Tag Archives: V-mail

Six month anniversary (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

2/8/43

Dear Mother,

Just six months ago today we were leaving Moffitt Field. We sorta call it an anniversary of a type which means just that many months behind as far as foreign service is concerned. What the total length of time for that kind of service will be isn’t definitely known but this much is certain it’s that many months behind.

Yesterday one of the officers had a birthday and we had a little celebration with turkey and birthday cake for supper. That was only the officers in Ships Co. Just a little celebration in our own family. It make it pretty nice to have a small group like that. Seems more friendly etc.

[page 2]I told them my birthday was past and there was no celebration but if they wanted to it would be OK. There hasn’t been any advances in that direction as yet.

Our mail seems to be a little on the sluggish order again it being several days since any of value has drifted in. We have high hopes but after the mail times we are generally pretty much on the low order but hopes pop up by the time of the next delivery and then flop down again. I’ve almost gotten myself to the place where I don’t get my hopes built up.

We sure do look forward to the show, however, and are as anxious as, and in fact we remind me of

[page 3] how the sisters at the hospital used to look forward to and talk about the shows they would have while I interned there.

Helen Kline’s husband has been with me at several shows I take him in our section as a guest. We have a little better seats than the others and I’m allowed a guest. So why not?

Today’s letter is like pulling teeth – nothing to write about and not too much energy to write even if there was something.

Later – Show over. “Beyond the Blue Horizon” Dorothy S. & Jack Haley. South Sea Island picture. “puey” mothering like that around here although one of the mountain scenes with the red dust etc did look something

[page 4] like one of the mountains we saw yesterday. This picture was all in color hence the similarity.

Your letter of Jan 9. Came today. In it you told of not being able to send packages. That of course we knew but it that letter would have come thru I think it would have been our first knowledge of such. That letter didn’t help much since your letter of Jan. 19 came several days ago (v-mail). Hope you continue to write v-mail because it will be the fastest I’m sure, but write air mail also if you are allowed to. Well, hope this mail today was a forerunner of more to come anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/20/six-month-anniversary-roscoe/

Darning sox (Gladys)

1943-02-08Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-8-43

Dear Daddy – Monday evening and studing going on – Mark is supposed to be practicing his cornet but is munching an apple – David is tucked in – Mother is darning sox. Have the den about done over into a nursery. Looks much better now, but now the piano seems to crowd the living room. Maybe we will get used to it. I didn’t get this finished last nite – but sent a registered air mail yesterday – Lucile came out today with Jimmy Ed – It is so nice today – Just like spring – but will look for anything tomorrow. Jimmy Ed is getting a skin irritation so Dr. changed his formula. She has to add lactic acid now. He is on the bottle altogether now and isn’t gaining quite so fast but weighs 11-4. It is about time to eat – I made biscuits and you know that always suits the boys. This eating business is getting more expensive all the time. I want the boys to make a garden this summer if we can find a place. Mark wants to join 4-H so I thought we might be able to work out something – However I am not going to fill my cans until I get the vegetables. If he had a little help I think he could do a lot with a garden. Jimmy Staton is better but Mrs. J. [Mrs. James] is sick. She has been taking liver shots all winter but they haven’t seemed to do much for her. Mark brought his spelling paper – had C in spelling & B in writing. Would sent it to you if this way regular mail. John wrote an essay but haven’t heard it yet. It is getting near D’s feeding time and he is getting a little “mean.”

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/19/darning-sox-gladys/

Eight letters this week (Gladys)

1943-02-04Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-4-43

Dear Daddy- No letter today but have had eight this week – the last dated Jan 27. Can’t say much about the weather today – not bad but may get cold by evening. I got the figures down on paper to give to Agnes and also the tax blank came today for the Federal. After Agnes gets it figured will send you the am’t. I am not paying the bal. of ’41 as I have told you before but have bought bonds to take care of it if and when – Just paid bills and with Feb. check deposited have a balanced of a little over 200⁰⁰. There is nothing to be paid now and your next Hancock which comes in Apr. Mailed our pictures registered letter today. Found some sardines (4 cans) and if I can find two or three more will send a box. Mrs. Plummer wants to send something in this time. I saw Mrs. Tobias and she said Marvel Byfield is talking about going into some branch of service. Geo & the other brother are both in – back to finance – when your uniform money comes I will pay the Ins. loans – but can’t pay much on them unless I get the uniform money. I don’t want to get too low with the bank bal – besides our monthly bond (I have bought one for each month) and the boys each have one I bought 6 – $37⁵⁰ and that took some of that surplus. I have repeated this several times. Had the piano moved out of the den – and none too soon – after taking up the rug I noticed the floor bulged in front of the piano – evidently the piano’s weight sagged the floor where it sat. There is a definite slope to the floor now. We are all feeling good. John is practicing sax and Mark is looking at airplane model books and David is asleep. Mother piecing quilt. Boomershine is in Navy now. Lt (jg).

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/13/eight-letters-this-week-gladys/

The groundhog’s shadow (Gladys)

1943-02-03Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-3-43

Dear Daddy – If there is anything to the ground hop seeing his shadow we are realizing it today. It was clear all day yesterday (Feb. 2) and just like spring – but today it is typical of what we have had all winter – instead of now it is raining & blowing – Just finished with D. – bath, pablum, etc. He has gone to sleep with his left thumb in his mouth. 14 lbs 9 oz this a.m. The telephone rung about 8:30 and frightened him – he was asleep – I said that wouldn’t have happened if you had been home – he would be used to the telephone any and all times. Arlene and I planned to go see Lucile this P.M. and take our babies but I am sure we won’t walk if this weather continues. I mailed a valentine to you but you probably won’t get it on time. I remember last valentine day – I was a little on the nausea order. Had the flu, etc. This little fellow is worth all the discomforts. You will say so when you come home. Will get our pictures today and send out. I am getting the den floor finished – moving out the piano and making a real nursery. I am sure I can dispose of the piano if I get another one. Will inform you if and when we get one. The uniform money hasn’t come. Had a letter from Watsons – Ethel told me Mark Wayne’s grades so I’ll have to write her about J & M. Mark’s A+ in band and spelling was all he thought necessary. They got your letter and will answer with valentines. The two I got yesterday were dated Jan 26 & 27 – good time. Bank bal at present is around 300⁰⁰ but will have to pay boys ins this month. I didn’t get a Jan. bond so will have to get two this month – Haven’t a safety dep. box yet. Haven’t figured the 42 tax yet.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/07/the-groundhogs-shadow-gladys/

Helen Kline’s husband (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:
2/2/43
Dear Mother,
It seems my prophecy about v-mail has come true because Today I received your letters of Jan 17, 18 & 19 that is v-mail. Now I don’t know whether you are writing regular air mail or not but don’t discontinue it altogether. I said last night to write it at least once each week but with it coming the way it does maybe once each week won’t be enough. I know it’s asking a lot to write so much so often but you’ll never know how much those letters mean and I can’t see why you should say my letters are interesting because about all I do is fill up space while yours are very interesting to me as well as being filled with things I want to know.
This surely has been a

[page 2] winter for you and I’m sorry I missed it for I would have enjoyed it so much.
This is ground hog day and if there are any of those animals here they could have seen their shadows OK, but it has started raining again so don’t know what the remainder of the day will be like. Hope it doesn’t rain out our show tonite.
All morning long there was a haze hanging around over the mountains and the atmosphere seemed very sticky so we more or less expected rain. Even our view of the ocean wasn’t clear – seemed to remind one a little of Indian summer at home.
I ran into a navy man yesterday and we got to talking about eggs and informed me he could get us a doz. cold storage eggs for nothing so we had a

[page 3] little egg fry after the show we got a hot plate some butter and the bottom of a mess container and were those egg sandwitches with sunny side up good. They were even good to look at. Don’t misunderstand me we have enough to eat etc but it’s the way it’s cooked.
I hope by now you got the word I sent about the taxes. Just pay enough to keep me out of Jail and keep the property in our name.
I’m going to send Mark a letter and one dollar for his birthday – I wrote that yesterday so just repeating. I have had no word on the uniform money so let me know once in a while if you have heard from it.

Later – no show it is raining. This eve after chow Helen Kline’s husband came to see me of course I didn’t know him because as near as I

[page 4] can remember I had only seen him once and that was when we were living in Elmer D. property. We had quite a long conflab. He can’t disclose where he is but he is pretty sure his wife knows. In case you go to Lafayette you might call the folk and tell them he was here. Of course he probably will write them tonight also.
Got a letter from Ruth Y. and from Mom, both dated Jan 15. They gave me the low down on things around C.C.
Well, hope your sinus is better – Lots of Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/06/helen-klines-husband-roscoe/

Re-read your six letters (Gladys)

1943-02-01 #2Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S.YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-1-43

Dear Daddy – Re-read your six letters rec’d today so I could think a little better in answering. Don’t worry about the taxes. I am buying bonds – besides one each month have 6 – 37⁵⁰ – so they can be used to pay any taxes that have to be paid after the duration – but I will repeat – Agnes M. talked to a Federal man and he said not to finish the ’41 payments now – and if it has to be paid will have the bonds to take care of it. I was glad you prescribed but in case you don’t get some of my later than Jan 7 letters – I tool sulfathiazole drops – but had been taking the “diazine” and use the “thiazole” drops and I began to itch and nose was worse. I was so stopped up I could hardly breathe – I then used Glucofedrin and that opened me up – but I was careful about using drops because I knew it would irritate. Dr. Ade washed the left sinus out. I didn’t seem to get any better so quit all treatments and it seemed to leave finally. David did have a cold and I was I suppose over anxious about him but I was afraid it would develop into something serious. He is fine now. Has a coming appetite and gains an ounce or more a day. Now gets Pablum and vegetable soup – 1 can carnation – one egg yolk (dextri M & water) Vit C tablet & oleum (6 drops) every day. I tried giving him a drink of water from a cup today. I think he will learn easily. He holds on to things and rolls around in his bed, got turned around today and had his feet against the head of the bed. He won’t stay in a basket anymore. Took the bed upstairs so will have to put him on the studio couch downstairs now. Your J.A.M.A. is still coming and I save every one. I also save other medical magazines. If you don’t want them when you come back can chuck them. John & Mark are bathing. I am getting sleepy so will have to quit due to space.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/05/re-read-your-s…letters-gladys/

Six letters today (Gladys)

1943-02-01 #1Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-1-43

Dear Daddy – Six letters today and one each for J. & M. – Also the box with the cat eyes & shells. I think the cat eyes very pretty & unusual. The name is right. Mark was thrilled over the shells. John looked at them but they didn’t mean so much to him as Mark. Your letters today were in answer to some you from me and it was the kind I like to get – of course you can’t write like that until you get some to answer. We are all over our colds – so hope you haven’t spent too much time worrying over us. We did have a long siege but seems like past history now. Mother is ironing and Clara M. is doing some cleaning. I am not trying to do much but take care of David. I think that comes first and tho he is very good it takes just so much time to do all that has to be done for him – and I am a little on the ragged end after such a long sinus infection. I am feeling good but not much extra pep for doing cleaning. There has been so much smoke this winter because of the extreme cold weather everything gets so dirty. We took the rug out of the den (nursery). It was getting so worn & hard to keep clean. I am going to move the piano into the living room so the den can be David’s room. That is where we keep him most of the time and it is too crowded now. There is sunshine today after yesterdays gloom. Some thaw too. Ruthie wrote that the movies they took were good so when you come home you can see what David looked like at 3 months. Will send pictures this week – Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/03/six-letters-today-gladys/

Don’t exactly know why (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

1/31/43

Dear Mother,

This P.M. while reading a little I fell asleep and was out for almost one hour. Don’t exactly know why because I was reading one of Daymon Runynon short stories, but I will confess I don’t remember much of the story even though I did finish it.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Hasn’t rained any today as yet but the wind blows hard – we are looking forward to a show tonight to help the Eve. pass by. The name of the show is The Queen of the Yukon. Sounds very exciting.

Dr. Loop was in a short time this P.M. Just long enough to say Hello and was gone again. I thought he had gone because it had been some time since he had paid us a visit.

[page 2] Just 6 mo ago today I took my wild airplane ride across the country from Chicago to San Francisco. That was a very hard day’s ride and if you ever want to relax don’t travel so far in a plane because it is very tiresome. I really have to go back a long time to get something to write about but that’s the only way I can think of enough to write. There are lots of things I could ask about but I know you have the answers in the mail that is coming but mail coming doesn’t mean a thing – only that that is here is any good or as an old Yegerlehner saying – a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Or maybe that is somebodys else’s saying.

Dr. P. just got a Christmas greeting and a V-mail dated Dec. 26 but that doesn’t

[page 3] help very much – we still have a possibility of mail at 5 P.M. but I think there is no hope for much – but in time things will come along again I hope. Will finish later.

Well things are better – had two shows tonite, and also had mail. Your V-mail letter of Jan 12 came, air mail Jan 14 also air mail Dec. 29, Dec 26 Dec. 24. Your letter of Jan 14 wasn’t too good but I really think now that you have had that washed out it will be OK at least I hope so. I believe if that had been treated often early that wouldn’t have happened – but you can’t get that type of treatment at home unless things have changed since I left there. I truly hope and pray things are better for you now. My mail is at least 6-8 days later than others due to you writing every day. The V-mail is later than most others but this Jan. 14 is the later – keep dropping a V-mail about once each wk.

[page 4] The picture of D. was pretty good – he begins to look as if he is filling out pretty rapidly.

Most of your letters were old and the old ones told of your condition leading up to this last affair but like a continued story all your letters end in critical points. The one on Jan 8 said you were better. The V-mail of Jan 12 said one side was Ok, but the other was acting up. Yours of the 14th said you had a washing out and there is the end. I suppose the next will be 4-5 days later and it probably won’t get here for several days. So I’ll just have to wait worry & sweat until I get the next. Your suggestions about the hospital is fine and I hope you go if things are too bad. Surely someone will take care of J & M in case you have to go.

I’ll be waiting for Agnes M. letter about the taxes – do what you want. Just so you keep me out of Jail & buy bonds

[page 5] to cover the taxes. And Don’t renew the J.A.M.A. I told you that before but just in case the word didn’t get there.

Along with your mail came a V-mail from Allgoods and a Christmas greeting from Guess Who – Amel Taylor. And it was censored – wasn’t that a Joke. The only letter that has even been censored. Really I’ll write them a reply – They I think mean well but their finances are not the best so I’ll answer just to be nice.

I’ll re-read your letters tomorrow and maybe have something more to write but it is now time to turn in so I’ll say solong and hope you are better, much better, by now

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/30/dont-exactly-know-why-roscoe/

Opera about over (Gladys)

1943-01-30Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-30-43

Dear Daddy – Sat P.M. and opera about over. You know that is a “must” with John. Mark is working on a model. David is asleep – had vegetable soup today. Gave him about a tablespoon full to start with. He likes it better than Pablum but he takes it now without a howl. I went to see Jimmy Johnson yesterday. His “mama” wants him to be a perfect baby but I think Jimmy is going to be an “individualist” – such as sucking his fingers like our David does. Those things can be corrected in time and don’t worry me now. Lucile wants to get Jimmy over the 2 a.m. habit but he upsets things by waking around 4 a.m. I suppose it is natural for her to be so exacting. They had a letter from you and had me read it. You do write nice letters – they agreed with me that you do. Pat yourself on the back – Our weather is warmer and snow about gone. I was afraid it might freeze before the snow left then it would be slick again. Such a winter – hope it will soon let up, but still have Feb & Mar. I am looking forward to spring and working in the yard – if Mother will stay so I can get out. Wish we could raise a garden so we could can beans, carrots, tomatoes, etc. All those will be rationed soon and if we could can some would help. I got 8 cans of soup for D. today. Have a supply of canned milk- They say not to do that but I don’t want to risk not getting milk for him. Am glad we use Dexri-Maltose. Karo is so hard to get. We can’t get our pictures till Wed. but will send them as soon as we can. Hope you like them. The uniform money hasn’t come, if it does I’ll pay that Ins. loan. I bought 6 $50 bonds, besides the monthly 25⁰⁰ – David has 2 & J. & M. each one but will soon have another. They are buying 25¢ stamps now.

Love-Mother

©013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/29/opera-about-over-gladys/

Snow again today (Gladys)

1943-01-29Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-29-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of 1-20-43 rec’d today – Snow again today – IT keeps coming – is the soft clinging kind that makes things look picturesque. It was snowing before we got up and it keeps snowing but isn’t very deep yet. Just got the walks & drive cleaned off and now covered again. I can hardly see south or north to 41. It is that white. Such a contrast to your weather. Just had to stop and see about David. I had bathed & fed him put him in bed and he was raising a fuss. He doesn’t stay put any more. Now we have to watch him even in his bed. He gets over to the side and hangs his legs out or gets turned with his head to the side and that hurts him. He is a confirmed thumb sucker but I am not trying to break him of the habit yet. John and Mark think everything he does the smartest ever. He gets tickled sometimes when I change his clothes – must be ticklish like his Daddy. If this weather continues we will have to get some more fire wood – Not that we need the heat but we like a fire on dark days and Bill told me to get all I wanted from his wood pile. Shirley Boze and her family moved to Calif. Ann went along – Lambs bought the Boze property. Shirley was due for another baby about the time she left here. I see in the paper that Link and Mr. Webster (Music teacher) are new Rotary members. Uncle Wes’ picture was in the latest Rotarian. Dorothy White sprained her ankle and Babe Carrol is working for Dr. M. John Krull is in Camp at Atlantic City N.J. Most of the above is from the Enterprize.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/27/snow-again-today-gladys/