Tag Archives: World War II letters

Tulips Peeping Thru (Gladys)

February 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-22-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail delivery today so we didn’t score anything. It is very warm and the snow is melting – There is some left where it had drifted but it will soon be gone. The tulips are all peeping thru and some are an inch or more above the ground. I suppose it won’t hurt now. They came up some time ago during a warm spell and we covered them with leaves but the leaves were blown off. Mrs. Zell fertilized all our shrubbery in the back. Now with the snow melting and all the moisture around them they should get off to a good start this spring. I will be glad to get out in the yard again and turn the earth up and get flowers started. The house should be painted this spring – I noticed several places peeling – and it looks as dirty as several years accumulation instead of just two.

There is no school this afternoon due to Rev. McCloud’s funeral and no school Fri. P.M. due to some kind of teachers’ meeting. Mark is out in the yard “tending” David. Two of his classmates are out with him. How they can find anything amusing to do I don’t know, because I told them to keep off the grass.

February 22, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] It is so wet that if they run and play on it now they make holes, etc., and it needs care instead of destruction. I want to get some grass seed before long and sow again. I sowed a little last spring. I believe it helped some.

David loves to sit in his buggy and watch children play. By spring he will have to be put down on the ground so he can do things too. He certainly kept busy this morning doing some things I didn’t want him to do. I was ironing and he would get into things then just stand and look at me when I would tell him to get out. I could persuade him sometimes to get out, then again I would have to get up and use more personal methods. He is a tease, and I wasn’t wanting to be teased with all the ironing I had to do. He will be 17 months old tomorrow – is 32 ½” high and weighs 25 lbs.

When I started writing it was very clear and sunny and now it is getting dark and looks black in the north. I wonder if we will get a rain, snow or what. Looks like something is brewing.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday. I think I will have a surprise party for him. He is talking quite a lot about his birthday. Said he wanted another watch but I told him no because he didn’t take care of the one he had. I got him two new shirts and gave them to him and told him they were for his birthday but I really intend to get him something else.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/22/tulips-peeping-thru-gladys/

Wish I Had Some News (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 21, 1944 envelope

February 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

There was a little mail today but none for me. It was dated the same as mine was last week so really I’m ahead because mine was about 3-4 days earlier than theirs. So much for mail – we’ll hit one of these days again.

Tomorrow being Geo. Wash. birthday we are supposed to have turkey in some form. I noticed on the menu it was turkey, candy, cigarettes, etc. Of course the natives aren’t well acquainted with our holidays nor are we with theirs. As I understand their holidays come mostly on Sat. or Mon. so they can make a weekend of the whole thing. I’ve never been in on any of those affairs so I don’t know

February 21, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] how long they last. I have been to their horse races as I probably told you. It reminded me of a big over grown county fair with betting of course legalized. Yes I bet and dropped a few shillings but that helps pay the tax so I just contributed about $2.00 in round numbers. Service men get special passes to the races – all free so it was work $2.00 just to get into the place. Of course everybody takes tea along and here and there among the cars one can see many picnic lunches spread and someone getting a bucket of hot water from someplace to make tea.

The races have been cut down much since the war – now they are generally held on two successive Saturdays but before the war a full week of racing – each day.

February 21, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] You just knew it was coming someplace in the letter – you guessed it. There is nothing more to offer on the 18 mo. business. We still do a good job of talking and wondering but nothing happens.

Rosie my Jewish friend told me today it was 18 months ago today that he last saw his wife so evidently she didn’t go to the port of embarkation with him either. This is also an anniversary for me it being one year ago today that we landed in our new home. The situation sure has changed both for me and the war in general. This eve we had good fried lamb chops and last year I don’t remember but it was something prepared with a can opener or probably just a plain hunting knife because I don’t remember having a huntin can opener.

February 21, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] The radio is just now blasting out with “My Old Ky Home.” Last night we were able to get Jack Benny – That was the first time I’d heard him in a long time. Possibly you have heard the program. Jack it seemed had purchased a swimming pool and the whole episode was about that.

Yesterday and today have been two of the hottest days we have had. I think I mentioned in yesterday’s note about the heat. Maybe I’m just used to being out of the tropics and am a little used to cooler weather – anyway it’s been warm.

Well Dear I sure wish I had some news for you about the 18 mo. I’m really getting the urge to get out of this place and of course the urge is in the direction of Indiana –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/21/wish-i-had-some-news-roscoe/

Slip of a Letter (Roscoe)

2 Replies

February 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sunday

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday I’ll just slip this in with Sat. letter. The two heavy sheets of paper of yesterday’s letter make almost enough for on letter’s worth but this small bit shouldn’t make any difference.

Since there isn’t anything to write about but the weather will start out by saying it was a little cloudy todo this A.M. and cleared later in the day and was I believe one of the warmest days I’ve seen. Really it was warm enough to go to the seashore but it’s too far to walk hence I didn’t go. We do have a river fairly near but it’s too cold most of the time and there are too many big rocks which makes it too hard on the feet.

Well, my space is short and subject matter is shorter – so solong.
Love Daddy

February 20, 1944 envelope

Meanwhile, likely unbeknownst to Roscoe, new orders were being written…..

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/20/slip-of-a-letter-roscoe/

Death of Rev. McCloud (Gladys)

1 Reply

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-20-44

Dear Daddy –

Another wintry Sunday P.M. I was going to take David out for a walk but a fine snow is coming down – so fine it is almost a rain, so unless it lets up we will stay in or go in the car. I thought we might go out to the greenhouse. Rev. McCloud died yesterday and I would like to send flowers. Rev. McCloud suffered a heart attack last week and I understood he would have to be in bed for sometime but he was up getting his breakfast yesterday morning when he died. As active as he had always been I never thought about him having heart trouble. He used to play tennis every summer –

The snowing stopped so I walked for a while with David & Mark then we came back and went out to the green house and ordered flowers to send to McClouds. Then we stopped at Plummers. Mr. P. was in bed – had been sick with near pneumonia. They won’t get to go to Fla., because they were to go about the time he got sick a week ago, and he isn’t able to be up yet. I think Mrs. P. is rather disappointed because they can’t go. She has been working pretty hard since he has been down, taking care of the chickens, furnace, etc. Then they got a quarter of beef and she canned it. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas eve and didn’t know about Mr. P. being ill. I thought

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] they would be in Fla., but saw the flowers in the window so knew they were home.

We came back home and listened to the radio all evening. David Diedam came about 7 P.M. and played with Mark a while. Mrs. Z. came over and invited us to eat fried chicken with them tomorrow evening. They have kept chicken in their refrigerator since the middle of Jan. We had baked chicken today that we put in the locker almost a year ago.

Mon. A.M. Yours of Feb. 8 & 9 came today. Had a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Had to call Mr. Monroe – The leak was from the flush box. It had run out on the floor and soaked down on the ceiling in the dining room before I discovered it but it is fixed now and not much damage done. The other side of the dining room ceiling has water marks from the bath tub. I hope to get some painting done this spring & cover the water marks.

It is nice out today. Sun shining and snow melting. I want to take David out after he wakes from his nap. He was a little busy body this morning. Wouldn’t stay put anyplace – just kept going from one thing to another, getting into things he knows he should stay out of. He is beginning to talk more. When he wants to do something to get attention, he gets your picture and says “Da.” He knows he won’t get scolded

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for that. He has been saying Ma-Ma the last two days. We are trying to get him to say mother. He can say John & Mark, not quite plain, but we know what he is saying. I have to keep the bathroom door closed (downstairs) to keep him from playing at the lavatory. He climbs up on the clothes hamper and does things.

Irene borrowed some coffee this morning – Said her mother is away but I didn’t ask any questions. I suppose she has gone to Ft. Wayne to stay with Margaret. Irene isn’t working now – Dorothy said Irene was to rest a month before she goes back to work. I can’t imagine Irene staying home and doing hum drum house work. Not that it is that to me – but I am geared differently from Irene. I imagine she will return to the factory.

I have been wondering what the men getting married in foreign lands will do about their wives when they are ordered back to the States. Will Bob be able to bring his bride back with him if he is sent back here before the war is over? He won’t mind staying down there now but what a situation to be ordered back here soon and have to leave his wife. Of course it isn’t any worse than your situation but it would seem a little ironical if he got traveling orders now when that is what you want. I think I hear little David getting awake.

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I knitted a suit for James L. – I want to get it mailed today. I wanted to send it for his birthday which was in Jan., but I didn’t get it started in time. I made this suit in dark blue. I want to make one for David in red. He still has dark brown hair and his eyes are so dark they almost look black, so he should wear red. D. & Jimmy make a good contrast. Jimmy is so fair and his hair is so blond it is almost white.

–Pause to take D. up and set him on the toidey – it worked – saved a diaper. He is busy now playing with a box – much more interesting than a toy – Toys are something to throw down and leave on the floor while a good box is playing with.

I am afraid this letter has been rather jumbled, but I started on it so many times & I didn’t have a very good train of thoughts any time I started.

I want to start planning flower gardens for spring. I haven’t thought much yet about a vegetable garden. It is nice to have vegetables all summer but almost more work than I care about. If the boys could carry on without my supervision, but they couldn’t last year. John doesn’t like gardening and Mark won’t work consistently unless he has someone with him all the time – It is almost compared to getting blood out of a turnip – except that he can work but doesn’t care to.

Love – Mother

: February 20 & 21, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 20 & 21, 1944 (envelope back)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/19/death-of-rev-mccloud-gladys/ ‎

Allergic to Such Procedure (Roscoe)

2 Replies

February 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

I turned two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to Mulligan this AM. He seems very glad to get them and I suppose he really gets a bigger kick out of them than I because he knows so many more of the boys than I. The Beagley boys’ pictures were in the paper this week and I didn’t know either of them.

I did know the Rowe boy. I remember I was called out to see him once upon a time and while there he told me he was trying to get into the Air Corps. Many of the letters however are from various boys that I don’t know.

I never did write Marg. and give her the necessary statement for her files in order that she keep sending it so I’ll just save some space at the bottom of this letter and write some sort of a line and you can send it down to her. I think I’ve thanked Boonie. If you see him thank him again. I’m afraid if I write any kind of a note it will be printed in the paper and I’m allergic to any such procedure – you understand I think.

February 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] This is before mail time but I don’t hold much hopes for any mail today for we have been treated very well lately dow even down to the papers and now we will probably have to wait for days again. I hate to think of that but that is the way it’s been going lately.

By way of repeat – several days ago I sent Mark a M.O. for his birthday. I just looked at the calendar and see that his birthday is just a week away and that made me think of the M.O. again.

The radio in the rumpus room is going full blast and it’s almost interfering with my thought processes – You will say it has altogether gotten the best of my thought processes from this letter. I’ll try to do better next time –

So Solong
Love Daddy

This is to certify that I wish to receive the Kentland Democrat.
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR

[Editor’s Note: From the Kentland Centennial book (which was published in 1960) regarding the Kentland Democrat, ” During World War II, Mrs. Margaret (Steinbaugh) Carlson operated the paper and lightened the hearts of many a serviceman with her column “To You In Service.” During this period, the paper was sent to every boy in this community that was in the Armed Forces. Local merchants, particularly Otto Boone and Geo. Tilton, underwrote the cost of this project. Mr. Boone still prizes the numerous letters of appreciation he received from the servicemen.”]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/18/allergic-to-such-procedure-roscoe/

Continued (Gladys)

2 Replies

February 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sat. Afternoon

Dear Daddy – to continue with the letter I wrote last nite after I came home from the class party. Susan Clark has measles. She went to school long enough to expose the first grade when she was about ready to break out. I thought last year’s epidemic took care of measles for a few years but maybe David won’t get them. The immune globulin we gave him last year was for six months so if he is exposed will probably have them. I haven’t had him out in crowds lately so hope he hasn’t had an exposure. John is a little worried about himself. He says he supposes he should have them before he is grown but doesn’t want them now.

Helen (Kline) and her husband Dan Heindel (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)

Helen (Kline) and her husband Dan Heindel, 1942 (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)

I saw Helen Heindle yesterday. She is taking her children to Calif., so evidently she is expecting Dan to reach the States next month. She says she is going to be there to greet him when he gets in – however she didn’t say anything specific about when she expects him. I would like to do that too but think we had better stay here until we find out where you will be sent when you get back.

We got more coal this a.m. – from Harlans this time and it is much better than what we got from the Lbr. Co. Monday. If

February 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Chet V. hadn’t said it was Ky. Coal and charged me for same I would have said what he sent was a poor grade of Ind. coal. This load is much cleaner. There wasn’t any dirt I could notice from the unloading. If you didn’t get my letter about the other the whole basement was black from what we got Monday. We have about 4 ½ tons now and won’t have to have any more put in for a while. However as hard as it is to get I think it’s a good idea to get a ton or so when we can.

It has continued cold. We had a little warm spell for a day or so and the snow started to melt then the temp dropped to a little above zero and the streets are very rough from the frozen slush. This snow has been on for more than a week.

A week from today is Mark’s birthday. He is telling me what he wants. In Laf. yesterday I got John a new corduroy cap and that is just what Mark wants. John lost a cap at school so had to have another.

Dorothy told me she went to Billings with Marie Steinbaugh. She goes regularly for X rays checks. She has a spot on her lung that is supposed to be from the cancer on her breast. Doroty said the Dr. said Marie’s case is 35% curable. Marie took X-Ray treatments at St. E. after her operation and the X-Ray supposedly scattered or rather drove the cancer in – that is Dorothy’s interpretation. She as a bad heart, too.

Love Mother

: February 19, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 19, 1944 (envelope back)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/17/continued-gladys/

Something of Interest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 18, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 18, 1944, p. 1

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this at about 10 PM. Had the duty today and went to see the show “Bambi” and now that I have settled down – got a coke before me and after having read the Kentland Democrat and Newton Co. E., the only mail today, maybe I can write something of interest I hope.

I now have two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to pass along to Mulligan. I’ve been giving him a pretty good supply in the past week.

I just happened to think – In one of your letters not so long ago

February 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] you mentioned that the Lontz boy was still in N.C. I feel sorry for him – staying in that one awful place for so long. It isn’t so bad there but it sure would get under my skin to not move around more than that. Of course I could settle in one place in the U.S.A. but if I have to be out I’d I sure like to be moving. No moss for me and you know – the rolling stone. Maybe that doesn’t sound like me and it really wasn’t like me there but things are different here.

I think one time several months ago I wrote a letter using appreciation as the basis. That increases as time goes along. I believe I appreciate you, family, and home more now than ever. The two years away have certainly been long

February 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and cruel but they certainly have served a purpose in so far as bringing out the appreciation for you, home & friends. Maybe I’m all wet but had I been home all this time I believe we would have appreciated each other less than at present.

Maybe the above all sounds silly but I sure don’t mean it that way. It’s really hard to put into a letter just how one really does feel at least it’s hard for me to do so.

I guess you really put me in the Dog House with our neighbor Zell. It seems you at some time or other mentioned to him how I felt about County Agents who didn’t take their trade too seriously and he doubted if he were in the “good grace” of our family especially me. Just

February 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] how strong did you make it? I still think I’m a little right about one of them who ran for the good old Earth when he felt it would keep him from Uncle Sam’s army. Too good to be a farmer at one time, but too fine when it isn’t serving too much of a purpose. That may sound silly also but I did have a point to make. And please explain to Mr. Zell that it’s not his profession in general but only the exceptions. I know he was just kidding and I got a kick out of the whole affair – Just as I hope you do out of the question I asked at the top of this page.

Dear it’s my bed time so good night
Love Daddy

Purdue Music Hall (Gladys)

2 Replies

: February 18, 1944, p. 1

: February 18, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-18-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 7 came today. This has been a full day. I took John and four other 8^th graders to Purdue Music Hall to hear the Indpls Symphony Orchestra. It was a special children’s concert and well attended by school around Lafayette. After the concert we went over to Laf. and shopped. Lucile kept David and I was to get Jimmy a pr. of shoes, since Lucile stayed home. I went to every store I could think of and finally got two pr. of white shoes – one pr. for D. One pr. was too large for D. and the other is the same size that he is wearing now and the new shoes are 5 and his present shoes are 4 ½. Both pr. I bought today were 5’s and one pr. is a size or more larger than the other. Lucile kept the larger pair and if she decides they are too large for Jimmy now will keep them for later. It is so hard to find white baby shoes now it’s best to hang on to a pr. once you have them. Some of the stores had brown shoes and some places had none at all. I also tried to get some material to make David some play suits and found nothing I cared to work on. Cotton is being used for the Army and Navy so extensively

[page 2] there is very little for civilian use. I tried to buy sheets today but none to be had. I did get some new dishes but couldn’t get at all what I wanted. However what I got is nice and will break as easily for me as the more expensive. After shopping we started back to Kent a little past 5 P.M. I distributed our passengers to their several stopping places then John & I stopped at Johnsons to get David & Mark. The Johnsons were having dinner and asked us to eat so John & I ate our supper there too. After trying baby shoes on both boys we gathered our several belongings and came home. I gave David his bath and he got happy and started to splash water and by the time he got thru I had to mop the kitchen. I was hurrying because I wanted to go to the Class meeting at Nesbitts – and in walked Floyd. He was on his way home from a meeting in Chicago. He said he is about ready to quit the Co. He talked a while then went down to Nick’s for a steak.

I used a little cold cream & powder then dashed off to the party. I came home about 11 o’clock and having eaten refreshments thought I could write a while to let my lunch settle. Now I don’t go this pace every day, but there are days like this. I noticed at the party that Evelyn Beekman is about ready to have another baby – her last one is younger than David. I’ll write another letter tomorrow & mail together.

Not Expecting Mail Today (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: February 17, 1944 envelope

: February 17, 1944, p. 1

: February 17, 1944, p. 2

: February 17, 1944, p. 3

: February 17, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m really not expecting any mail today so I’ll write early. If mail does come it will be a huge surprise since we have been treated so kindly in that respect in the past few days.

You mentioned in your letter about talking to Mrs. R. on the phone and that Joe had begun to doubt the 18 mo. Well you know what I’ve said all along however some say that that is 18 mo. counted from the landing time out here. If that be the case mine will be up on Mar. 1. Which isn’t very far away – but there are

[page 2] a few here now past due so it’s a good talking point even tho it so far hasn’t been too much of an actual fact. I know personally 3 Drs. who have gone back after 18 mo. but I know several more than that who have more than that right now – so draw your own conclusions and keep fingers crossed, chin up and stuff.

We each have a mirror in our room about 15 in. by 20 in. and somehow it seems to be fashion to stick pictures around the edge of the mirror. I have 5 of D., 3 of you and one each of John & Mark. That is a little misleading about D. In 3 of those 5 you also appear. I also have two of the house. One in summer and one in winter. It’s just a fad but

[page 3] I sorta like it pretty much. One of yours is an old one where you are standing by the front door with your new coat. Another is where you are holding D. on the front step and the other is where you are down beside the baby buggy with only D.’s head sticking out – he is on his stomach. The others are just pictures of the boys. I think I’ll keep changing them from time to time because there are more good pictures that those in my picture collection.

– Got my laundry back today. One khaki shirt, one pair of pants, 5 underware trunks and 4 handkerchiefs 6/6. In round numbers very near $1.10. A little high but I guess I can stand it now and then. The trunks we are nice and white

[page 4] so next week I’ll send the most yellow of the bunch again. Another thing that is a little confusing here is their unit of weight. A stone – a stone is 14 pounds. In other words I weigh 10 stone 9 pounds. When we were on our trip we wanted to fly a part of the way and were allowed so many stones of weight instead of pounds. Their scales read in stones and pounds – which to me is a lot of confusion but I guess they don’t mind.

It is now 2:30 and the New Zealanders who are working on the lawn have dropped tools and on their way to tea. They will all be back in about ½ hour – seems funny but I gues they like it.

Well, I guess I’ve wandered far enough –
Love Daddy

P.S. a letter came from Mr. Zell

A Variety of News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 17, 1944 envelope front

: February 17, 1944 envelope back

: February 17, 1944, p. 1

: February 17, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 17, 1944, p. 4

: February 17, 1944, p. 5

: February 17, 1944, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-17-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 5 & 6 came today. Also had a letter from Ruthie, wanting your address. Seems Glenn has been ill with a topical fever, temp being 108. Ruthie wants to ask you if you know anything about Dengue fever. Ruthie says they won’t go to Ga. This year as Floyd thought they might. He isn’t so sold on his job as he used to be. He feels like he gets kicked about too much. Of course if he was in the Army he might be glad to get back to his job. I am not the one to judge but so far Floyd has had rather smooth sailing in his young life. Last summer he had to do a lot of heavy work and things he thought was a little below him but I still think he has a better

[page 2] job with more possibilities than school teaching.

I mentioned before about the Yost-Barce wedding. It was last Sat. They went to St. Louis to be married – why I don’t know. Maybe some of the family live there. I didn’t recognize any of the names mentioned of the places they visited. A Mr. & Mrs. Kerlin were attendants and Mr. & Mrs. Wood gave a dinner for them. They are to return home after a week’s honeymoon. I understand Paul will have to return to Panama.

I see in the paper that Mr. Hartley died – from complications due to a fall. You remember him – lived across the street from us at 2 & Carrol.

Lucile came out with Jimmy this afternoon. We both decided as smart as Jimmy and David are about everything else they should tell their mothers when

[page 3] they have a toidey – but neither one will. Lucile put panties on J. this morning and he had a B.M. in panties – She had to give him a bath he was in such a mess. She is going to keep D. tomorrow while I am gone. I promised John to take him to Purdue to hear the Indpls. Symphony orchestra. Lucile won’t get much done but change diapers, etc. I asked her how a person would train twins. She said Ed asked her if she didn’t want another baby. She said not for a while. She is going to sell the baby buggy she had for Jimmy. She has a little Reed stroller she used now. She says she hopes she won’t need another buggy until after the war, and by that time can buy another.

David eats a cookie now & then. He knows the cookie jar (Dorothy gave me one for Christmas).

[page 4] and when he wants one goes to the jar and tries to say cookie – what it sounds like is kee, but we know what he means. He knows so much about what we day around him, we spell some things. Never say “go” unless you are ready to take him out.

I stopped to glance thru the Dem. to get some news that might be of interest to you but didn’t see much.

I have heard the Great Lakes Training School is to be closed. Also Camp Atterbury. I suppose those places have served their purposes and there is no further need for them. Jim said in his last letter they weren’t getting any more Seebees to train. There is a campaign on the radio now to get new W.A.V.E. enlistments. So many of the programs bring a Wave character into their sketches to give a pep talk. There have been campaigns for the other women’s organizations from time to time

[page 5] Several girls from here are in the W.A.C.S. and a few nurses are in service but I don’t believe there is a large percentage. Catherine Ade is in the Marines. I think most of the girls around town are still at their jobs in offices or factory. With so many men gong from here all the time the girls almost have to stay. I heard over the radio about a certain town in Ill. that had a custom. I should say leap year custom, when on the 29^th of Feb. the women took over the government of the city and of course their object was to arrest eligible bachelors, fining them with dates, etc., but this year they won’t follow this custom, reason: “they are either too young or too old.” There is a current popular song bearing that title I thought was rather cute. I suppose you have heard it some time or other,

[page 6] but in case you haven’t – it’s a girl telling her boyfriend she will be true to him because as the title says, those left at home are either too young or too old.

Mark worked his Arith. at school and brought it home for me to check and has been pestering me all evening to check it, so to get some rest from him I had better check his problems. Arith. Isn’t one of his easy subjects, and he won’t work on it any longer than he absolutely has to. He is working in fractions now and they baffle him somewhat. I wish I could get him to spend more time on homework but when he gets thru with what the teacher has assigned – that’s all.

John is working at the piano, and I have another letter to write if I can keep my mind off the music.
Love Mother