much trouble getting gas there. However, I’ll give it a

April 14, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] think. It isn’t hardly worth while asking you to send that registration because you can bring it when Joe comes up or I can get it if I come down. I’m going to start working on the coming down about tomorrow and after work tomorrow eve I’m planning on going house looking.

It was about 5 PM when I left the hospital this PM so thought I would see if I could find Socky. With his address I was able to get his Barrack number and I drove up in front and asked about where Wilson might be and was informed that he was at chow. I just sat in the car and along came Socky. When he saw me he yelled “Hi Doc.” The first part of his yell was very loud but it tapered off to a whisper and he walked up – stood at attention and saluted. Then when no one was looking we both laughed. His barrack is very near that first large building on the left as you approach the station. His hands were a bluish color from the dye in the clothes he had washed. He said they had to drill pretty hard today – running and sprinting around the drill field. He was very glad to see me – said he was homesick. All

April 14, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] in all he was very military. So much for Socky.

We got breakfast and lunch at the base – 25₵ per and it is checked from our pay. I guess we could get supper there but I haven’t tried as yet.

I’ll get paid some tomorrow but I won’t get the mileage until later. I’m not sure just how much I’ll be able to draw but will try to send some home.

Tomorrow is official day for white cap covers and I’m a little mixed up as to whether or not we can wear khaki. If not, I’ll have to buy another blue suit or grey whatever it might be but this I know I’m going slow on any buying of uniforms.

I think I’m in the whole house tonight by myself. I haven’t heard a sound and I’ve been here since 6:00 and it is now 9:00.

Since leaving home I’ve spent $1.17 – Two evening meals and 10₵ for a car badge – Haven’t even paid my room rent. She would not take it last night and she isn’t here tonight.

Well Dear – Love & goodnight
Daddy

Tired (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 13, 1944 envelope

April 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-13-44

Dear Daddy,

Just bathed David and taped up the thumbs. John took him up to bed and now John is doing homework and Mark is drying dishes.

I am very tired this eve but thought I would be able to sleep better if I am really tired. I don’t feel quite as low as I did this morning. I started cleaning up as soon as you left. Got the dining room back in order. After lunch I cleaned the kitchen floor and put a washer of clothes in. I was so tired by then thought I should rest. I took a short nap then hung out the clothes. David took a nice long nap. After I finished hanging the clothes I came in and dressed him and took him out in the sunshine. I thought I would sit on the step & read the Dem. but D. kept running around the house. Jimmy and Bobby came over and visited a while,

April 13, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] but they got into a bad quarrel and Jimmy went in the car with his Mother & Daddy. While sitting on the step Bobby said they might get a stone driveway. I asked him “where.” He said where the cement drive is now. I must have looked like I didn’t understand what he was talking about, and he followed with this, “Mommy & Daddy haven’t said anything about it, but I think we will have a stone driveway.” He said he liked the hills on both side of ours. After Mark came home I turned David over to him and Mark said Bobby got in trouble and his mother made him stay home. It was so warm today I hung the clothes out after 3 P.M. and they got dry. The water was very hot so thought I would take advantage of it & the sunshine. I got the clothes line up but it was quite a pull.

I just heard David and I think he is working on a thumb so will go up and see. He was looking out the front door and I said, ”See the robin.” He said “obin.”

I wrote a letter to Ruth M. and John took it to the P.O. I told them they could find a recruiting office either in Joliet or Chicago.

I was looking at the new evergreen tree. It is still damp around there from the recent rains but the tree is beginning to look brown around the edges. In a day or so I will water it if it doesn’t rain. I won’t mail this till morning and if there is any mail or news will add a line.

Love Mother

April 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Fri. a.m.
It is about time for Mark to go to school and the mail hasn’t been delivered yet so no news. It is cloudy and looks like it will rain. I am glad I got one washer of clothes done yesterday. Slept like a log last night but still tired. Going to try and get this mountain of ironing done. Mark tries to use the belt you left but it is too wide. David is full of pep and