Tag Archives: World War II

Football Season (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
Nov. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Oct. 19, came today. It was a little old but I read it just the same. When an old letter does come it doesn’t have the kick that a late one has but they are appreciated just the same. There are a few from Oct. 10 to Oct. 20 still missing but no doubt they will be dropping in sooner or later. Also got a letter from Lentz. I had a chance to see him not long ago and he dropped me a line just to let me know how he was making out at the present time. He never did work very hard and from what I gather from his letter he is still the same.

It’s hard to realize that its football season is here or I should say almost gone. I imagine Jim got as much kick out of the football game and the hot dogs as the boys did. Mark of course would get the biggest kick of all. So Jim’s appetite hasn’t slowed down? He should try Spam, etc., for some time. If he still goes good after that he really is something. I ate so little for so long that a big meal now makes me feel all stuffed up so I just don’t eat so much but I think I’ve gained back a

[page 2] little but I didn’t take off much to start with. Just a day or two ago I weighed exactly what I did when I joined the Navy so I’m not doing so badly but I had last year about this time, gained about 15 pounds.

My regular schedule of writing to you may be broken again in a day or two but the address will be the same so think nothing of it if the letters are slow in coming to you. I’ll write as often as possible.

Another Dr. & I took a long walk this p.m. just to see the countryside and it really is beautiful. It seems to me the green of the growing vegetation here is much more vivid than at home. Maybe there is more of it. I mean less cultivated spaces and the land is more hilly or I should say mountainous and possibly the point of view is what brings out the various shades. I wish I could describe things more minutely but that isn’t possible so it’s only general descriptive terms and those don’t help in painting a word picture.

It’s bed time and good nite time so
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/18/football-season-roscoe/

Brooder House (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters for a few days – the last being of Nov. 4. It is windy and cold today. The sun is shining but I haven’t been out. After the throat & sinus treatment of yesterday thought I had better stay out of the wind. My eyes are normal again after the refraction yesterday. I am to go Fri. (19th) for recheck and another nose & throat treatment.

The Zells went to Indpls. today. Clara M. is there today working and got lunch for the girls, but they are coming here to spend the night. C. Shirk is going to take care of the brooder house stove this eve.

[page 2] It won’t be long until they will have frys to sell. They want to have them all sold by Christmas so they can go home for the holidays. The brooder house is situated so I can see the chickens from the dining room windows – John says he doesn’t care so much for them because he can taste the cod liver oil. The mash they eat is highly treated with cod liver oil. However I notice he usually eats his share when we have “hot house” chicken. There was an announcement over the radio this a.m. that farmers can butcher and sell pork without a permit to get the present supply taken care of. There is at present more than the markets can handle so I am going to try & get a hog or half to put in the locker – Portteus promised me half of one they

[page 3] were to butcher but they haven’t mentioned it recently so may have disposed of it. As yet the locker that was to be built here hasn’t gotten thru Washington yet. I owe Brand’s our present rent but didn’t want to pay a whole year if Kent’s locker will be ready soon – but it won’t be soon if the plans have to wait in Washington for approval.

I am to go to Mark’s room tomorrow to help teach the children to knit. Mark wanted me to start him last night but my vision on close work was still too blurred. Buddy had a birthday yesterday & I forgot to get him a gift so must get a “doghouse” card and a gift for Mark to take to him this evening. Buddy asked Mark to dinner tonight. He wanted to have him last night but

[page 4] they were busy in the restaurant and didn’t get around to it. They are closed from 11 to 3 p.m. & then they are usually swamped. I suppose the people who used to eat lunch at noon just wait till evening and eat an early dinner.

The wind today is blowing any loose leaves around. They cling to places like our terrace in the back. I left leaves around the shrubbery and they seem to be staying put. David is in the nursery in the play pen. He jabbers so much and manages a few words. He can say kitty, wave & say bye-bye. Has said Dada & mom mom for a long time. Has another tooth almost thru. When left alone can be good for quite a while but if he sees me wants attention.

J. & M. both fine too.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/17/brooder-house-gladys/

A Little Prejudice (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Nov. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of Oct. 28 came today and of course it was forwarded from the old place but that can be expected for some time to come.

I suppose the boys will write me all about their grades etc. You only mentioned John’s in your letters – were Mark’s too terrible? Possibly he hadn’t received his report card as of the date you wrote the letter. And I thought I was correct about the grade Mark was in but just wasn’t quite sure you see things get mixed up when a year passes by without contact. Your writing of D.’s popularity is rather consistent so he must be OK because you write about him, the folks write about him and Sis always puts in a good word for him so all those people can’t be wrong although they might be a little prejudice in his favor if you want to say it that way.

I also got a letter from one of my old buddies and he informs me that things are going about as usual at that place except some of my friends have also left

[page 2] so the changing process is still going on just like it was when I was there.

Don’t be disappointed if my mail to you is slowed down because it seems in these parts it takes mail longer than from where I was before – just one of those things which you probably have already found out and I’m sure your letters to me will also take longer. It seems v-mail is better this way and I might even try some that way but of course air-mail is still better if you can get it. It really doesn’t matter so much if mail is a little late just so it keeps coming regular.

The sun has been out most of the day and it sure does seem good to have that again even though we were very tired of the hot sun not so long ago. Some people say this is an unusual cold spell we are having at present for this time of the year at this place.

Well Dear it seems I’m at the end of the paper and you can tell I’m at the end of my subject matter so solong until tomorrow
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/16/a-little-prejudice-roscoe/

Eye Exam (Gladys)

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1943-11-16 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-16-43

Dear Daddy – Have been to Laf. today to see Dr. Ade. Had my eyes examined and he treated my nose & throat – I am still spitting. My sinus seems to be a vulnerable spot and the drainage keeps my throat irritated. My tonsils are not so good either. I am to go back Fri. for another treatment & have my eyes checked. My eyes are still blurred from the exam today. I should have written this before I went to Dr. A. It was very cold in Laf. today. My suit & top coat felt very warm & comfortable. I tried to keep out of the cold after my treatment. Alma went with me. Arlene had talked about going but then didn’t – It’s a good thing she didn’t go to see Dr. Cole – he is away at present. I think he has gone to see Don. I had intended to go see him – I had never talked to him since Mother died and wanted to get the autopsy report, but learned downtown that he was away so didn’t make the trip out to his office. Mrs. Zell stayed here with David while I went to Laf. this afternoon. The Zell girls are going to stay here tomorrow night while Zells are gone. I must quit writing – It’s too hard on my eyes.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/15/eye-exam-gladys/

Music Club (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No mail toady. The last rec’d was of Nov. 4 – The message “Greetings.” I rec’d no date on it but I presume it came a day or so after you sent it. I rec’d it one day last week.

It is grey Monday. I hung some white clothes out on the strength of sunshine visible then but now there seems to be nothing but grey clouds. There is a little wind so maybe they will dry. I hung colored clothes in the basement.

Today is Music Club and I am going to leave David at Funks. Mrs. Zell is going there to take care of Donnie & bobby. I was going to leave David at Zells but Arlene has charge of the program today & no help so Mrs. Z. is going to keep all the children at Funks. As soon as J. & M. come home from school I will have them bring David home. David is taking his morning nap at present. I bathed him and put him to bed about 10:30 and without a struggle he went to sleep.

[page 2] I think we have the furnace adjusted to this Ind. coal. It needed more air flow. I had been keeping the house at 68 but with me throat being so sensitive this fall I decided I would step the heat up to 72. The house feels much better and I feel warmer. I know that will take a little more coal but they should get more in. The strikes seem to be quieting down again. I suppose they figure this is the best time to strike and get what they are asking for. I do hope some settlement will be reached. I certainly have wished this winter we had an oil furnace but no use wishing for that now, but I think it’s worth considering later on.

We had a snow storm yesterday that lasted a few minutes – No evidence of it today. Mark is so anxious for snow & for the pond to freeze over. Last year the pond was frozen over long before Christmas – I am not wishing for such cold weather this year, but will take it if it comes.

It’s about time to get lunch ready – had to stop and bring the clothes in – raining – would have saved time and effort to hang them in basement at first – It’s now time for me to start getting ready to go to music meeting –
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/13/music-club-gladys/

News and Shorts (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just to be different another Dr. and I went into town to see a show tonite and we just glanced at the name of the show and you guessed it I had seen the thing, as near as I can recall about 6 months ago. The news and the shorts were new so I wasn’t disappointed too much. After the show we had a hamburger and a cup of coffee and then home. That was the first time in a long time that approached anything like a show at home with the refreshment after, etc.

The dew today was pretty heavy – I mean of course the rain. It never seems to rain very hard but just keeps coming – Somehow it seems to be much wetter than the rain at home. I believe the drops are smaller and penetrate more – Just a crazy way of looking at it I suppose.

Well Dear it seems that writable news and stuff is really hard to think up and I promise to do better once your mail starts coming.

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/12/news-and-shorts-roscoe/

Mother’s 71st Birthday (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and cloudy. Quite chilly out of doors. John & I took David to S.S. this morning. Brought him home, then went back to church. Mark said he had a sore throat but I couldn’t see any signs of such, but didn’t insist on him going to S.S. & church. He stayed with David while J. & I went to church. Mark didn’t have any temp and seems [to] feel fine now so he must have been “gold bricking.” He insists he didn’t feel good but now is apparently fine.

Jim sent me money for flowers to take to the cemetery – this would have been Mother’s 71st birthday. Mrs. Zell stayed at the house the day of the funeral so is going with me this afternoon to take the flowers.

My sore throat seems to be cleared and sinus not bad. I took sulfadiazine

[page 2] twenty hours and didn’t break out any. I could have taken another dose but my throat felt good and I didn’t want to take until I got a reaction. It must have been a small bug – but I believe it was starting like it did last year & I nipped in the bud (I hope). Virginia Zell also had a sore throat and was in bed yesterday. I think we were both getting it at the same time. She came over for me to help her with her knitting, then she went out & raked leaves in the cold, which didn’t do her any good – Of course, hanging out clothes Fri. didn’t help me any either. I am debating in my mind if I will hang out tomorrow if the sun shines – don’t worry, I won’t if it’s very cold.

David is playing in the nursery, Mark is in his room supposed to be modeling airplanes, John has the Sunday Symphony on and I am trying to write – you will excuse these two letters together but must confess, forgot to mail yesterdays – I have a good excuse, I had to stay in due to my throat and didn’t send the boys to town for anything in the P.M.

Here’s hoping you get both –
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/11/mothers-71st-birthday-gladys/

Second Hand News (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Nov. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail again today but each day there seems to be a little and one of these days it will be my time to receive.

I’m beginning to believe that every day is a little overcast and only once in ever soften there is a clear sun shining all day long. In fact there has only been one real fine day since I’ve arrived. There really hasn’t been enough sun shine for me to get the directions all straight. However it isn’t that hot sticky weather we used to have so I’m satisfied.

Our Radio news here are not as clear as at the last station. KWID is hard to get on the radio here. I don’t believe I told you but I sto sold my part of that radio to a fellow there because those things are really scarce in those parts. All of our news here come thru local stations and it’s more or less second hand.

There is no reason for spoiling two pieces of paper – So Solong Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/10/second-hand-news-roscoe/

Cooking Utensils (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
11-13-43

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Nov. 4 came yesterday but none today. I had a little throat bug, so in order to nip it as soon as possible went down to Dr. M. He swabbed my throat & told me to take sulfadiazine. I am allergic to sulfa at times but decided I could itch a little in order to get my throat well. So far I have taken 5 tablets & no reaction. My throat is better today but still feels scratchy. I have been lying down this afternoon because of taking the sulfa. I feel pretty good but know one should go slow when taking any kind of sulfa. This morning John stirred up a choc. Cake, a batch of oatmeal cookies and I made two pumpkin pies. I sent

[page 2] one pie to Zells. I used their cookie sheet & baking pan. The cookie sheet I have makes things burn and there is such a scarcity of cooking utensils now doubt if I could find a new cookie sheet.

Mark has gone over to Zells now to help Mr. Z. load trash on his trailer. He is going to haul for both of us. Bun Walkup was supposed to come weeks ago & haul clinkers and they have piled up now to the place we have to have them hauled. I haven’t started putting them in the furnace yet – there are so many by spring I hate to start that so soon.

Had a letter from your Mother. She had rec’d yours and told me your new address & was hoping you would see Herschel. I had written her two days ago telling her about receiving your message and she no doubt rec’d it about the time I rec’d hers. She said Carolyn had a bad throat & that Clarence was going

[page 3] to have her tonsils out in the spring. I knew when we were down there she needed something done – she has such a nasal tone.

John is listening to Notre Dame & North Western foot ball game. He understands it. He & Mark talk foot ball a lot. That being the big game here they are interested.

David is in his bed playing with his toy kitten. Trys to say kitty – does pretty good job too. The way he drools, he keeps his front wet if he doesn’t have a bib. Now he is throwing everything out of his bed. Betty Zell came over and he waved bye-bye to her. He does that sometimes. I got some Libby baby food – a combination of vegetables – pumpkin, tomatoe & green bean – believe me it doesn’t taste bad – any way he eats it. Mark took him out for a while after his dinner. It is nice & sunny, cut pretty crisp. Mark hung some things out on the line & they froze so it has to be below freezing for that.

[page 4] Mark has been planning our Thanksgiving dinner – (on your birthday). Wants us to bake a chicken and pumpkin pie. Other than that I don’t know what he has on his mind. So many people now say David looks like Mark. Mrs. Zell says he looks just like “David.” I think so too however at times I can see he looks like John, the Mark – but mostly like you.

John’s class made up a box of gifts to send to Ina May Walkup. She just returned from a hospital in Chicago where she had surgery done on her neck. Her head was drawn to one side.

I understand Bill Zimmerman had to take his physical Oct. 1 – he is still in the store – I don’t know whether he was rejected – but haven’t the “nerve” to ask them – I have an idea he was – don’t you? Bob Schurrter (ag teacher) was to have joined to Navy but he is still teaching.

I think David needs dry clothes both top & bottom so will take care of our young son.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/09/cooking-utensils-gladys/

Home from the Show (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just home from the show – The shows are all older here than previously but here we are in an enclosed building and of course the sound affects are much better. I really don’t care for shows now anymore than I did way back when but it is something to do to pass away the time – helps kill an evening as quickly as anything here.

Seems as if I’m stumped for want of something to write at the moment. There has been a little mail about each day but so far Ruth’s letter was the only one. It seems that v-mail is a little faster so you might try a few more. As I have it figure you didn’t get my corrected address until just a few days ago and all the mail in between times had to go either to my old home or to the incorrect address and then be sent on so it will probably be some time before mail gets to me.

Seems I’m repeating what I wrote a few days ago so solong
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/08/home-from-the-show-roscoe/