Category Archives: World War II

Second Letter (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Dec. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been working on the financial statement – but having no adding machine I didn’t go into such details as groc. bills, lights, telephone, etc. but here is a list of Ins. – $443.55 – House $508.48 – Piano $300.oo – Loans paid $243.91 & $173.69 – Bike $35.00 – Hospital $128.80 – Bonds – $131.25 – coal $100.00 – The total of the above amounts to $2064.68 – The balance necessary to meet expenses is long & detailed and I’ll try to get the columns added so I can give you a complete report. As you will note I have not paid any Taxes (except $6.60 for the first of the year) but Agnes M. said for me not to. I think I have explained all about the taxes before. Even the gross isn’t paid by people in Service. The $330.00 you sent will take care of Ins. coming due the first of the year and I think I can buy some bonds, too. Our present bal. is $301.81 – and with the Jan. 1 cks. coming I’ll dep. $170.00 – There are bills amounting to $174.00 to be paid in Jan. – that doesn’t include groc. Bills which should amt. to about $30.00 – so I should be able to buy some bonds and still keep a comfortable bal. Does all the above sound complicated and as clear as a woman would make it? Thought I would give you food for thought – let you figure some of it out for yourself – I think you can add and deduct the right figures.

The other evening we were listening to Red Skeltons’ program and Ozzie & Harriet sang a song that sounded like double talk, but it is something like the tobacco auctioneers chant –

[page 2] It is Mares eat oats, Does eat oats, little kids lambs eat ivy, little kids lambs eat ivy – a kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you – Now just say it like this: Marze dotes and dozee doze, liddle lamz edivy, liddle lamz edivy, a kiddle dee divvy too, wouldn’t chew – I wish I could tell you the tune too – We all go around here singing Marze dotes. It’s just one of those silly catchy things. I know if you could have picked it up you would probably be humming it too.

It is getting late and I need some extra sleep to make up for getting a little tired over the holidays. We just listened to Dogwood and it was all about snoring – Imagine anything like that being funny. Sometimes David makes a noise in the night if he doesn’t sleep soundly – I don’t know what makes him do it, but Earl said he heard him all night Sat. when we stayed there. I really believe he heard him just a little while because I heard him, I think, about 4 a.m. but you know people think they hear things all night long, when they don’t – and especially if they aren’t feeling well.

Your Mother’s box came today and there was a picture of her & dad, done by a photographer. I hope she sent you one because it’s a very good picture. Pjs for J. & M. and a dollar for D. With the ten you sent & the 1.00 Mrs. P. gave him I am going to add enough for him a bond.

This is my second letter to you today, but the first one was written early this a.m. We’ll add a line in the morning.

Love Mother

Tues Morn – Yours of Dec. 18 & 19 came today. Also a letter from Glen & Pauline with $20.00 – $5.00 for each of us – They couldn’t find anything to send for gifts so just sent money. I sent them a box about two wks. before Christmas.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/04/second-letter-gladys/

That Old Biological Urge (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 14-15-16 & 17 came this morning. I was feeding David and when he quit eating I read your letters before I had my breakfast. The ck. was along in the letter of the 16th. I will get it banked today and work on the statement I want you to have. I am so tired today, should be able to get some written work done because I haven’t pep enough to do much else. I did too much hurrying around for Christmas, but I think a day or two of relaxing will fix me up. I am supposed to go to Laf. Wed. to get my lenses or rather left lense replaced so will take Mark to have the X-ray you suggested. Mark is a little run down now too. Had a little cold Christmas day but I think with a few days rest will be ready for school Monday. He is just like he was when you were home – runs himself ragged if I don’t hold him down. He was so good after he got over his tonsil operation. All signs of nervousness had gone, but after he was in school a while he began jerking his head again and going other little things nervously. I know from past experiences, rest is the best thing for him. I think he skipped his cod liver oil before Christmas several times and I think that is one reason he has a cold.

The new Digest came this morning and John is reading it while I write this, then he is going to the P.O. and bank. There is a package at the

[page 2] P.O. It could be from your mother or Glenn. Your mother didn’t get his gifts sent to Ruth’s or to us. She had the flu pretty hard. I hated that because she had been feeling so extra good.

David is in his bed playing with some of his new toys. – I just looked in and he has thrown toys on the floor and is playing with the box they were in. He woke me up about 6 this morning and I had to change his pants – he went back to sleep and I did too. It was past 8 when he got me awake again. I got up and brought him down for his breakfast. The shoes you mentioned have been returned. We will talk about someone else to wear them when you come home – but you know me – that old biological urge has always been strong. I have had a lot of time to think about “things” since David came. So many people have voiced the opinion that baby raising is harder on older mothers, but I don’t agree with that theory now, that after a ten year pause, I have had 15 months of baby care. I find I have more patience with D. than I had with J. or M. Maybe I have had more time to devote to D. – or have I? At any rate I have enjoyed taking care of him – and don’t think I could get tired of it. He is walking around now with his new Christmas bathrobe on. He is a nosey little fellow and keeps someone busy saying no! no! All the time he is out “on the loose.” We have him “almost” trained to leave the coffee table alone – not quite.

Mrs. Z. came over last night. She says Virginia is getting along fine now. I knitted a bag & mittens for her and cap & mittens for Betty for Christmas. I brought home a job from Ruth’s. I am to knit a sweater for Romaine – I told her maybe I would get it done for her graduation.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/02/that-old-biological-urge-gladys/

Tired Tonight (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-26-43

Dear Daddy –

Since I couldn’t mail the letter I wrote yesterday – the one the whole family signed, will just tuck another letter in. We left Ruth’s after dinner. It had turned rainy and I wanted to get home. Earl was in bed and I thought the sooner we got away the better for him. He didn’t have much temp. but Ruth said he was very tired and over worked and thought that was the reason he felt so all in. – We came home thru Watseka so I could see the Roberts. The two older children had colds and were established on the davenport, so I didn’t take our family in – She had a painting of Joe. Someone where he is happens to be an artist and I think it is a good portrait. However his Dad didn’t think it looked like him. I never did think a painted portrait looked like photography – Maybe Dr. R. is used to looking at Joe’s pictures by camera and that is the reason he didn’t think the portrait looked like him.

[page 2] Joe sent his family several travel books last year (or sometime) and Mrs. R. loaned them to us to look at. I just wish I had been able to take them along to Ruth’s. She said we should have something like them to look thru – however, she didn’t know anything about these. They came directly from there and should be authentic. She had in mind National Geographic. I have looked thru all but not read them yet. I must say the scenery is beautiful. Like Yellow Stone Park or similar places in this country.

I am tired tonight. Getting ready for Christmas, going to Ruth’s, driving, etc. I should be in bed now and am on my way. I sent Mark to bed early – he has a head cold. I think he has been skipping his cod liver oil when I don’t remind him to take it. It is warmer and I think the ice is melting so there won’t be much skating, if any. There won’t be any for him until he gets all over his cold. John is playing his records I gave him. David of course has been tucked in for some time. He has had a lot of fun with his new toys since we came home. He upset a box of candy under the tree twice – however it was wrapped caramels so no harm done. Ruth says he still looks like you across the eyes but I think his mouth is more like Mark’s. His teeth seem to be prominent – I wonder if the thumb sucking is going that or if his mouth would be that way naturally. It isn’t bad, but just a little prominent.

Love
Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/31/tired-tonight-gladys/

A Quick Line on Christmas (Roscoe)

Dec. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just a line added to the letter I wrote yesterday. It seems as if the censor board didn’t meet and it seems as if no mail went out so rather than write a long letter I’ll just add this note and do better tomorrow.

Christmas is practically gone and I think it was enjoyed pretty much by one and all and everyone is looking forward to the New Year. I don’t mean exactly a New Year’s party but the new year because it surely will bring lots of good things.

Again a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/30/a-quick-line-on-christmas-roscoe/

Christmas Eve in the Pacific (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

This being Christmas Eve, I should write something different probably but I haven’t the slightest idea what it would be. I just got it. From my window I can see a farmer making hay and I really mean hay – you know the kind that cows eat. Now that was never heard of around there so it must be different. Another thing that I’ve noticed in town which is different is the fresh vegetables right in with the Christmas decorations. I don’t mean by that that we don’t have fresh

[page 2] vegetables at home on Christmas but this is the summer type vegetables with the winter or Christmas decorations. I guess I’ve run that far enough or probably too far.

I’ve started writing again before mail time so here’s hoping there can be a foot note saying that letters came.

In a letter a few days ago I wrote of this friend of mine wanting the blood test for marriage. Well the Chaplin informs me this A.M. that I’m to attend the wedding and possibly be the best man. If I am the best man I’m going to be certain about that kiss to the bride. I mean if it is a

[page 3] practice here, Gee I’m all worked up. Not about the best man’s job as such but about the kiss. It is not going to be a double ring affair because she doesn’t want it that way. She said she could trust him so he didn’t have to wear a ring. Was my face red when she looked at my ring? Of course, if he goes back where he was she will have nothing to worry about because all the “babes” up there are a little shy.

We have a show tonite and after that we will probably open our Christmas packages. Most of the packages won’t be opened in the usual manner

[page 4] because who ever heard of using a bottle opener or a cork screw to open packages.

Later: In fact it is almost Christmas day and things haven’t been too bad for Christmas Eve. I’d say there was very little difference between this and last year even though the setting is different than that of one year ago. As I said it is almost Christmas and I’m still able to write so I’m doing alright. Maybe I could write better if I were drunk but it’s too late to start now. I’ll just have to wait until a later date – anyway don’t worry because I won’t get too drunk. John’s v-mail came and that was all there was for me today. Hope I do better on Christmas day.

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/28/christmas-eve-in-the-pacific-roscoe/

 

Christmas Eve (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-24-43

Dear Daddy –

Christmas Eve and the usual going round and round. Lucile wanted to go to Sheldon and get their turkey out of the locker. I got several things out too, a chicken, a few steaks and strawberries. I took a package of T-bone to Bud Kruman. I want to give Virginia a box of strawberries. I haven’t been up to Plummers yet but think I’ll take her a steak too. I am still saving back some Porterhouse steaks – I noticed there were still several packages of both sirloin & Porterhouse yet. On the way back we stopped at the greenhouse and got wreaths to take out to the cemetery. I stopped and got Dorothy at the Restaurant and she went with us out there, after we had left Lucile & Jimmy out at home.

Jimmy gave David a nice toy. It has pegs and a mallet – he likes the mallet – I imagine he will find lots of places to hammer with it. We gave Jimmy a toy & waterproof bib. They are going to Monticello tonight, so Jimmy had his gifts this morning. He had several nice things and seemed to like the toy David gave him. It is a small one – a duck with a cart attached – something he can handle easily.

[page 2] Mark is so anxious to open his gifts he is counting the hours – and so is John. Dorothy wants to see David get his gifts so I am going to keep him up until she can come out about 8 o’clock.

The weather having changed for the warmer and no snow in sight we are planning to go to Wilmington tomorrow & stay over Sun. I wish we could go to C.C. but with the furnace to take care of, it’s too far to go for just a day.

Statons went to Ft. Wayne, Foulkes are going to Chicago – Nate being stationed at Great Lakes and on duty 24 hrs. a day. They are going there to be with them. Zells will remain at home without company because of Virginia’s condition. Funks will be home – Arlene may go to the hospital – Dorothy said they would go to her mother’s since we won’t be here to take dinner with them.

Must get this finished so can get it mailed.
“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/27/christmas-eve-gladys/

No Mail For Me (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m starting this before mail time and hope there will be letters to answer before I finish. There probably won’t be any mail after all because when one plans on receiving some it generally work just the opposite.

The good old summer time has really arrived here. The sun is burning down and the grass is turning brown in some spots just like at home when it doesn’t rain much in the summer. It really is not much of a Christmas atmosphere but I’ve said that

[page 2] before. Even was saying that last year this time. However hot the days get it is always cool at night, about an hour or two after sundown I turn on the radiator and then shut it off at bed time and use 2 woolen blankets and even at that I’ve gotten chilly at night.

Our radio is playing one of Schubert’s something or other just now. My room is just off the “Boar’s Nest” and I get the radio programs rather plainly.

Some hours later – No mail for me. There were several packages but mine must be going to my old address. You have mentioned several times that you have sent packages but none have arrived. Ruth M. has also indicated that she has sent

[page 3] either Christmas or birthday gifts but none have arrived and I presume that they were sent to Navy 60.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and as far as I’m concerned it’s just another day or just another eve. Many of the boys who have been here are acquainted and have parties arranged but I’m just not the mixing kind so will make the best of Christmas if they will just feed us turkey and plenty of it – always thinking of a full stomach and why not? I’ll write more of the day before Christmas developments tomorrow.

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/26/no-mail-for-me-roscoe/ ‎

A New Lens (Gladys)

1943-12-23 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-23-43

Dear Daddy – Today David is 15 months old. He spent the afternoon with Jimmy while I went to Laf. with Dorothy. I went to get my glasses repaired. David broke the left lense – I glued it but thought I should get a new lense – but the optical shop was closed, so my trip was unnecessary. However I did some shopping for Mrs. Zell. Since Virginia’s accident Mrs. Z. hasn’t been able to get away to do much shopping. I saw Dr. Cole in the Foster shop. This being Thurs. I asked him how he got away. He said he told his wife not to try and find him for a few hours. Said he has delivered 498 babies so far this year. I suppose he will make the 500 mark yet this year. Arlene is to go down the day after Christmas if not before. Coke brought us a box of candy for Christmas. I had a handkerchief to give her. Last year the cheese co. gave the neighborhood boxes of cheese. John & Mark are listening to Baby Snooks. They get out of school tomorrow at 11:30. Both are getting very anxious to open their Christmas gifts. We have received boxes from both Ruths & Jim. Your Mother said she had things to send but had the flu so didn’t know when she would get things sent out. I sent your folks another year subscription to Reader’s Digest. I haven’t been over to see Virginia yet today so must go see her and take the things I bought for Mrs. Z.

Love Mother

YEG1943-12 David 14.5 months

David at 14.5 months

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2015/08/25/a-new-lens-gladys/

Cupid’s Arrow (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 22, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail today so must write out of a clear sky as I have often done and it’s just plain nonsense ad infinitum, but queer things do happen now and then. This P.M. as I was on duty the phone rang and I answered – giving my name, etc., and the fellow on the other end was very familiar which threw me for a loss but when he told me who he was —. A ship mate I had spent about 6 month up there with under adverse conditions and fellows like that seem like long lost brothers. Well is seems that on a former occasion he had met a gal here and decided he wanted to go thru life

[page 2] looking across the breakfast table at her so he wanted a quick Wassermann [1] and a chaplin so I being cupid’s right hand man started the ball rolling and in the course of a few hours cupid and Wassermann are over-taken and the guy is hitched or will be in a day or two. All I have to do now to complete the details is to fling a few grains of rice and they will be each other’s forever, etc. All I can say is “ain’t” love wonderful or maybe I should say “ain’t” nature grand. I’m always glad to see the younger generation get going. It gives great hopes, ideas & licentious designs which appeal to the,

[page 3] shall I say, more to the fantastic than the real side of life, which in common every day language means – more power to them.

I still wonder about the advisability of such procedures but one cannot criticize too severely even though the native country of each is different for they still, I hope, love each other and that seems to be the all important thing so what?

So far this letter has been, according to my own idea, very “screwy” but don’t pay too much attention to what I think.

To the more serious side. I was talking to one of the officers tonight about income tax. He told me service men were exempt $1,500 and after that all the dependencies, etc., were taken. Have

[page 4] you studied those things? In any case I don’t believe our tax will amount to much because as I have it figured the total taxable amount will be around $2,500 less of course that for dependencies. The way I figure this for Jan. & Feb. the amount was $183 per month and for the remainder of the year was $220 per month. That may not be too clear and but in the next week or two I’ll be able to send more definite figures because the pay affairs will furnish each with the amount taxable for 1943.

Due to not having anymore to write I’ll say – solong –
Love Daddy

[1] Wassermann – a blood test to determine syphilis

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/24/cupids-arrow-roscoe/

A Habit of Hollering (Gladys)

1943-12-22 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-22-43

Dear Daddy – Another day nearer Christmas. Ruth called me last night about coming over. I told her it depended on the weather. The temp. has been dropping today and is to get below zero tonight. If it starts to snow we will remain home. I took some pink ruffled curtains we used at the Davis house over to Zells and put them up in Virginia’s room. She has to stay in bed 3 wks. The tree is in her room and I took one of the lamp shades that turn round & round for her to watch. I can see the tree from the dining room window. It was so cold today I didn’t take David out. Lucile came out with Jimmy and he was so cold I thought David would be better off not to go out. I gave Jimmy a haircut. David tries to take everything away from Jimmy – also David has a habit of hollering at the top of his voice that sometimes scares Jimmy. A ck. came for dividends on the pd. up policy – ($5.62). I deposited it and the $26⁰⁰ ck. to apply on the premiums due next month. John is home from school and starting his home work. Mark has been here and gone back to town for something. He is very busy since he has some money to spend. He bought $5⁰⁰ in stamps. John hasn’t spent much of his. I will put David’s in a bond. David is very busy now and John is trying to keep him out of things.

Love, Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/23/a-habit-of-hollering-gladys/