Category Archives: World War II Letters

Toss His Cracker (Gladys)

September 8, 1945 envelope

September 8, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 8, 1945, p. 1

September 8, 1945, p. 1

9-8-45

Dear Daddy –

I rec’d two letters yesterday so didn’t get any today. Probably get two or three Mon. They have been coming pretty regularly. Dorothy came out yesterday and said Bobby had gotten some rat poison she had put out for the mice. It was on a cracker and he bit off one corner before she knew he had it. She told me when they came back from their vacation what she was going to do and I wondered at the time if it was wise to put poison out. The cracker he got was in the cabinet under the sink. They tried to get him to throw-up but he never did. She got Babe Carrol & Pauline Dennis and Babe even stuck her finger down his throat but “no go.” Nick went to see Dr. M. and he gave some medicine that should have made him “toss his cracker” but it didn’t work. He seemed perfectly OK when she was here with him in the afternoon. I told her he evidently didn’t get enough to hurt him. She said she knew he got some because she could smell it on his breath. Bernard Funk’s little girl drank iodine and had to be taken to the hospital and have her stomach pumped.

We are having rain today and cool. I am glad we got our washing done yesterday. Mark is trying to finish the lawn. He started this morning but didn’t hurry and had to stop between rains. Sammy has been here and of course he can’t work as fast if he has company.

September 8, 1945, p. 2

September 8, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Mark went to the fair with Zells yesterday afternoon. They stayed until late – saw the stage show. John didn’t go out and I didn’t either. I couldn’t get up any enthusiasm about any part of it.

Had another letter from Jim. It was written Aug. 19 and he didn’t seem to know the war was over. He said they dropped anchor near an island not long ago (before Aug. 19) and picked up a letter from me. Maybe by now he knows. Don’t they have radios on ships and don’t they keep up on the latest?

Uncle Wes & Aunt J. plan to come back Wed. and be here for dinner. Aunt J. sent me a card. Mom had received the picture of D. I sent for her birthday.

We listened to a Comdr. Crum on a radio program today. Thought he might give out something but it was all about Army discharges. However, he promised the points for Navy overseas duty will be given out soon. He said it would probably be ¼ point for each month, which will give you about 5. He invited anyone to write him on any questions they have and he will answer. He said this is a free country so feel free to ask. Anything you want to know. If I thought I would find out anything I would write the big question in our minds.

Dr. Hungess is gone on a month’s vacation and Irene changed the baby’s feeding this week. She put him on S.W.A. Maybe he told her to do that if he didn’t get along – but he is past 2 months old now – I would think a little advanced for that type of feeding.

Mark is waiting to take this –
So Love Mother

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/15/toss-his-cracker-gladys/

Patricia Bryan

Patricia was the daughter of William Fletcher Bryan and his first wife, Wilma R. Martin. Fletcher served in the Navy, enlisting in April 1942 and working his way through the ranks. By September 1945, he was a Lt. (jg). Presumably, Fletcher crossed paths with Roscoe in Liberty, Missouri, but further research will be needed. Before the war, Fletcher was a school teacher as was his wife Wilma.

The most distressing part of researching people who lived long ago, I find, is that I know how the story ends. And sometimes the story does not have a happy ending. When Patricia was 15, she was killed in an automobile accident. Her mother Wilma died four years later, also in an automobile accident.

A link to a newspaper article regarding Patricia and her accident in The Corpus Christi Caller Times (Corpus Christi, Texas), 22 May 1961, p. 10, col. 3-4. can be found here.

©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/14/patricia-bryan/

Four Nurses (Roscoe)

September 7, 1945 envelope

September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

September 7, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 7, 1945
USNRH
S.F. (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the AM in order to be sure it gets done because not having taken a draft out before I don’t know how much last minute work there might be.

Last night the Drs. & nurses had a Cock. T. party from 5 to 7:30 – Just the usual Yap-a-Yap. It was quite harmless thing and no one as far as I could see got too much & everyone seems to be aboard this AM. It was paid for and sponsored by the Welfare. I guess it was

September 7, 1945, p. 2

September 7, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] supposed to be a Morale builder. The Drs. change so rapidly I suppose they figure that is a good way to have people meet in a sort of informal way.

The package came in yesterday after I mailed your letter so that takes care of everything except those several letters on the way. I do hope I get one or two today because by being gone it will be several days that I know I won’t get mail.

I never did tell you but a Dr. and several nurses always take these drafts – I mean male nurses. I thought I’d better clear that up a bit.

September 7, 1945, p. 3

September 7, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] I’ll have four corpsmen – 2 for each car. Really the male nurses I mentioned are only corpsmen but I had to writes nurses in order to get the joke – some joke.

Drs. get orders out of here practically every day – It seems to be the Lt. Cdrs. and the jgs. I’m not sure what they are saving the Lts. for.

When I first came I called Geo. Wingfield and he was gone but I left a message and he called me yesterday. He had just gotten back and had lots to do so I didn’t get to see him. He told me

September 7, 1945, p. 4

September 7, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] on the phone that he and Stanich would probably be out in 60 days. That sounds good because they won’t leave only Med. off. to run the Navy. I saw an enlisted man leave here yesterday with his discharge. That was a real one and not a medical. I wanted to look to see if maybe my name was on the thing but I guess it wasn’t.

Well, I’ll try to get a line off tomorrow someplace –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/13/four-nurses-roscoe/

Sprained Ankle (Gladys)

September 7, 1945 envelope

September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

September 7, 1945, p. 1

9-7-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 4 & 5 came this a.m. with cks. which I will deposit today and which will boost our balance up to $578.31 (plus $47.00). Thanks – I do want to pay for the new burner if possible when it is installed. The furnace is going fine – that is we have a fire this morning and a washing going. No school today so the boys are here to help me. I told you in yesterday’s letter that Loughridge came out yesterday to find the trouble and the wire to the air had been cut so he spliced it and fixed things up.

Arlene had a wiener roast yesterday for Bobby’s birthday – however she didn’t mention it being his birthday – but it leaked out and he received gifts from all his guests. Earlier in the afternoon Arlene sprained her ankle. At the time it didn’t hurt, but as the time passed it got so bad she couldn’t put her weight on it. It got to paining her so terribly that we thought she might have a broken bone. It being Thurs. PM was a problem about getting a Dr. They wouldn’t even try to call M. because they said he wouldn’t do anything. They didn’t want to call Van because they wanted an X-ray. Bill tried to get Rumkorf but he said he was leaving for somewhere and that was that. Bill finally called Altier and he told him to bring her down. I stayed down there with Donna (the girl) until they got back. There was no break but the Dr. said it was worse than a break. The ligaments were badly torn and that she would have to keep off her foot two or three weeks. I told you she is 6 months pregnant and the girl she brought home from Wis. is homesick and wants to go back next week. She is going to have to find

September 7, 194,5 p. 2

September 7, 194,5 p. 2

[page 2] someone to help her. She told me the day before that she had been so terribly ill at the beginning of this pregnancy and that she had had to rest so much. She came near having a nervous breakdown early in the summer. I told her last night maybe it was a good thing this happened to her so she will get plenty of rest. She said she guessed the Lord was taking care of her so she would rest.

About the travel business. I haven’t given it much thought because of J. & M. being in school. I wouldn’t relish the idea of a trip but had thought if you just stay on & stay on David & I might come out However I think all these Drs. just like you are going to raise up in arms if something isn’t done, but fast. The only thing to do at the present time is to wait – but not too long before someone does something. It always looks darkest just before the dawn, to quote a proverb or something.

—Just stopped to hang up some washing. It seems hot out in the sun – I suppose we will have some warm days but it cools off in the evening. It is a good day to dry clothes, and since I am washing today that is quite important.

Your Reader’s Digest came today. I’ll send it with both local papers. If you don’t want me to send the papers or magazines just let me know. (Hope it won’t be necessary much longer).

I think the Bendix has stopped again, so will go hang out some more clothes.

—I went down to see Arlene and she was feeling better, tho still having some pain. Bill found a “maid” for them this morning, so that will help some. It’s the woman who did work for Mary & Bernard. Mary let her go – she was not pleased with some things and Arlene told Mary she couldn’t be so fussy in these times. Mary retorted “you sound just like Bernard.” Evidently Bernard had told her the same thing, but she let her go anyway. Mark is going to the Fair with Zells, but not until later this afternoon.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/12/sprained-ankle-gladys/

Klamath Falls (Roscoe)

September 6, 1945 envelope

September 6, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 6, 1945, p. 1

September 6, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 6, 1945
USNRH
San Francisco (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

Another day and no mail. Your last was Aug. 31. Just about as bad as overseas.

Yesterday I mailed you a check and a money order & I know you will let me know as soon as you get them. I’ll hold on to the M.O. stub and the data off the check until I do hear from you.

I’m going to Klamath Falls, O., tomorrow with a draft. It is only a one day trip. This was not by choice but by order. I have 47 marines. Seems as if no one wanted to go there so the

September 6, 1945, p. 2

September 6, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Capt. put the bee on me. We leave here about 6 PM – get there around 6 AM and then turn around and come home. Well it will be a trip. I’ve put in for a Great Lakes draft but so have numerous others but maybe my turn will come.

This has been the warmest day so far. No fog and just like Ind. or Mo. but I suppose by night the wind will start blowing, etc.

I don’t know how to get the mail thru any faster. Most of the Drs. seem to be in the same boat but a few seem to be getting along a little better.

September 6, 1945, p. 3

September 6, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] We finally got orders to move into our new quarters. They sure are swell – built for two officers but so far only one has been assigned to each room. There is a big lounge – Ice box, a small galley, etc. My stuff has just been thrown in but I’m going to arrange as soon as I get off this eve.

There were about eighty new admissions on my ward today so all has been more or less confusion but they settle down a little after a few hours.

I’ll try to get you a letter out before I go to Klamath tomorrow but I’ll be pretty busy and it may not be much

September 6, 1945, p. 4

September 6, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] the next day maybe I can write from there – the next day I may be back – depends upon the transportation schedule. I get $7.00 per day extra but I have to pay for my own pulman so I won’t make much on the trip. If I break even I’ll be well satisfied.

Well, I must get going to get this into the mail today.

Love Daddy

P.S. Have one of the boys write me a letter with a 3₵ stamp and mail his & yours at the same time to see how much difference. The package has not arrived. The pictures did.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/11/klamath-falls-roscoe/

The Furnace (Gladys)

September 6, 1945 envelope

September 6, 1945 envelope

September 6, 1945, p. 1

September 6, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

9-6-45

Dear Daddy –

The sons one and two are off to school. David is trying to find something to do – I don’t have to look for anything – there is plenty to do, but I am not doing too much. I knitted on Bobby’s snow suit yesterday and got the jacket ready for the sleeves. It was so nice out in yard so after David had his nap we went out and enjoyed the scenery. David plays in the driveway in the rocks. He enjoys that as much as a sand pile. Coco came to see us while we were in the yard. She seemed very glad to see us, and I think she was. They just returned home Tues. evening.

Things are at a stand still on the furnace. The air stopped working and I called Loughridge but couldn’t get Chet. Bun promised to come out and see if he could locate the trouble, but he didn’t come. I called again and he said he was covered up with work and his Dad was out of town. He said to call Monroe or Arnold. I told him since they were going to make the change over I would rather they would come out. I wouldn’t bother with it but I can’t even heat water as it is now. It would click, but the air wouldn’t turn on, so I disconnected the fuse, until someone can look at it. We can get along without hot water until we need to wash.

–Yours of Sept. 2 & 3 came and the regular checks. Also some adv. from Carr Drug, Pit-Morian, M. & R. Dietetic Lab & Sherman. They must think you will soon be back. Hope they are right.

September 6, 1945, p. 2

September 6, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Norma was going to town so I went along – The stores will be closed this afternoon and I wanted to get a few necessities. Tomorrow school will be out and one of the boys can go if necessary. I banked one ck. and cashed the other. Have to give the boys their allowance so we can get back on schedule.

We haven’t heard anything in the past few days about Navy releases but I think the info in the Chicago Tribune is authentic because it is the same as we heard Sat. on the radio, given out by Adm. Denfield, head of Navy Demobilization. So I think something will be done as soon as it is possible. Dolores said so many changes had to be made over night that it will (may) take a little time to get releases started. However if 11,200 is the goal for Sept. someone should be getting theirs soon. I just scanned over the Democrat and see that John Krull has been discharged. They are getting ready to open their restaurant. Also see the Paul Yost is to be discharged soon. I’ll send the papers to you and you can do your own reading. I think you will enjoy that more.

I just checked the bank statement. Our present bal. with the $170 deposited is $369.27 (plus $47). The Laf. Life will have to be pd. this month or before Oct. 7 but you will send some by then.

I talked to Geo. Tilton about the linoleums this morning and he is going to see about fixing them. They split the place where it is bulged – put in cement and weight it down until it dries, then it should stay – and he says shows no mark.

Lucile just called ma and said she was going to cancel her appointment with Dr. Ade next week. She was to take Jimmy down for allergy tests – he has not been so good the past week and she thinks the trips down and the tests would be too hard on him now – I told her too, to wait a while because Dr. Y would probably have an outfit like that and she could get it done right here. She agreed that it would be much easier.

As you advised me, keep your chin up and I love you,

Mother

P.S. Bun just came out and found the trouble – the wire leading to the air was cut so he fixed it and now I have a fire going and soon will have hot water and burn the garbage. He seemed to think they would soon have the oil burners, so I tried to impress him with the fact that he can’t get it in too soon.

David “Anthy” is still wide awake after being in bed since lunch time and it’s now past 2:30. I think he is not going to sleep at all and I did want him to have a nap since we are to go to Funks for a wiener roast tonite. When anyone asks him where Daddy is he says San Franciko. Coco asked him who was who in our group picture and he was very emphatic about, “my daddy.”

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/10/the-furnace-gladys/

Travel Money (Roscoe)

September 5, 1945 envelope

September 5, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 5, 1945, p. 1

September 5, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 5, 45
USNRH
S.F. (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

Your letter dated Aug. 31 and mailed Sept. 1 came this AM. The pictures came yesterday PM but the other package has not arrived as yet. I expect it this PM.

I finally got my watch this AM and I’m real pleased with it – shock proof – water proof, etc. Cost $34.50. I was a little late on alarm clocks but maybe we don’t need one badly now, but they did have some good ones for $3.50. I tried to get a steam iron but it seems those have been off the market for some time.

In yesterday’s letter I wrote that this Dr. and I had gone to San Mateo looking for a house and that he had permanent orders here, etc. Well he got his orders. He is to be medical officer on a transport. He has been in the Navy since 1941 so it’s hard to figure. However, he being on a transport can be discharged anytime the ship comes into port after the Drs. start to be discharged.

I never did ask him how many points he

September 5, 1945, p. 2

September 5, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] had but I know he must have plenty for he has dependents, about one year more service than I, and he can’t be much younger. So all we do is sit and wait and wonder. I do believe there are steps being taken to discharge but it takes lots of time with such a large organization.

There is a staff meeting this PM at 1330 and it is now 1305 – so I must get this ready to mail as soon as the meeting is over. Then too I must go down and see if I can get this long looked for travel money. They promised me I could get it this PM. If they do I may send it home in a later letter today. I don’t like to have too much money around and I don’t need much unless I’d happen to get orders somewhere back east. I hope I hope I hope.

Well Dearie I’ll stop and promise more for next time. Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. The check was all ready and I thought maybe you could use the extra $50. That should about install the furnace – Let me know as soon as you get these.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/09/travel-money-roscoe/

Pictures from Missouri (Gladys)

September 5, 1945 envelope

September 5, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 5, 1945, p. 1

September 5, 1945, p. 1

9-5-45

Dear Daddy –

This being fair week the stores will be closed today, Thurs. & Fri. PM’s. School will be closed Fri. Mark wants to go out for the day with Buddy – but what they can find to do out there a while day is a mystery to me. Mark went yest Monday evening with Statons so he may have changed his mind by now. The mail hasn’t been delivered yet, it being just past 9 o’clock. I finished the dishes and put dough to raise in the sun by the piano – the only place I could find. I promised the boys hot rolls for lunch.

I went to Brook with Norma yesterday – their locker here is full and she had corn to put in, so took it to their Brook locker. I took your brown suit to the tailor at Brook. Lucile said Ed took an overcoat to have a hole repaired and that he did good work. I also stopped at the upholstery place. T seems hard to find the man but I talked to his wife. She said he had enough tapestry material to cover a davenport – someone ordered it and then didn’t take it. It is turquoise (a greenish blue) flecked with a rose flower. I thought if perhaps he would make me a good price on the job I might go ahead with hit. Since he doesn’t have much other material to work with he should be able to get this job done. She (his wife) says he restyles furniture, and from the looks of things I don’t think he is very high in his prices – but I have heard he does good work.

The roll of film I took in Mo. turned out about 50%. There was one miss – I forgot to turn the camera

September 5, 1945, p. 2

September 5, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] and lost one picture. I’ll enclose what I think you will care to see. My picture was not good, so I am not sending it. I hope by now you have received the first pictures I sent – David’s & our group.

Yours of Aug. 30 just came – had been misspent to La Fontaine, Ind. I was glad you could get out for a while. We haven’t had much social life since coming back, but that isn’t exactly necessary see we see people we know every day and the boys are in school. I go to town every day or so in the afternoon and visit a little while with the crowd in at Krulls. Lucile called me this morning to give me a bit of news. Arlene had bridge club last night and announced that she is having a baby in 3 months. I don’t believe anyone knew it – however I thought Arlene was looking unusually good and “plump.” She must be different this time because she usually gets very large. She says she is going to have 6. Mark wondered if we could have a little baby girl – not adopted – but one of our own. I said “why” and he said he thought it would be nice. I said “is it because of Karen,” and he grinned and said “yes.” He thinks Karen is tops. I told him to take the matter up with you when you come home.

Uncle W. & J. stopped on their way to C.C. They are to be here for dinner the day they return home – sometime next week. They wanted to know if there was anything they could bring back and I said some evergreens.

Mrs. Capes called me about something and she said Doris is in San F. Her husband, a Dr. in the Navy has ship duty and is out now in the Pacific. Mrs. C. thought you might call Doris (Mrs. Wm. Douglas) W.9718.

David is trying (not too hard) to take a nap. He is on one of his tears today and I doubt if he goes to sleep. If he doesn’t take a nap he will go to bed earlier tonite. It has been very cool, but is getting warm today – the temp. is supposed to get up to 90°.

I’ll try to get a camera and take this other roll and send you some brand new ones – (Hope you get back by then.)

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/08/pictures-from-missouri-gladys/

Day Trip On A Street Car (Roscoe)

September 4, 1945 envelope

September 4, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 4, 1945, p. 1

September 4, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 4, 1945
USNRH
S.F. (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Thur. night and Fri. arrived today but still no pictures nor any other package. I suppose over the weekend – what with V-J and Labor day, etc., things got messed up a bit.

I forgot to tell you about the car. I just had a new distributor put on the day before we left Mo. but the cable leading to it was bad – That is what was wrong with the car when we had the trouble before the welcoming party at the new Ex. Remember – Of course it is too late for me to tell you this now, but in case they didn’t catch the cable trouble you might have it checked.

As I told you before we don’t hear much radio news but as yet there is nothing official on any point systems for the navy. Plenty of men around here are burned up but most of them are just like me waiting a few weeks. So I guess

September 4, 1945, p. 2

September 4, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] the only thing to do is stand put for a few weeks yet. Then I think I’ll write a letter to you that will make the paper ‘sizzle” and I want you to give the content to Ira D. You see it would hardly be proper for me to write directly to him but I could write to you and you could pass it along and no harm would be done.

Yesterday being a holiday another Dr. asked me if I’d like to go down to San Mateo. Just for the ride. The ride was on the trolley. I found that he was out more or less house looking. He lives in Mass. Has three children but his orders read for duty here and not temporary like mine. It would cost us almost $350.00 to get you and the boys here and then about the time you arrived my orders would come thru back to some place near home. And then $350.00 more. Sure I’d like the family to be together but I think we’d better wait a while yet. What am I arguing about? You didn’t ask to come out. If I knew I’d be here a while I’d like to have you and D. come if the other boys could get along. Maybe I can get

September 4, 1945, p. 3

September 4, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] those orders changed to read permanent instead of temporary.

More about our trip. We got on the street car just a few blocks from the hospital. We almost froze walking to the car line and then out of town and past the mountains and very hot sunshine. It really felt good to be in the hot sun. We walked around for a spell then took the bus back to town – Total cost 50₵ – 25₵ each way. The housing situation doesn’t look good – Every place is filled – Trailers & Trailer camps all along the highway.

The Dr. I went with joined the navy in May 1941. Spent about 2 yrs in Cuba and is here for further assignment even though his orders do read permanent. So you can see others are in the same boat we are in. Hope we get out of that boat before long – possibly being an old salt I should say ship, but what ship are we in, hard ship, under slip – no that isn’t right it’s ship and not slip – Don’t pay any attention to the last few remarks. I didn’t

September 4, 1945, p. 4

September 4, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] get them either.

I’m supposed to get my travel money tomorrow PM. That too was slowed down due to the elongated weekend.

You mentioned some time ago in a letter about John going to Chicago on Sat. to take lessons. I’m not too much in favor of that – School all week long and 160 miles on Sat. is a little too much. I’d rather save the money and let him go someplace next summer. I believe he would like it better and possibly get more out of it or just as much. He seemed to think Miss Smith could still teach him and I’m sure he could do something to keep improving himself.

Well, I must get this to the P.O. So Solong –
Lots of love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/07/day-trip-on-a-street-car-roscoe/

Plane Crash (Gladys)

September 4, 1945 envelope

September 4, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 4, 1945, p. 1

September 4, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 4 – 1945

Dear Daddy –

It’s nearly 10 o’clock and I have an ironing to do and cabbage to cut for kraut, but the mail just came with yours of 8-31 & 9-1 so I am going to write now and work later. Also had a letter from the Moores. I wrote them and sent the baby’s pants. B. said J.B. had a letter from you. She said 8 of the boys went out on points (and very happy). David seems normal this morning. He didn’t run any temp. yesterday, but this morning he called me at about 7:30 and wanted a glass of drink – I had been up with him at 4 too for same. It was so chilly this morning I thought he must have a temp. to be wanting a drink so early, but he doesn’t have and is playing around here very happily. It is too cool for him to go out – that is, there is no sunshine and it is damp & chilly so I am keeping him in. Last night John was going upstairs with him to put him to bed and somehow he fell down the stairs. John said he just sort of slid down on his “bottom end.” He was scared some and John had to carry him back up and then David refused to even walk from the bathroom to his bed. He told John “I might fall.” However he seems to have forgotten – has been back upstairs by himself this morning.

Statons took Mark with them to the fair last night. Jimmy wanted someone along with him. Mark saw a piper cub crash out there and was quite impressed. I don’t believe he will be so

September 4, 1945, p. 2

September 4, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] anxious to take plane rides now. It really quieted him down on the subject.

John got his course straightened out finally. He is taking speech this year instead of English, and Smith is his teacher. He takes Latin and has Kitsmiller. Smith told him if he takes speech it won’t be necessary to take English. He is much happier about school now. He mowed the back yard after school yesterday. I paid Mark $2.00 to clean up the yard the first time because it was such a job, but I am putting them back on a monthly basis and told then it was both their job now.

– – The sun has come out and it’s nearly noon. I stopped to get a few things done. I had promised an upside down cake for today so had to get it baked for lunch.

I am sending your mother one of David’s pictures today for her birthday the 6th. I hope you remembered to send her a card or letter.

– – had to stop again – the boys came in for lunch. John was rattling off something from speech class. He is really enjoying it. Mark had a piece of fabric from the plane that crashed last night. Someone had it at school and you know how he likes souvenirs. David is taking a nap. He would not go to sleep yesterday but today he dropped right off without any fuss. I was feeling somewhat guilty about his mosquito bites – however I try to kill them every night before I go to bed – but it seems everyone has some. Statons’ baby & Jimmy, Joy Funk had so many but so far she hasn’t had any reaction from them. I think they get them in the daytime while they are out playing as well as at night.

I suppose you have all the low-down on discharges, that is, what has come out in the papers & over the radio – Let’s hope they soon get to you.

I love you – Mother

[Editor’s Note: An article about the plane crash made the front page of the Brook Reporter on September 6, 1945.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/06/plane-crash-gladys/