Tag Archives: New Zealand

Chow (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail today was a package from Mead Johnson & Co. A bunch of Vit. A, B, C & D. I’m not sure that I need them but will keep them just in case I feel as if I’m getting low in any one of the said vitamins. Right now I feel I should really take some of some kind because the food for me today was bad. At noon we had corned beef and I’ve eaten lots of that. This isn’t so bad because it wasn’t canned but I don’t like it as well as chicken. This eve. for chow we had spaghetti and lamb stew and I just simply would not eat. I did, however, eat a few raw cucumbers with vinegar and a small, very small piece of cake – Tomorrow is another day and the food will be better and I won’t fall off too much in weight for not having eaten much as of Dec. 29. I’ve drank a few cokes and those will help keep the system going.

Just stopped to kill two great big flies, and when I say big I mean just that. They remind one of bombers. We have no screens and they come in and buss and one really feels like he is being blitzed. I don’t pay much attention to them at night but early in the morning they are a real menace to

[page 2] one’s sleeping routine.

The box that came from Ruth & Floyd yesterday had parts of an Indianapolis Star in it and the fellow that I wrote about from Kentland got a Star from someone and he traded me that for the Newton Co. E. so I have some reading to do especially the funnies. There was three comic books and I have read those so am now ready to start on the funnies.

It’s late tonight as I didn’t start writing until after the show and the show was rotten. That last part had nothing to do with the late start at writing but I just added it for affect or something.

Well Dear I’ll take a vitamin pill, get the funnies and retire – so solong until tomorrow –
Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/08/chow-roscoe/

Re-read Your Letters (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’ve re read your letters. The latest from you was the v-mail Dec. 13 and the next was your greeting card and letter – Dec. 12. The other v-mail was Dec. 11 and the letters were back to Dec. 5 but not all were present back that far. Some are missing.

I was amused at what you said wrote that John said about the money situation. Does he take after his Mom or his Pop? He should have a vote of thanks for thinking of the family finances. And the finances – what with those large chunks coming out for the piano, the loans, the hospital, etc., I think you have really done well. Next year we won’t have those things, but there is always something to th take the place of those things. You mentioned your mother’s hospital expenses. What are you or have you done about the funeral expenses. I assume you had Bob H., etc. and you have some arrangement with him. You perhaps wrote all this but it hasn’t arrived. Did you have take her to Shelburne? Or What? Maybe you would rather not write those things but I’d like to know.

[page 2] I hope you and the boys don’t get the flu – you mentioned in your last letter that it was pretty thick around. I suppose Dr. M. is worked pretty hard during conditions like that. He probably does what he wants to and lets the rest go to someone else. How about the Drs. in Sheldon? There were three there when I left, and our friend at Earl Park? And do you ever hear from Jim Openshaw?

Miller must have been sent out quick because the last time I heard he was in Tenn. or Mich. and had just been transferred.

Seems as if I’ve asked lots of questions in this letter rather than answered those your letter but those are some of the things I’ve thought of while reading your letters.

The mail hasn’t arrived as yet today or I should say it isn’t time for the mail to arrive so I’ll finish later – Later –

Yours of Dec. 9th came – a greeting card letter from Ruth & Floyd and a box from them also. So all in all it wasn’t a bad mail call –

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/05/re-read-your-letters-roscoe/

Trouble with the Furnace (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received several letters from you today – Yours & the boys Christmas greetings – a letter and box from the folks and a greeting card letter and picture from Dolores. The picture was of she and he taken in Washington. I’ll have to re-read your letters before I write next time because I’m on-duty now and the letters aren’t where I am. And that is also the reason for the pencil.

You mentioned the check – That was the first one I sent. Hope the other one have arrived by now. Your mail service that way must be pretty good – almost as good as when I was back up the way.

A Newton Co. E. came today – The one telling of C.O. Riggs. That was the first I knew of the whole thing and in it was an account of the Simison girl having her appendicitis – Lots of news – Even Grace Cox was in the hospital. You haven’t mentioned lately whether Dr. Van Kirk is back at work or not – Maybe you aren’t interested in him. Not even enough for him you to write about him.

It seems you are having trouble with the

[page 2] furnace and Indiana Coal. Can’t Geo. Monroe get the thing regulated? Why don’t you have him make trips out there about every hour some day to check on it to see if he can really get things going?

I’m going to check the figures on the finances you gave and probably will have some comment about those but I read the letters so rapidly I couldn’t tell now a single figure you mentioned.

Do you remember a long time ago I mentioned sending an officer home with a bad eye? About June first. He is now back out at the first station when I was first located. He was back there U.S.A. for 5 months, so I guess he doesn’t have too much to complain about.

Well, next time I’ll answer more of your letters.
Love Daddy

P.S. also got a letter from Wayne W.

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/03/trouble-with-the-furnace-roscoe/

Christmas Dinner and a Wedding (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.O.P. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

Now that Christmas is over and things have quieted down to a lazy Sunday P.M. a letter might be in order.

First here is the menu of our Christmas dinner – 1. Tomato Juice cocktail 2. Creamed Turkey soup with rice 3. Roast Vermont Turkey 4. Giblet Gravy 4. Dressings 5. Lettuce and tomato salad 6. Ice cream with fresh strawberry sauce 7. Oranges 8. Candy 9. Nuts 10. Cigars & 11. Cigarettes and 12. Coffee. I don’t believe I left anything out. Yes these were sugar cookies

[page 2] to eat with the ice cream. I copied that from a menu which was all prepared, etc., but couldn’t be sent thru the mail.

When I told you about that wedding being Christmas day I was mistaken. It is this P.M. instead and I’m waiting for something to develop. It’s supposed to be at 1600 and it is now 1400 so I have some time to kill. I’ll add a note at the end if anything startling happens.

Yesterday’s mail brought only a letter from Ruby Cunningham. She just wrote out of a clear sky and last night after writing that short note I wrote her a letter so

[page 3] you can see how I spent Christmas night. There was a show which was only fair and I played a game or two of Acey Ducey.

I’m going to make a New Year’s R. to write all those people I owe letters. That is almost a week away so I have that much time to delay. I used to like to write and would generally get the answer out on return mail but not so anymore. I’ve written & rewritten the writable things and that must be the reason for my change. Then too maybe I don’t have as much time, or maybe I don’t use my time as I used to do. Anyway I don’t write as many letters now as one year ago.

[page 4] I haven’t written the Folks yet today but will before the wedding. It keeps me from getting so nervous about the affair – say who is getting married? I’ll finish later.

Several hours later – The wedding was a great success. The groom kissed the bride. There wasn’t any fanfare. Just a quiet little affair with me the only American there except the Chaplin but for that matter there was only about 8 other people there and I didn’t act as best man. They didn’t have one of those things. I just had to sign as a witness. After the affair they took some pictures. The only one I got in was the one of the Chaplin & I. Romantic don’t you think –

Well Dear hope you had a nice Christmas
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/01/christmas-dinner-and-a-wedding-roscoe/

A Quick Line on Christmas (Roscoe)

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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

New_Zealand_Cities

©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)

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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/

 

No Mail For Me (Roscoe)

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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/ ‎ ‎

Cupid’s Arrow (Roscoe)

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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/

Christmas Cheer (Roscoe)

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Letter transcripion:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
Dec. 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just re read one of your letters and find finances one great difficulty you are having or rather were having at that particular time. The checks I sent will have gotten there by now or soon will and those will help.

I’m glad you weren’t thinking of spending Christmas with the folks. I think that is too far for you to drive at this time of the year and the change is apt to cause colds, etc., which it seems you folk are having lots of difficulty with at present.

Just finished reading the other letters and find there are no questions to answer. You

[page 2] wrote of Christmas greetings. One came from Harold & Coco – a very nice one –

You wrote of a plane coming over and the things it made you think of. That would be swell and some day it may be true. Hope it isn’t in the too far distant future, but I’m still not making plans because as we’ve written no plans and no disappointment but that doesn’t keep a person from dreaming.

Tonite was the regular might for the stage show. It was better than last week, but not too good. It helps pass the time but I wouldn’t

[page 3] pay much money after the first one if I knew what was coming. They seem to be very fond of singing “White Christmas” and I don’t see why the natives would know what they were singing about. Another song I’ve heard recently very much is “Star Dust” and that has an Indiana background also “Rocking Chair” and “My Gal Sal.” They all seem to strike a familiar something of back home.

It is now three days until Christmas and I haven’t the slightest idea of what I’ll do other than the usual work and perhaps have turkey for chow. We probably will have a few drinks if anything

[page 4] turns up drinkable which it usually does. In fact I think there is enough around now for some Christmas cheer.

I’ve been some little time writing this letter – writing a little and then just sitting trying to think of something more and you can see for yourself I didn’t think of much in between the writing periods.

Well, Dear I hope you and the boys are having a swell time around the New Year.
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/22/christmas-cheer-roscoe/

Best Tennis Player (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 20, 1943

Dear Mother,

Three air mail letters and three v-mails today. Your latest v-mail was Dec. 7. Mark’s v-mail came along but none from John and I believe you said both were mailed the same day. I’ll have to re read your letters again in order to answer your questions or comment on what you wrote. The latest of the lot was Dec. 7.

I still feel like the very Dickins because you were getting no mail and the reason was the leave I was taking. You stated that the last letter was Dec.[sic] 19 and that was the day I left. Of course by now the regular schedule is again going but the suspense of those 10 days.

I overheard some people talking this eve. about the best tennis player weighing around one hundred

[page 2] and I immediately spoke up and said I could go one better. Quote “The best woman in the word only weighed about that much” and when asked who – my answer “my wife.” I may not have my quotation marks in the right place but I hope you understand what I mean.

I hope the checks I sent will help out with the finances because as I read from your letters I assumed that you were very low. Maybe with the little added amount I sent during this month you can again get on top and keep the big bad wolf from the door.

Between now and tomorrow’s letter I will re read the letters

[page 3] received today and see if I can write a more sensible letter using yours as a background.

It seems it’s hard for me to get started writing your letters early in the day and I always have to hurry so I won’t get to be too late for bed and I must get my eight hours every night.

Well, I’ll promise to write a better letter next time.
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/20/best-tennis-player-roscoe/