Monday, May 31, 2010

Letter # 37 May 31, 1943

May 31, 1943
Monday eve.
Hi Tootsie Wuggles.
I came back from my Lake Charles trip to a swell surprise. There was a nice big box under my bunk. One of the boys that hadn't gone on the trip had gotten the box and left it for me. There were also several letters and birthday cards tucked under the mattress. I opened the box, dug through the paper and found a swell birthday cake. It was in as good shape as when you sent it. I held up the cake and said, " Boys we sure did all right this time". That was the wrong thing to say. That cake just melted and we even licked up the crumbs. The boys wanted to know if my sister-in-law was married yet. I didn't give you credit for this cake, but as you say, know you could duplicate it any time you wanted to. Tell Tib thanks an awful lot. It tasted swell, also for the rest, if she sent it all. The way the laundry has been loosing my clothes they will be very handy and, of course, the cigarettes are always welcome, more so at this time of the mo. Thanks.
I kept on digging in the box and found a very nice card from my darling wife. That would have been a sweet enough card without the $5.00. You're an old devil but I can't help loving you. You're so sweet and thoughtful. Don't worry I'll use the money for something. You say I'm hard to get anything for but I think you did a swell job. I had more fun opening that box than any present I have ever received.
You're a darling. You know I have another confession. I really choked up for a minute after I opened that package. You are so sweet and thoughtful of me. Hope I'm good enough to deserve it. I never thought anything would mean as much to me as you do.
I also got birthday cards from Ma & Hazel, and Art and Marg.
I haven't had time to write that letter to Jim as yet but I'll get it sometime. I'm way behind in my writing since I was gone over the weekend.
I had my first day of mechanics school today and it seems like it would be very interesting. We have classes from 8-10 in the morning and then go to the shop for actual experience. Carl Wacker is also going to the same school.
I haven't time to write any more tonight. I'll do better some other time. I just had to write a note of appreciation for the gifts. The news from this end can wait till next time. I love you honey. You're so sweet. I'll sure owe you a big debt of love and gratitude. Night honey, I'm loving you.
your hubby.
Norm

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Letter # 36, May 30,1943

May 30, 1943
Sun Morn. 9 A.M.
Hi Honey Darling.
I'm still safe and sound and the wickedness of the big city still hasn't got me. Leo has gone in to church, he is a good Catholic, and pagan that I am, I am staying in camp writing a letter to my honey. I suppose tonight will be a workout for you.
We didn't go swimming yesterday, couldn't rent a suit anywhere, so we went to town about 10 A.M. and just looked around until noon, ate, and then went to two shows. Imagine me going to three shows in two days, but I enjoyed it. I hadn't seen a regular show since I left home. After the shows we walked the streets for a while observing everything that passed us and then about 9 P.M. we came back to camp. We had the camp practically to ourselves until 3 this morning when the boys started straggling in. A lot of them had gotten rooms in town and didn't come back to camp either night. They really go on a spree if they have the money. Can't blame them much, there isn't much to do in town, but go to a show or a beer joint which is where most of them ended up. A lot of big heads in camp this morning.
Leo and I being alone in out tent when we got back last night, sat and talked for quite a while. He really is in a quandary about what to do. They had planned to be married this June as soon as school let out and were going on a honeymoon in Colorado. I told him that was where we had really wanted to go but it was too far. He lives about 100 miles northwest of Omaha so it is only about 700 miles to the Rockies. I don't blame him for being disgusted at the war for breaking that up. He has spent the last four summers working in a rubber factory in Denver. Gates Rubber Belt Co where we bought all the belts we sold at the store. On weekends he had traveled all over Colorado and knows a lot of the places I do, so we had quite a bull session. He talks like they might possibly get married when she comes down. I couldn't advise him. It's a tough proposition. If this camp wasn't so far from everything and wasn't a combat unit it wouldn't be bad. In this outfit even the top sargents can't live off the post very much of the time. He'll just have to figure it out for himself.
I'm glad I've got my honey all tied up and don't have that to worry about. It's bad enough to be taken away from you without having all those other problems to solve. I love you honey and while I saw some nice girls I still wouldn't trade you for any of them. That's saying quite a little because they are here and you aren't but I mean it. You're the only one for me.
I thought it was plenty hot up at camp but it is worse down here. It seems to be so damp and sultry. My clothes haven't dried out even at night since I've been here. It has rained a nice shower all three days and they say it is a regular occurrence. It is only about 20 feet above sea level and only about 30 miles from the Gulf. the natives don't seem to mind it. Don't even sweat and look cool as cucumbers. I don't see how they do it.
I did very well on my spending money. Including $2.00 I spent for clothes I only spent $6.50 so you see I couldn't have gotten very drunk. I only had four beers and did the rest of my spending on meals, ice cream, and milk. The shows only cost 22 cents a ticket for soldiers, but cigarettes are 21 cents a pack in town. This is one of these war boom towns, normal population only about 1/3 of the number here now, between 70 & 75 thousand at present. I think it would be a swell town in normal times.
The army says we are now real soldiers and not rookies anymore. We have had our first divisional parade and been on our first 3 day leave. I don't know if that makes us soldiers or not but they say so.
I haven't written to anyone else this weekend. I may have time sometime during the week. If I don't I'll do it next Sunday. I've had my fling for a few weeks and will probably stay in camp for a while again.
Well honey I guess I'll have to close and go get my truck ready to move. We leave here at 1 P.M. for camp. This isn't much of a letter. I'll try to do better next time. Here's to the time when we'll be together again honey. You can't possibly realize how much I love you.
Your soldier
Norm

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Letter # 35 May 29, 1943

May 29, 1943
Sat morn.
7 A.M.
Hello Honey,
Here I am down in Lake Charles. We are quartered in 6 man tents with electric lights and concrete floors. The sides are covered with screen and even have a screen door. Good thing too. The mosquitoes are really bad down here. The lake is only about 1/2 mile away. I am sitting in front of the tent waiting for breakfast and writing this. We had a very nice uneventful trip down. Got here about noon. Seems like a long time to cover the distance, but convoys don't move very fast. 22 miles an hour is the pace set at the head of the column. There were some nice stretches of scenery and some not so nice. There are great areas where the forest has been cut off and burned over and there is nothing but an area of burned stumps left. In other places they have replanted the forest and the trees are now 25 or 30 feet tall. There is very little farm land and very few homes or shacks. I did see half a dozen or so fairly nice farm homes and the crops on these looked good. Corn shoulder high and nearly ready to ear out. Also some orchards that I can't name.
The best scenery is along the Calcasieu River. It is a river as large as the Hudson where we crossed it on our honeymoon. Remember honey? It's banks are lined with big live oaks, cypress, and pine and all the trees are covered with Spanish moss. Very beautiful.
Lake Charles is a nice city of about 20,000 people. That is just my guess on population, I don't have any figure. There are some beautiful homes with well kept, shady lawns, some with palm trees just like pictures you see of southern homes.
After 8 weeks in an army camp maybe you think it didn't look good to see civilization again. Seeing other people at home with their wives and families nearly made me homesick. I sure did miss having you with me honey. It just doesn't seem like a vacation without you. You must be an inseperable part of me anymore. I love you honey.
Here I am having my regular Decoration Day trip and you are at home working. As I said before, this army business is harder on you than on me. I'm sorry honey, but I guess it can't be helped.
It's trying to rain just now as you can see from the spots on the paper. We had a shower yesterday also, just enough to settle the dust and cool it off a little. From 105 degrees to 99 degrees. Rather cool don't you think? The funny part is I don't mind the heat nearly as much as at first. I am always dripping sweat and can't keep my clothes dry but it doesn't oppress me like it did.
When I stepped on the scales yesterday I found the reason. I have sweat off all my excess and am nearly back to where I was when we were just becoming lovers. I now weigh 179 lbs. You aren't the only one that is loosing weight. I'll even be able to wear my clothes again. Don't be alarmed. I am feeling swell and as long as I'm in this hot climate I hope I do stay light. It's a lot easier to take the heat.
Leo, Norm Rahill and I stayed together and had a very nice time. Had a few beers and looked the town, and the girls, over in the afternoon. Had supper in town and went to a show. "The Imortal Sargent", very good, and then had another bite to eat and headed back for camp. We walked when we went in and then walked home. It's only about 2 miles to town. It reminded me a lot of Put-in-Bay last year, walking to town and everywhere we want to go. Only one thing missing and that's you. You're a nice thing to have along on a picnic as Louise would say.
As soon as it stops raining Leo and I are going to go swimming if we can rent a suit. I was going to buy one but the cheapest I could find was $3.00 so I didn't buy one. Send me my trunks will you honey? Then if I ever get to another place to swim I'll have my own trunks.
I bought a couple sets of underwear and some socks and the salesgirl tried to get a date with me. I wasn't interested. She was one of the type. I did see a lot of nice looking girls for a change. Now I can see where they have a reason to talk of southern belles. I saw one going down the street ahead of me that gave me a thrill all up and down. From the rear she was the exact picture of you. I even hurried to get a look at her face to make sure. She wasn't as nice from the front, but not so bad either.
Leo and I are the only ones that seem to have any money so we are bankers for the crowd. I loaned Norm $10.00 and two others $5.00 apiece, so even if I get reckless I can't spend all my money. We will have a payday soon and then the boys will be rich for a few days again.
Leo's girlfriend is coming down in a couple weeks and he's chewing his nails off trying to figure what he is going to do with her and when he is going to have time to see her. It's really a problem down here. It's farther to DeRidder than I thought, nearly 28 miles and as she can't drive her own car down because of gas and bus service is so crowded he is afraid he won't be able to see her more than one day. He's about right too.
Well honey, guess we'll go out and look around some more. Wish you were here with me. We'd have fun. I love you more all the time. 'Bye honey. I'll write again.
your hubby,
Norm

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Letter # 34 May 27, 1943

May 27, 1943
Thurs eve
Hi Honey.
I did very well today. Three letters from my darling wife all at once. Your Sat, Sun, and Monday letters. I retired to the latrine and sat me down to read in comfort. Remember how I used to read the funnies in the same position. I like to read my letters there now.
Glad you aren't finding the lawn too much for you. As for which way you mow it, it doesn't make any difference. I bet my Jack-in-the-Pulpit gets bigger than yours. Why call the tulips mine? They are yours. I just planted them for you while you slept, you devil. Did only two of them come up? You spoke of your Pussy-willow being ready to plant. Remember where we put the one last year? Did it come out this spring or did it die? That would probably be a good place to plant the new one. They will get a good start and then we can transplant them. I wish I could be there to pace around and look at everything. I bet I wouldn't get much but you looked at for a while. I might even hold your hand while I paced around. I love you, you old devil.
Well Jr's not passing will leave you one man in the neighborhood to take care of you. It's rather ironic that after all the trying to stay out, the army didn't want him after all. I rather thought that would be the outcome all the time.
I had a letter from Carl and he says if we want him to do anything, just let him know. John says the same so if you get stuck call on them. Did you come out better on the electric bill this month? If you want the heater turned down call
Carl. It's only 5 minutes work and he can do it on the way home from work. How are you doing on the gasoline, tire and car situation?
So John, the little stinker, is running out on Harold. I feel sorry for Harold. He really stuck his neck out when he took that job. I hope he can get some good help, but I suppose that is nearly impossible. He'll just have to do like you at the diner. Close it part of the time so he can have time to get his merchandise in shape.
I was rather surprised to hear that Kenny's wife is coming down here to live. It may be all right for them but in our case I don't think it would work very well. I'm not thinking of the house when I say that either, I'm thinking of you. You could find plenty of work and some place to stay and I know you could do something with the home but here is where the rub comes. I know I couldn't see you more than once during the week and I probably could see you nearly every Sat night and Sun as things stand now, but in the army everything is so uncertain that you might just get here and I would leave and then you would either have to follow or go back to your folks. That is the smallest reason why I don't think it advisable. Here is the biggest reason against it as I see it: You were never the kind of person that could go away from home and be happy. If I could be with you every night or even be sure of being with you two or three evenings and on weekends you might manage to get along without being too homesick. But imagine yourself down here among strangers and me not being able to see you more than weekends and there will be times when we are out when I won't even be in on weekends. If I could manage to see you during the week I would have to be back at camp by 11 P.M. So you can see what it would be like for you. Believe me, I would really love to have you here, but nice as it would be for me, the price you would pay, homesickness and lonesomeness, would be way too high to justify my wanting you to do it. I would be getting the lion's share of enjoyment and you would have the tough end. I know you want to see me as much as I want to see you. But for your sake I wouldn't advise it. It might even lead to trouble between us. I'm not kidding. I know you and can realize how hard it would be for you to be so far away from all your friends. I couldn't see you nearly enough to compensate. Remember you nearly got homesick on our honeymoon and I was with you all the time.
If you should decide against my advice be sure to talk it over with your folks first.
From the sound of things I am fairly sure of a furlough in the fall or maybe before. If that doesn't happen, then if you can I would like to have you here for a couple weeks and I could by that time, probably arrange to live off the post part of the time. Much as I hate to have it this way, it is my advice for the present. However, the final decision lies with you. You are a 50-50 partner in this marriage you know and whatever you do is OK with me.
You talk of taking a shower. That brings back memories. Remember how I liked to hug you from the back and play with your bubbles and then the old "thing" would get mad and you would run upstairs. It bothers me to think of it. Me a two month virgin. Bet I could really go to town if I caught you under the shower now. I love you honey. This letter wouldn't pass the Hayes censor but I can't talk to you any other way so damn it all I'll write what I want to.
I told you of our job classifications the other day and that I might be able to change mine. Well I did. I am starting to mechanics school Monday, but it is here at camp. I go to school Mon, Wed, & Friday and spend the other three days getting any advanced combat training with the company. I guess I was rather lucky. There are only about 35 men from this company that are going to schools. Only 3 mechanics. I couldn't see any reason to be in supply. I wanted to learn another trade that might someday come in handy. I've got to be able to work at something to take care of my honey when this is over. I think it will be swell training and is something I like. I'm rather tickled.
I don't know how long the school lasts or exactly what it may lead to but I'll find out after I'm in it.
Leo asked to be reclassified but hasn't been as yet. He may be used as teacher for some of the illiterate. There are quite a few that are unable to read or write.
So you haven't forgotten the old man's birthday. Good for you and Tib. I'm getting nearly as bad as you. I like to get little surprise boxes from you. Wish I could send you some also but I haven't gotten anyplace to buy anything and beside I'm trying to save my money so I can send myself home if I get the chance. I won't be able to save much of my pay so I'm sticking to what I have.
I'm leaving camp for the first time tomorrow and staying out until Sunday evening. That doesn't sound much like saving my money but it won't cost much. The army is taking a convoy to Lake Charles and furnishes eats and lodging. So all I have to spend is what I want to. Leo and Norman Rahill are going in my truck. I say mine because I have been picked for driver. We pull out at 8 in the morning. There are about 40 of us going from this company and probably the same number form the rest of the companies in the 80th A.R. It will make quite a convoy.
We will probably be put up in 6 man tents but we are taking our field packs in case there isn't room enough and in that case some of us will bivouac. We are to be on our own nearly all the time, so we ought to have fun.
Here is a little incident Leo advised me not to tell you about but it strikes me funny so I'm going to tell you anyhow.
The army insists that each man leaving camp carry a package of rubbers, [not for the feet] and some disease preventive dope. So here I go to town armed for anything, but with no intentions. I still firmly believe I can't be tempted as long as I have you. These girls must not have what it takes, or I have slipped or you are so much better than the rest of the girls that they don't even bother me. I think it's the latter. You're a sweet thing and I love you a lot.
It's nearly bedtime so I'll close. If I can take time out from seeing the sights I'll write from Lake Charles.
Good night honey darling. I love you like hell.
your loving hubby.
Norm

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Letter # 33, May 25, 1943

May 25, 1943
9 P.M.
Hello mummy dear,
Here I am again with a few minutes time before lights out so I will start another letter to my sweetie.
We rolled out at 4 A.M. this morning and fifty of us went out to the firing range to fire the 30 cal machine gun. We got there just after daylight and then the fireworks started. Boy those babies are really weapons. We had targets with 21 bulls eyes on each target. Each bulls eye is 1 inch square and we shot from 125 feet. That isn't very far and are fairly easy to hit if we fired one shot at a time but we take a bead on each bull and fire three shots in quick succession without time to right the other two. If you don't hold the gun down it is bound to shift from the recoil and that makes the last two shots go wild. These guns are mounted on tripods and have a system of screws for raising or lowering or swinging the muzzle from side to side. When you get your sights on the bull you can't help but hit the first time because the gun is held steady on the tripod. But when you fire the first shot the trick is to know how to hold the gun and tripod from shifting on the ground. If it shifts even a very little the two shots following will be complete misses. This gun fires so fast, about 450 shots a minute, so three go faster than you can snap your fingers. You can see why it is impossible to sight the last two. I hope you can get a little of the idea from this inadequate description.
I didn't come out so bad. Scored 105 points out of a possible 125. That means that I missed the bulls with 7 shots out of 85. It doesn't sound so bad but about 15 of the boys did better by a few points, so I'm not so very proud of it. The lowest score was 72 and the highest 115. It sure is fun to fire that baby. Wish I could just turn it loose and see how much dirt I could kick up. They have a vicious, stinging crack and by the time I was through I could hardly hear for a while. Just like being on a battlefield with all those guns firing at once.
Well honey it's time for me to get cleaned up and go to bed. I will try to finish this tomorrow night. Night Tootsie, I'll see you in my dreams. I'd much rather see you in the flesh but for now I'll have to be satisfied with dreams. Nighty Nite my old sweet wife.
Weds. night 7:30 P.M.
Hello Honey,
Guess I'm going to have a chance to keep my word and finish this letter tonight. This week has been the easiest I have had since I got in the army. They have decided that basic is over this is like the last week of school. Next week we go into advanced basic, whatever that is. Our company came out 2nd in the division in the tests we had last week and the C.O. was very much pleased so we are having an easy week. I hear we have a parade of the entire division tomorrow morning and are all done for the week. If they stick to that maybe I'll catch up on my letter writing. I may even write one to my wife. Won't that be nice. You know I still love her a lot.
This morning we didn't even have exercises but went to the theater first thing to see some training films. that lasted for nearly two hours and were very interesting. The first 2 films were on scouting and patrolling on the battlefield and were played like a regular show..Hero and his buddies going out on a dangerous mission to secure information of the enemy behind enemy lines. It was all done in proper army style and we are supposed to learn how by watching the picture. I learned more from that picture than I had from the lectures. These films are good educators. Maybe our school systems could take tip from the army. It's like someone has said. "A picture is worth a thousand words."
I have a picture here in my stationery box that is worth several thousand words to me. Don't get worried, it's your picture and you look mighty sweet to me.
While I'm on the subject of pictures, we had all our pictures taken for a division picture book which will be available later on. I'll get one and send it to you when they are ready. The photographer also took orders for pictures if we wanted them so I decided to get some. I ordered one large one for you and a couple smaller ones. You can do as you please with them but I thought maybe our mothers would like them. They probably won't be ready for several weeks so don't expect them too soon.
Getting back to the movie: the third film was another of the actual films of the German army taking Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, and France. They are horrible with human suffering and give an idea of what war really means to invaded countries. I or any man would do anything to keep that from happening here in the good old U.S.A. See how these pictures put over the idea they are trying to teach? It is just a part in training us to hate the enemy and not hesitate to destroy him in any way possible.
These pictures are restricted and never will be shown anywhere but in the armed forces, because the dialogue is typical soldier and would never pass the Hayes Office and some of the scenes are too terrible to show the public. Just men turned back to animals of exceptional ferocity. However, they are very interesting and hold me on the edge of the seat all the time.
I was just thinking of how you would act if you could see them. Remember how you hung on to me when we saw "Wilderness Passage". I guess that was the name, and didn't want to look but couldn't keep from it. Well this is the same only worse and not fiction.
After the show we drilled for a couple hours in preparation for the division parade tomorrow and then this afternoon I got out of classes by being detailed, along with Carl Bauman to haul a load of gravel in front of the mess hall. We were all done by 4:30 and then we cleaned up and had our pictures taken.
Well honey, it's 9:15 and the lights will soon go out so I'll quit and continue this another time. I haven't told you much about how much I love you. I do love you and am afraid I will continue to as long as I live. You're a devil but I love it. Gives me a very nice anchor back in civilian life. Night honey. I love you.
your soldier hubby.
Norm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Letter # 31 May 24, 1943

May 24, 1943
Mon. eve. 7 P.M.
Hello Honey darling;
This letter is going to be written in installments. I have a few minutes now before we go to the bowl and probably won't have another chance until tomorrow night at least and maybe not then. I am scheduled to fire the 30 cal. machine gun tomorrow and sometimes we don't get back to the barracks until late.
I got two letters from my sweet little wife today. Your Thurs.& Friday ones. From all the dinner dates you mention you must be doing all right for entertainment. Glad you are and hope the army doesn't break it up for you by drafting the remaining men. Of course I'm concieted enough to think you don't have as much fun as you would if I were there, but from the sound of your letters you will manage until I get back. I'm almost jealous of Mick & Jr. enjoying your company so often. It sure is swell of them to take such good care of my young and attractive widow. Glad they are all married or one of them might take you away from me. I'm really not much worried. I'm nice.
I hope you are honest about saying you aren't working too hard. I know you have plenty to do, but I'll accept your statement that you won't hurt yourself working, but if it ever does get too much for you to do just quit doing some of it. You can leave most of the lawn go or anything else that will make less work. Just do as you please and don't try to keep up all we started if it makes you work too much. You're the boss and as I said before do as you please with anything of ours, but be damn sure you keep yourself in good shape for me. That is the only order I want you to be sure and obey. Nothing else is very important in comparison to you. The rest can all be replaced but I'd have a hell of a time replacing you. As I read this over I wonder waht has happened to me. Guess I must be in love with you. If you can realize how seriously I mean all this, you know how much I love you. You're a devil for getting such a hold on me, but I wouldn't have it otherwise. I love you, honey.
We aren't to have a bowl formation after all. It just started to rain like hell so they called it off. I had gotten further with this letter than I thought I would and am running down for this time so I guess I'll send it on and write another when I have more to say.
Don't worry about me having writer cramp from writing letters. The only ones I write during the week are the few I write to you and they are fun. It's the only chance I have to love you. As for the rest they keep me busy on Sunday when I have nothing else to do and you know me, I just have to have something to do. I haven't written nearly all I should. I can write just so many and then I get itchy and leave the rest go. I'll eventually get around to them all. Glad to hear people like my letters. I thought most of them rather poor.
When I run out of things to say of everyday events in your letters, I can spend some time writing you a love message and because you love me, get by, but when writing to others I have a harder time, I never was much good at writing or talking so people could understand just what I meant.
You can tell Louise that I am going to demand proof of that statememnt about loving me. The least I'll expect is one of her swell chicken dinners.
Well good night for this time honey, I love you. I'd like to squeeze you a few times before I go to sleep. I'll just think about it and be satisfied for now. Night mummy.
your loving soldier boy,
Norm.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Letter # 31, May 22, 1943

May 22, 1943
Sat; eve.
Hello Tootsie;
I've been neglecting you again this week but have been just too busy to write. I'm afraid you will have to get used to not hearing from me so often. The schedule from now on has a lot of bivouac trips on it and we usually don't have time to do anything before dark. It gets dark here at about 8:30 and unless it is nice moonlight like it was last Monday I don't get a chance. That was one of the most beautiful nights I ever remember seeing anywhere, even in Colorado and that is saying plenty. As I said in that letter it would have been a swell night for lovers. You and I, we're still lovers aren't we? Even though married. I love you anyhow, regardless of wether we can be classed as lovers or not.
I don't blame you for having your hair cut now that you are a working girl again. It probably was a lot of work to keep it up and I know you don't have any time to waste. You just got yourself a lot of work by marrying me, but don't you dare be sorry or I'll pick out a W.A.A.S.C. a red haired one if possible.
I liked your hair best as it was when I left, but I loved you before and I could love you if you didn't have any hair, like me. You can do that way again after this is over and you retire to your old position of being my sweet wife again.
It is a rotten break that Tony is getting. Even if he does get well he will be just where he started and have all his training to take over again. I don't doubt that some of his outfit has been sent. Some of these non combat outfits are sent after 6 weeks of training. That was the way I was hoping it would be with me, but in a combat outfit like this it takes a long time to train. They still say at least 9 mo. so I have at least 7 more months of training and I guess a lot of it will be spent under the open sky. Suits me O.K. I like to live outside.
This mail business is screwey part of the time. I got three letters from you today. Your Mon, Tues, and Wed all in a bunch. I had a good time reading that many letters from my honey all at once.
I was glad to see Jim's letter. He seems O.K. and in good spirits. He is down where they are expecting it to be very active soon. I will send his letter back in this one and if I have time will write one to him tomorrow and enclose it in another one to you. He doesn't have his rank on the letter so you will address it and send it for me won't you? Thanks honey, you're sweet.
I bet that day off did feel good. You have been working too steady anyhow. Don't let them overwork you. I want more than a shadow left when I come home. You were a little too heavy in spots but I still don't want you to be much different than you were. About like you were when we were married is swell. You were nice and soft and exciting to look at and touch or maybe I had better say feel. I did more feeling than mearly touching. Remember how you bothered me so I just couldn't keep my hands off you and even though you used to call me "old feeley" I think you liked it a little. I'll have a lot of exploring to do all over again. "Whoope".
Don't let me scare you very much about how tough and wild I am. You usually could handle me very well and I think you still can. You are so nice I couldn't help being nice to you. I love you too, mummy and as you say it would be fun to have you floating and then go home with you. You were almost passionate then. Remember Put-in-Bay last summer?
When you send the glasses again, I think it would be better to put them in the case and then pack the case in another box.
Our friends sure are being nice to you and I hope they keep it up. It will keep you entertained and happy. They're nice.
I imagine the dogwood will live. It is just the moving last year that cut the amount of blossoms.
The whole company goes on all the hikes together and bivouacs, that is about 200 men and officers. In classes we are broken up into groups of 25 or so, each with a second lieutenant and a sargent for instructors.
Since I moved to the barracks I'm in now I don't see H. Marshall much and that is probably why I don't mention him.
Leo is in the tank platoon at present so I don't see much of him either. They said I am too big for tanks and I guess they are right. I don't close the hatches when I get in without coiling up like a spring.
I won't have "Pop" for a bed partner much longer. He is being transfered to another company the end of the week.
Well mummy I guess I better quit and go to bed I'll finish tomorrow. Night Tootsie Wuggles, I love you. I'll tell you some more tomorrow.
Sunday Morn. 7:30
Morning honey dear. Had a nice long sleep and feel swell. Nearly 10 hrs. pretty good for me.
I guess I forgot to say I had received Mr Clark's letter a week ago. Haven't answered yet but will soon, maybe today. I guess this takes care of the questions and comments in your letters so I will continue with part some number or other, of "The Life of Pvt. Norman Effinger in the 8th Armored Force"
Thursday morning we went back to the range and we really had an initiation into real army life in the open. We had nearly arrived at the bivouac area and it started to rain. One of these violent, tropical thunder storms.
It was hot as hell with the sun just seeming to burn and all of a sudden the southern sky showed a large black cloud, racing toward us and spreading over the entire sky. Lightening took the place of the sunlight and kept up a continous rolling and flashing. In a few minutes the first drops fell, great big drops, seemingly the size of pears. They kept coming faster and faster until it seemed as though someone was playing a firehose over me. We were all lined up in marching formation with full packs on our backs and raincoats on. Then the order to march was given and we started out on a 15 mile cross country hike. It wasn't 2 minutes until I found out what they call these raincoats, rain strainers, was true. I was wet clear through and the water ran down my legs inside my leggings and into my shoes, so that at each step the water squirted out the tops of my shoes. Got my feet well washed. The heat completely disappeared and until my circulation speeded up from exercise I was actually chilly. The temperature changes just as fast as the storms come up.
The rain continued without let up. The level land was actually a couple inches deep with water and every little stream or wash was full of water, sometimes knee deep. On the motor trails through the woods, where there had been dust several inches deep, there was that much slippery mud. The first couple hours were like that and then the rain stopped just like turning off a faucet and the sun came out, but not so hot as before. It was the first march I have been on that I didn't sweat until I was sweat out. Usually my clothes are as wet with sweat as they were this time with rain. If I had my choice I would pick a hike like this one every time, to get away from that terrible heat. I'm going to be sweat down to where I was when you first knew me if I stay in this climate very long. The work doesn't faze me but the heat does. You know I never did like hot weather.
Most of the boys took the march in good spirits and even did a little singing part of the way.
Being squad leader I was in my position at the head of the 4th platoon and I overheard an interesting discussion of myself going on behind me in the platoon. The boys were arguing about my age and they were guessing at anything from 18-35. They finally decided I couldn't be any more than 24 or 25 at the most or I wouldn't be able to keep up with the platoon much less lead it. After they had arrived at that decision one of them asked me and when I told them I had to take my helmut off to make them believe it. See, the old man is still as good as some of the young ones.
There are three squads in a platoon. Mine is the middle one. The one on the right is lead by Norman Rahill, a lawyer from New York. He is 33 and single, a very nice person, classified for army intelligence. The one on the left is lead by Carl Bauman, a government secretary from Washington D.C. He is just 20 and also classified for army intelligence. So they have three white collar men men for leaders in the 4th platoon.
We got back at bivouac area about 5:30. 4 hours to cover about 15 miles. We then hunted as dry a spot as we could to pitch our tents.
Our platoon sargent was short a partner and asked me to pitch with him so I did. He was in charge of the radio peep for the night so we slept by the peep. The ground was very wet so I fixed that. I cut half a pine tree down to get enough branches to keep our blankets up off the ground. They make a fragrent, springy bed and I slept like a log. Didn't even know it rained like hell again at night. We had dug a ditch around our tent so if it did rain we wouldn't be flooded out. Good thing we did.
The night was very quiet not even many mosquitoes. My clothes were still very wet and we weren't allowed to build a fire to dry them and on these tactical bivouacs we are to sleep in our clothes, in case we are called to move in the middle of the night and on 5 minutes notice. I didn't like the idea of sleeping in wet clothes but I did and in the morning I was nice and dry. Wasn't cold at night either.
Next morning we took the same hike over again. It was still cool and seemed like a very easy march. When I came in I found a hole in the sole of one of my shoes. Imagine, I've worn out one pair of these heavy army shoes already. Will have to turn them in for repairs tomorrow.
We came in Friday evening, washed all the trucks and etc, scrubbed the barracks, and got ready for Saturday inspection.
We had full equipment and personnel inspection Sat aft. and were through about 4 P.M. I understand we are to have mostly tests and review up to Wed. this week, inspection on Thurs and are to have Fri, Sat, and Sunday off in honor of Memorial Day. I have a suspicion we will do some parading. Three days would be too much for the army to give us all at once. About 20% of the company are to receive three day passes for the weekend. Too bad Wayne couldn't have waited until then to have his wife down. I think maybe I will take a day and see a few of these towns for myself. I'm not very anxious to see them but I've been in camp for 7 weeks and maybe it will be refreshing to get out for a few hours. I'll have to keep in contact with the outside world or I won't know how to act when I get out. To act and talk as we do here would be terrible even for one of the rough parties we had once in a while. When I stop to think of it I haven't even talked to one of the weaker sex more than once or twice since I've been in the army. By the time I come home you'll have to teach me manners all over again. You did it once and you can do it again. You've had quite an influence on me you old devil. Formerly I wouldn't have admitted it was good influence but now I will. Keep it up honey, I love you.
I'm going to end this now. Much as I love you and much as you deserve it I can't spend all my time writing to you. I would like to and could write several times as much as this but I must be polite enough to answer some of the other letters I have received.
Be good honey, love you so much......
your loving husband;
Norm

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Letter # 30 May 19, 1943

May 19, 1943
Wed. eve. 9 P.M.
Hello Sweetheart;
I'm going to do like you did last Friday and make this letter short. We have an inspection first thing in the morning and then go back on the range for a couple days and I still have some work to do to get ready. I'm not trying to even up for your short letter but just don't have time. I wish I could write more, I like to, to you and don't misunderstand the crack about your letter. You are a good little letter writer, don't think you have even missed a day, which is a lot more than I can say.
You wonder how I get all the letters written. I have all day Sunday with nothing else to do while you work all the time. That's the difference.
I got three very nice lettes from you today, two of yours and the combined one of the kids. Too bad you are having such bad weather you can't even have an outside weiner roast. There ought to be enough wood left to roast quite a few.
So our good friends put the screens on and are taking good care of my little wife. She's sweet, they ought to. I would if I were there.
I also got the cakes and they were in good shape. We had a regular party on them. Thank Tib for me and I will write her a letter as soon as I have time. They tasted swell and were much appreciated by the boys. I left you have the credit for baking them and the boys think they see why I married you, but they don't know the half of it. While you could have baked them as well as Tib, you're cooking ability wasn't all I married you for. I love you so damn much it hurts honey.
They have posted a list of the job classifications and guess what they gave me. A Supply job. I'm like Steve, I don't think much of it at present. Leo also has the same job. I will find out more about it and if I still don't want it, I may have a chance to change to something else. It almost seems a job for a limited service man and I sure as hell am not that, neither is Leo.
I don't know how soon we are to take over our new duties. Since we have a new commander it may not be until after the 13 week period. I will let you know as soon as I know anything deffinite.
Could you read the letter I wrote on the range? The moon was just bright enough to see the lines but I couldn't see the words very well. Iope you can make it out.
I'm still all in one piece and feeling very well. Not even a little thing wrong with me physically, but sometimes I am not here mentally and you, the cause of that condition. I just can't help but think of you and do a little dreaming about you. You're sweet and I love you whole lots.
Wayne Good's wife was down for the weekend. It took her two full days to get here and they only had Sat night together. They went to DeRidder and Wayne says they had a decent room in a hotel. The other two nights, Friday and Sunday she spent at the guest house. Wayne said it was worth it but it looks to me like a hell of a lot too much trouble for what little time they had together. He didn't seem to be any happier either. For my part I would sooner wait until I had several days to see you. When I have you again I want you for more than one night. Why I couldn't even get enough of looking at you in that time and I have some other things in mind beside looking, to do to you. I really love you honey.
If nothing else turns up before September or October we might get together that way then. I would be on some sort of job by then and could probably get leave every night for a couple weeks and then it would be fun. As you say, we can wait and see. I can live without you but I sure as hell don't like to. You're just too sweet to leave you running around loose. You were made to have someone enjoy living with you.
Well honey I've got to quit and get to bed. Will write as soon as I can again. Night honey. I love you.
your hubby.
Norm.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Letter #29 May 17, 1943

May 17, 1943
Mon. Aft 4 P.M.
Hi Sweetheart;
Well here I am way out in the La. woods and imagine having time to write in the middle of the afternoon. I drew K.P. duty again today and when we are out the K.P.'s stay on duty all day. We have our work all done until about 5 so I will use the time to write to my darling wife. I love you honey.
You should see the layout we have for a field kitchen. A large canvas stretched up for a tent on a hill in the woods. We are in complete shade and even though it is hot there is a grand breeze making it very comfortable. The cooking is done on 6 large gasoline burners and they can also be slipped under three large portable ovens to do the baking. Two large canvas water bags hang on tripods and hold our drinking water. The water all has to be hauled from the camp. It takes a surprising amount of water for a bunch of men like this, nearly 300 gal of water today.
I got interrupted and it is now 8 P.M. Just finished my K.P. duties and shaved and will write until dark. I hear we are going in tomorrow eve and come back Thursday and Friday, so I will probably get this mailed Tues eve.
I helped break the eggs for scrambled eggs for breakfast, 35 doz of them. It must be quite a job to cook for so many all the time.
I am sitting here with my back against a big pine, we are camped in the middle of a large grove on a hilltop, the moon is just beginning to be bright enough to cast the shadow of my hand on the paper as I write, the sun has just gone down and the western sky is a mass of color, there is a brisk cool breeze blowing through he pines and the pine scent is heavy on the air. All very pretty and restful. Wish you were here honey. It is a perfect setting for a lover's meeting. I don't think I would need all the background to get in a lover's mood if you were here, but it's nice and just perfect for love making. I'm loving you by long distance honey.
Can you feel it?
From the way you answer some of my questions before you even get the letters it seems you must almost know what I'm thinking. I love you and still think you're gorgeous. I am now writing entirely by moonlight so if you can't read it put in words of your own and make them plenty sweet.
Got your Thurs. letter today, one from Tony and one from Clyde Ambrose. I will send Tony's along with this. He sure is getting a tough break.
You must have had one of your spells when you wrote that letter but like always I know that as soon as you finished saying it you were your old self again.
Vi has written me a couple of nice letters and I have answered them.
It sure was swell of Mick to mow the lawn for you. Looks like the boys all must think you're sweet. You are too. Hope they don't take all the men in the army, so you won't have anyone to take care of you. They are real friends. Hope we sometime have the opportunity to return the favors. It's very comforting to know they are all taking care of you while I'm away. Hope Mickey doesn't have to go. In the shape he was when I last saw him it would be plenty hard on him until he looses some weight.
As I have said before it is no place for a married man. I'm not complaining at all but I still don't want other happy couples to be separated as we are. It makes it hard on both but hardest on the wife. Just think how hard my own sweet wife is working and how much change it has made in her life. You're doing a swell job honey. Deep it up for a while longer and I'll be home and make you forget the hard time you are having now.
Don't worry about me being disappointed about you. I know you very well and know you aren't an angel. [note: he spelled it angle!] I never even called you one but even though you have some faults I still mean every word I have said. Who the hell wants an angel. I'd have to be perfect then and you know I'm a hell of a way from that. In fact almost a devil. I don't know how I was lucky enough to get you unless it was to get you out of teaching school.
All I want is a girl just like you, and now that I've had a chance to miss you and realize how much you mean to me I consider myself very lucky to have you for a wife, waiting impatiently for my return. In comparison with any other girl I have ever known you are best and if I could have my pick I would still pick you.
I may have been very slow to realize it, but remember that in all the time we went together and since we have been married we were always together with never even a spat so I had no chance to miss you and fully appreciate what you mean to me. So never fear that I will be disappointed, and don't be scared by what I am going to do to you. You can take anything I have to give.
Well I guess I better quit and go to bed. It is a swell night and I still wish you were here to snuggle up to. When I think, I can almost feel those nice soft curves fitting up to me. Night mummy. I loves you honey.
your loving husband
Norm

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Letter # 28 May 16, 1943

May 16,1943
Sunday Morn.
11 A.M.
Hi you sweet thing;
I am going to try to write you a nice long letter if my ambition holds out, because I doubt if I will be able to write any next week. We will be out on bivouac all week I hear and if it is like last week I won't have time to write to sweet little you, damn it. Maybe I can make this one long enough so you can read part each day and imagine you are getting a letter every day. They bring our mail out to us so I get your letters, nice for me but bad for you, sorry honey. If I can possibly write I will. You see on these simulated battle maneuvers we can't have any lights, so if we don't get everything done before dark, which we seldom do we just can't do any writing. At least I don't think I can but I may try it sometime. I wouldn't have thought it possible for me to shave in the dark with an ordinary razor but I did it twice last week and didn't do so bad either. Wed. night I forgot to shave my upper lip so I had a mustach all day Thurs. but Thurs. night I did very well, not even a cut and only a few missed whiskers so maybe I can learn to write in the dark. If sometime you get a worse looking letter than usual, that's what happened.
Last week I addressed three envelopes in ink and took several sheets of stationery with me, so you see I had good intentions and it also explains the worn apperance of this paper. I'm too scotch to throw it away. I can't carry ink in the field so I write in pencil, don't give me hell like you did once remember? I just had to give you a dig for laughing at my spelling. I'd love you even if you gave me hell most of the time which you sure don't even if I do deserve it. You're sweet and I love you.
You may say you aren't a "Petty" girl but to me you are much better than any "Petty" or "Varga" ever made. Maybe I better quit writing such things so you can read more of my letters to others, but to hell with the others, when I want to love you a little while I'm writing I want to and I'm going to do it. Just like I always was, when I want it, I want it. You will just have to censor my letters if you think it is a little too personal for others to hear.
I went to the P.O. last night and mailed the glasses. They said I would have to make the insurance claim from the main P.O. here and that is over in South Camp and I would have a hell of a time getting there while they are open so I guess we will just forget about it and pay for it ourselves. You're rich and sweet enough to pay my bills for me. I always wanted a girl with money and now I've even got that. You sure are measuring up to specifications aren't you honey. I think you are and from reports of our friends, others think you are also. I still don't know how I was lucky enough to get you and dumb enough not to realize just how nice you were, until I had to leave you. Thank the army honey for waking me up and maybe you better keep some of these letters to show me if I ever again become unappreciative. You know I may slip after I've been with you for a few years again. I'll try not to honey and I sure hadn't ought to.
I guess I left out some things in my letter yesterday and will try to pick up a few of them. You see I was writing most of that letter while at the hospital waiting for transportation back to camp. I was sitting on a bench in front and was being bothered by W.A.A.C.S. crowding me off the bench nearly. I slid clear to the end and then anchored and stayed there. They were all waiting for transportation also. It was rather a new experience for me. I have seldom had a strange girl make the first advances, but I sure did then. They didn't need even an encouraging glance. I'm afraid I was a very unsatisfactory companion. I would answer their questions and then go back to writing to you. You sure must have something on the ball honey to be worth that many birds in the hand. I was even a little embarassed, imagine that. If that letter is queer blame it on the W.A.A.C.S. I did plenty of looking but nothing else.
The woods where we bivouac is literally crawling with snakes and insects. Nearly every kind of snake in the books. Coral rattler, Moccasin copperhead, black, and blue and all but the last two are poisonious. The boys killed severasl about 5' long and lots of little ones. All but the rattler will get out of the way if they can. I can now see the reason we wear leggings, it makes it impossible for a snake to get at us. They can't strike through to our legs so we are safe.
Remember the chiggers they talk of up at Put-in-Bay, well we sure have them here. My legs from the knee down are just covered with their bites. They get in our clothes and stay where the leggings are tight and have a swell time biting us. The medics smear soda, sulpher and water on the bites and they don't bother much but boy you should see what my legs look like, raw hamburger, from all the red welts. There are also plenty of mosquitoes and big ones, but I only have a few bites. Some of the rest of the boys have so many all over they look like they had measles. Leo's face and forehead was all swelled up from bites.
A lot of the boys have poison ivy also, so I am really lucky in comparison to them. If there was only some lake or river large enough to swim in I would like it better on bivouac than here in the barracks. It is cooler, because of available shade in the day and nearly cold at night. I can sleep as well on the ground as in these bunks and I always did like to be outside. Some more of the cave man in me.
You said you would like to take "Pop" Curtis' place as my bed partner and it sure would be O.K. by me but as much as mosquitoes bother you I don't think you would like it very much.
They gave us a medical inspection in the field Friday. Short arm and a check on insect bites and also to look for wood ticks. I had two wood ticks stuck to me and I didn't even know it until one of the medics said I had two of those damn diamond backs. They are an insect about the size and shape of a potato bug and they first suck their fill of blood and then gradually work their way under the skin. If they once get clear in they have to be cut out. These I had were still outside and the medic pulled them out with tweezers. They say the devils carry a fever germ and that is why we didn't have bivouacs sooner. They waited until we had our shots for that particular thing, so now they can't do us any harm. I wasn't the only one that had them.
I'm telling you all this because I think it interesting and I know you won't worry about it. We are well taken care of and they don't want any of us on sick list. They need us too bad.
We are to have a new company commander. I don't know the reason for sure but the grapevine says our old one is being sent across the water.
You probably have noticed in the news that General Devers was sent to take charge of the armored forces in Africa. He was the commanding general of the 8th so he is probably calling a few of the officers from here. The rumor says 16 are being called and our's was one of them.
Got another letter from Steve which I will enclose. He says John has left the store. I didn't think he would stay long. Hope Harold can get some more help or he will be in a spot. Also got a card from your Mom. Guess I'll have to be careful about sending cards. The Mother's Day cards seem to have been a great shock to both Moms. I'll have to warn them the next time. They just didn't know how nice I am did they? Guess I'm not, that was just an accident. Mom Kelser says she is sending me the Gazette for a birthday present. Tell her thanks. I hadn't realized it but it is nearly my birthday again. Just think honey you are married to an old man in his 30's. As long as you stick to men as old as Pappy for the duration, I won't mind too much because I think I can still compete favorably with them, especailly after being away from you for so long. I do miss you more than I can say and I bet I will show you some real loving when I come home on that leave. Don't worry honey I will have one someday and then other girls can be jealous of you.
I realized that I had forgotten to mention Terry after I had written that card to Kelly but then I didn't have room anymore so I sent it anyhow. Sorry. I'll try to do better next time. I have been wanting to write Tib a letter but I don't seem to find time to do more than answer the letters I get each week, and I know you are keeping them posted. I would also like to write to Fred and several others but I just can't do it. I have written 10 already today and that doesn't include the ones to my wife either. I don't look on that as a pleasant duty but as a priveledge. I like to write to you for some reason or other. Know the reason? If you don't just take all the parts of my letters about you and put them together, add several times as much as I have said and you will have a small idea of the reason. You mean about all there is to me. I just seem to start all my thoughts around you. It doesn't seem possible you could mean that much to me but you do and even though it is against all I ever said, I wouldn't have it changed for the world. You're the first real strong emotion I have ever had and I find myself eating it up. Just see what you've done to me. It took a few years but you did it and I love you all the more for it.
The towels are doing O.K. and anyhow we can get good ones for 50 cents here at the P.X. and also plenty of Lifeboy Soap for 7 cents a bar so I am well set on those items.
Sorry you're having so much trouble getting your sleep and getting all the work done. Don't try to do too much and wear yourself out. I want any wife all in one piece when I come home so if it gets too much leave part of the work go or if you can get along, quit working or do anything, rent the place or sell it, but for my sake if not your own don't hurt yourself by trying to do too much. You mean more to me than anything else so be damn sure you're O.k. and able to handle it all or else don't do it. I mean that just as I said it, you sweet old devil.
I'm getting along O.K. as squad leader and all the boys are very cooperative, of course I have all the athority in the world behind me and they can't give me any argument, and then being older than most they would be inclined to accept my leadership anyhow. Beside everybody always liked me anyhow. I'm sweet you know. You better think so. I love you honey.
I didn't notice the note about the P.O. box on your Wed letter until now but I'll put it on this one.
I am like you and will have to admit that if I stop to think too much I do ocassionally have a blue spell for a short time and you, darn you, are usually the cause of it, but that only makes me love you more so don't worry.
From what you say, and if I stay away for quite a time you will really be "So Nice to Come Home to"! Dreaming of me and even thinking of the sexual side of life. Boy will we have a real time. Both be in the same mood we were in that night in Michigan. The first night we ever slept together. Remember? You better be in different shape though. Never mind I would still be most awful damn glad to see you in any shape, but I'm going to hope for the best. Don't blame me do you.
I think the scrap book idea is O.K. and will send you anything I get. It probably will be interesting to look back in a few years and recall what happened during the time we were separated, and wonder how we ever stood it to be apart that long. Just think 7 weeks apart already and that much closer to the day when I come home to my sweet little wife again.
In lots of ways we both seem to have the same ideas. I am holding on to all the money I can also, just in case I have a chance for a surprise furlough. Must be we both want to see each other. Wonder why? Maybe it's love. Maybe, hell, I know it is. I'm not depriving myself either just being careful.
Glad to hear you still like my letters. It seems to me I am repeating myself a lot and thought maybe they read like copies. But if you are like me it still sounds swell even if it is the same. Nice to hear you say you love me. You're sweet.
I got the Esquire the other day so that is coming through O.K. It is a very popular magazine here in the barracks. Have a waiting line to see it.
Well honey this is about all I can do this time and if you don't get any letters for a few days remember I would write if I could and that I am thinking of you even though I don't write. I love you so much maybe you can kind of feel it or something. I love you so take care of yourself so I will have you as you are to love when I come marching home. By Darling.
Your husband and lover
Norm

Friday, May 14, 2010

Letter # 27 May 15, 1943

May 15, 1943
Sat. Morn.
Hi Sweetheart;
I sure have been neglecting you this week but I assure you it isn't my fault. I wanted to write but have had no chance until now.
We were out on the range in camp since Tuesday and they sure kept us busy. On duty 24 hrs. a day and caught a little sleep as we could.
I am writing this letter while waiting to go to the hospital for glasses. I got my own back Thursday, they brought them out along with the mail, but they were broken in the mail, one lens, so I thought I would have a pair of G.I. glasses made up. They don't cost anything, so I might as well. I will send these of mine back and you can have them fixed again. I'm a lot of bother honey, but you asked for it. I am not sure but think you will have to make the insurance claim from there. I will find out when I get to the post office to mail them. They say it will probably take 3 or 4 weeks to get the G.I.'s. Good thing I don't need them bad. Today is the first time I even missed them, due to lack of sleep for the past few days I guess. Anyhow when I do get them back I'll have two pair to go on.
I'll mail this letter today if I finish it or not so if it ends abruptly that is the reason and will be continued in the next. I'm a lot of bother aren't I, but I love you a hell of a lot if that makes up for it. I will let you know about the insurance in a letter I will mail with the glasses. The post office should pay the expenses but if it is too much trouble forget it, it's only about $4.00 and you say you are rich. I don't believe it but I'm glad you can be so confident of it.
From what you say it must be a little hard to live without me. I'm selfishly glad it is, because I find it hard to be without you. And it's nice to know.
Well here I am down at the hospital in South Camp Polk waiting for the ambulance to come and take me back. The camps are about 6 or 7 miles apart. This one looks much bigger and nicer. It has been established for about 2 years and have had time to fire it up. Nice lawns and everything. Even swimming pool.
This is a hell of a big hospital. They say they have about 8000 patients. they took the same prescription for the glasses that Reuther did and are going to have them made up as soon as possible. Very nice about it, no trouble at all.
This camp is the home of the 3rd Armored Division and also the home of the W.A.A.C.S. The W.A.A.C.S. are as thick as flies around here but my opinion hasn't changed much, although I have seen a few that didn't look so bad. Don't worry I won't look very hard, but I can't help looking them over, can I?
Tuesday night The Camel Caravan was at the bowl and put on a very nice show. I enjoyed it a lot even if it did keep me up until 11 P.M.
We had to roll out at 4 A.M. Wed morning, pack our equipment and left in trucks for our camping grounds out in the woods. Had regular classes out there all day, and set up camp under simulated battle conditions. Each vehicle had to be well hidden and camouflaged, I know that isn't spelled correctly but you know what I mean, against either land or air attack. Radio stations set up and hidden and that evening planes flew over taking pictures to see if we could be found. They spotted a couple of trucks and a few pup tents but the C.O. said it was very satisfactory for the first try. We were each assigned to vehicle and pitched our tents close to that vehicle and were to be on guard against any other company raiding us. There were 10 or 12 companies all camping in the same area and they all had raiding parties out trying to enter the other camps and capture equipment or men or anything they could get away with, without being challenged by the guards.
Wed. night I drew a 3 hour guard post. 12-3 and Thurs night we were all on guard until 1 when the game was over. It was a lot of fun.
Wed. evening "Pop" Curtis, we bunked together again, and I went down to the kitchen to get our canteens full of water, and got just in front of the kitchen when we saw a guard standing there, it was nice and moonlight, and as I walked past him he asked me the password, explaining that he had forgotten it. Something made me suspicious so I stepped up and took off his helmet, in order to get a look at his face. I didn't know him and neither did "Pop" so we called a couple of guards on duty near there and had him taken to Headquarters. He was a spy from another company that had slipped through the guard and wanted the password so that he could move around freely and get the lay of camp so the other outfit could send in a raiding party. It didn't work that time. There were three more caught by other guards that night, but we didn't loose a thing.
Walking guard in the early hours of the morning when you know you are likely to be attacked is a rather ere experience. In the half light of the moon, out in the woods every stump and bush looks like a hiding man, and every noise and rustle sends a tingle along your spine. However, my trick on guard was uneventful except for challenging and examining several of our own soldiers.
Thursday night was the busy night, but we were ready, everyone in camp was on guard until 1 A.M. and while a dozen or so spies were caught, not one succeeded in entering camp. One of our raiding parties was captured and another came back with 4 peeps and 6 trucks, the flag, and one officer from Service Company. After the games were over at 1 A.M. the C.O. brought out beer for the whole company and we had a celebration.
Thursday afternoon we had another tough hike with full equipment. About 10 miles of rough country and hotter than hell. The next morning first thing we took the same hike again but it was cooler and nearly all made it without much trouble. That afternoon we lost several boys due to overheating.
We had two gas attacks with tear gas during the march, just to give us practice in the use of our masks. Someone in the woods just throws the gas bombs in the middle of the column and if we don't get our masks on we have a crying spree. I haven't gotten any yet but I didn't like to wear the mask very well when in action, it cuts down the air supply and makes it hard to breathe. Just like having a hard head cold. We wear these masks all the time during duty hours and every so often have gas thrown at us. They are going to be sure we know how to use these masks if we ever have to.
I'm still waiting here at the hospital for a ride back to camp so you will have to excuse the note paper. It's all I have with me and I have time to write so I'll use it.
I am laughing at the getting stuck incident. I got your letter and Jr's both yesterday evening and he was also getting quite a kick out of it. If you had a peep the ashes under the front wheel would have been O.K. because they are 4 wheel drive but on the old Plymouth you will have to put them under the rear wheels to do any good. The rear ones are the only ones that have any power. Glad the boys were available to get you out. How is the drive? I gather you just didn't stay on it but if it is bad have some gravel put on. Joe Ream will probably do it.
Jr. says he has another call from the Draft Board but is still trying for a deferment.
I guess I didn't say much about loving you in this letter so far but I had other things to tell you that I thought might be interesting. Never fear, I still love you as much as I have said and more. You are such a sweet thing it's hard to find any way of telling you. I'll save some of it until I can show you and boy will I do that. I'll be a cave man.
From the rough life we live I may even loose the thin veneer of civilization I had and really be a cave man, so watch out I don't take you apart. I'm dangerous now, not harmless as you used to say.
I'm feeling swell even after the last 3 days and the knee seems to have gotten well, maybe all it needed was use, anyhow it's O.K. now. See how tough I'm getting. No kidding, while I wasn't in too bad shape when I came here, I'm a lot better man now. It'll either build a man up or kill him and it sure isn't killing me. The only thing bothering me is being away from you, but the anticipation of again being with you is worth the bother, to say nothing about the realization. It'll be swell honey. I love you so much. You're a sweet old thing. Glad I got you.
Well they ought to be getting me soon so I'll quit. I love you.
Your loving husband
Norm

Monday, May 10, 2010

Letter # 26 May 10, 1943

May 10, 1943
Mon. Eve. 8:00
Hi Mummy Darling,
Got your air mail letter this noon, the one you mailed last Friday morning. I don't think it worth the extra cost. I have gotten regular letters from you just as quick. In fact I also got a letter from Harold today and it was postmarked Friday
5P.M. while yours was postmarked Friday 9A.M. and his was just regular mail so I guess you might as well save your other three cents. The letters mean just as much to me whether they are two days old or a week old. Still very sweet and some like today's are even a little passionate. I like 'em.
We didn't have a very successful party last eve. Only Wayne Good, Kenny and I, the rest didn't come. Henry was on guard duty and I don't know about the rest, probably on detail or something. Wayne is set on having his wife come down even if he can only see her long enough to say hello. Kenny is also nearly as bad but he wants to be sure he can at least have a couple of days off and go to town with her.
There were quite a few wives here Sunday staying at the guest house, and in every ally or corner you could see them necking and trying to have a little privacy, which is impossible with so many around. I don't think I would like that very much. When I do see you again I don't want to be disturbed for quite a while. I don't know if I could meet you in public and contain myself. That would be just torture.
Kenny is very much disgusted with the army and is doing quite a lot of bitching. I kind of took the army's side and he didn't think I was much help. Wayne is taking it much better and seems to be somewhat interested in it. We ate a light supper at the Service Club and had a good old bull session out on the lawn afterward. Comparing notes and experiences and looking over all the girls that went by. The place was full of them and they sure didn't have any trouble being picked up. If one was apparently alone she wasn't alone for long. She could have her pick of at least a dozen but most of them didn't seem to be the least bit particular. A lot of them were W.A.A.C.S. but there were also a lot of civilian girls. We looked them all over and none of us could even find a single one that looked good to us in comparison to our wives. Guess we must be just old married men. Too worn out to even pick up a piece when it wants to be picked up.
That statement is wrong as far as being worn out is concerned. I bet you couldn't give me the eye and get away untouched. I know damn well you couldn't get away for quit a time. I sure must love you. I wasn't even tempted and I always said a gal couldn't get away with it with me. You've spoiled me, they don't even look good to me. You must have plenty of something you sweet old thing. I could name what you have, but I think you know it's everything I want and you always said you were nice.
You must even be a sort of mind reader. You answered a lot of the questions I asked in Sunday's letter in the one I got today. That's real service. We sure must be turned to the same wave length.
Don't worry about the glasses. I hardly miss them at all. Just send them when you can. It's rather a relief not to have them in the way all the time.
So you were interested in my comments on babies. It's all right to be interested but don't plan. I haven't made any decisions as far as having any is concerned. Maybe I am not any good or we were lucky for quite a while. On the other hand maybe you will excite me so much when I see you again I won't be able to control myself and you will have your wish. I know I will be loaded for bear, bare you is what I mean. I can even get a thrill just thinking of you, what will I be when I have you in my arms, kissing you and doing some of the other things I used to do. It'll be heaven won't it honey? It'll be so nice I can't help but sit here and dream about it. I love you, you sweet thing.
You say you can't believe the things I say are about you. I haven't been able to say half I would like to. The words just won't convey the meaning I want them to. You'll still have to wait for the full meaning until I can show you.
You once said something about the machine gun shell that someone showed you. I am now studying the 50 caliber one, and that is some gun. Weighs 124 lbs. with a 45 inch barrel and shoots between 450 and 500 shells a minute. If you had one of them you could mow the lawn with it and save all that hard work. Here is a rough actual size picture of the shell it shoots:
{pencil drawing of machine gun shell}
Some different from our little 22 don't you think? It will go through an inch of steel plate.
I got to make this letter short. Nearly time for bed. Don't forget I love you and am thinking of you almost more than I should. You still pop up in the middle of a lecture or when I am working on a gun or any time when you really shouldn't but I like it. Good night wifey darling, maybe I'll dream of you in my sleep when it won't interfere with anything else. I love you.
Your own soldier boy,
Norm

Letter 25, 1943 May 9, 1943

May 9, 1943
Sun. 2:00
Hi my little darling.
Got another letter from my sweet wife this noon, also one from Gus & Vi. Needless to say, I read yours first. I sure do like your letters and read them over until I can nearly repeat them from memory.
Nice of you to say no one can take care of you as well as I, and am very glad that Art and Mick and the rest along with your dad and mother are trying to take my place. I imagine that in most ways they will do a better job than I did, but there are a few ways that I hope no one can replace me. You know how, too. You sweet old thing and I love you a lot.
So the lawn is starting to grow. How does it look? Any better than last year? Is there any new grass on the bare spots? It will probably be much easier mowing if you mow it a couple of times a week if you have time. But here I go telling the boss what to do again. Glad to hear our strawberries look good. Maybe you can have your fill of them this year. I bet the place is pretty about now with all the flowers and the new leaves coming out. How are all the new trees doing? Look like they will grow? Also kind of anxious to know how the fence row looks with leaves out. Is it too thin or do you think it O.K.?
Did your coal hold out? From what people say it might be a good idea to get your coal for next winter as soon as you can. If you don't use it for some reason or other, it can always be sold or left there and we'll use it sometime. Just call Ed Selzer and tell him to bring the same coal he always has. This is just a suggestion and is entirely up to you and your dad.
It sure is too bad about Tony and I can't blame him for being blue if he doesn't feel well. That is one thing it takes to get along in the army, health, and plenty of it. If you haven't got it and are in the hospital half the time I think I would be blue too. It would be like being left out all around. Forced to stay away from home where he might be some good, and being of no use to the army. I sure wouldn't like it.
It is rather surprising about these boys that get limited service. Most of them are the worst "bitchers" until they are offered a medical discharge and then they apply for limited service instead of going home. There is something about it. A fellow doesn't want to leave until the job is done.
From the way things turned out for Larry, I guess it is just as well I didn't get into that branch. Sure is funny how the army does things, spend all that time and money training them and just discharge them. I don't know how it will work but I supposed if he doesn't get in by enlistment the draft board will call him back and maybe he can still get in the air corps someplace. I hope so for his sake. I bet that was a disappointment.
I have just heard another rumor. It says that in two more weeks they are going to send some of the boys to specialized schools. I am hoping for a mechanical school and believe I have a fair chance of getting it. Not being egotistical now, but I think I have done as well in basic as most, and having that good grade in the mechanical exam at Fort Hayes, I think I have a chance. Beside that I haven't gotten a "gig" since I have been here. "Gig" is a black mark for not doing something or for doing something I shouldn't. This is just a rumor. they originally hadn't intended to do any specializing until after 13 weeks, so don't take it very seriously.
I was much surprised this morning when I got up to see Leo back. He had gotten to Lake Charles about 9:30, left here at 4:00, 5 1/2 hrs to get 65 or 70 miles and couldn't find a place to stay for the night so he jumped a bus about 10:30 and got back to camp about 2:30 this morning. Very much disgusted with travel conditions. He liked the town but decided it wasn't worth the effort to get there. Everything is overloaded when the camp is off duty. He said the streets were so full of soldiers it looked like the camp.
I went up past the bus station last eve about 7:30 and there was a double line at least 1/2 mile long waiting for bus service so you can see why I don't think it worthwhile leaving camp.
You sure are a sweet old thing, offering to do anything you could for me and saying, " I have plenty of time, money, and etc" Sounds good but I don't know anything you have plenty of except the etc. You sure have plenty of what I choose to imagine the etc. means. Nice looking, beautiful to me, very sweet, generous, thoughtful, lots of nice soft curves, that I would love to caress, and a loving cooperative disposition. What more could I ask? How is that for a short love message? I mean every word of it too.
I had to sit and think to assemble the words to sound anything like I mean it. I still think it is very weak in comparison to what I feel. I could show you so you would know. I guess you'll just have to try and dream what I mean, but damn it all don't you dare dream it about Steve instead of me.
I have dreamed of you a couple of times but most of my dreaming is done before I go to sleep. I am going to have lots of things thought up to do to you when I come home, so watch out. I'll probably be a caveman.
It's getting close to 4:00 so I guess I better shave and get dressed for the party. Will tell you what happens next time I write. I love you so much I hate to quit telling you but I've run out of words anyhow.
So until I can do better than just write words to you, remember what I said above and believe me I mean it. I love you sweet old devil. You're really sweet.
Your loving husband
Norm
P.S. It still seems strange and gives me a thrill to write that Mrs. Velma
Effinger on the envelope. You know I don't believe I had ever written that before. I love it and all things concerned with you.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Letter #24 May 8, 1943

May 8, 1943
St Aft. 4:00
Hi you sweet old devil,
Didn't get time to write last night, always have to get barracks and everything ready for Saturday inspection, and we didn't get off so early today, nearly 3:30. I went over to the P.X. to get some cigaretts and met Wayne Good, first time I had seen him for several weeks, and we are only four barracks apart. So you see how much we get around. He spoke of his wife coming down, not this week but maybe next and when I told him I knew she was planning on it he was some surprised. He also thought Kenny's wife was coming. When I told him of the meeting of Medina boys for Sunday he was tickled, because he wanted to talk to Kennny and hadn't been able to find him. So we will go to the Service Club tomorrow and have a reunion. He wondered if I wasn't going to have you come down, and I told him I wasn't unless I saw I wasn't going to have a chance to get home before we are shipped. Costs too much for what little I could see of you.
They have these guest houses here, where guests can stay for 3 days, but we are not allowed to be there with you so what the hell. I want to see you alone and not out on the street you devil. I love you and when I see you I want to be able to show you in my own way. I bet you can't imagine what I mean can you. If you can't let me know and I'll explain. I'd much rather demonstrate and believe I could do a fairly good job of it about now. From the sound of your letters you might even like to have me do a little demonsrating. Just keep wanting me to and one of these days I will be home and do just that. Be better than our honeymoon.
Maybe as you say the shell is cracked or else I was always that way underneath and wouldn't admit it even to myself. I know I miss you more than I thought possible to miss anyone. I sure do love you a lot regardless of what my past actions might have implied. Just you wait and maybe I will develope into the kind of husband you always wanted me to be. I was sweet though.
The trip to Port Arthur was called off this week so I won't miss a thing by going to the Medina reunion. Leo Marks wanted me to get a pass and go to Lake Charles on the bus but I couldn't see any reason to go, so he and another fellow took off and won't come back until late Sunday night. If I had been a young sprout and looking for an easy virtue girl there might have been some reason to go, but you've got me tied up so darn tight I don't even have a desire to look for that and beside I wouldn't have had any time to write to you.
Now don't fret about my writing to you when I might be doing something else. I am still hard shell enough that if I didn't want to write, I probably wouldn't. I find it a lot of fun. It's the only way I have of talking to you and I like to do that now that I can't see you whenever I want to. You're sweet. But you are also a very nice kind of devil because you made yourself so necessary to me. I love you anyhow.
You said something about sending a pie to me, joking I think, but in case you weren't, for gosh sakes, don't, it would be scattered all the way from Ohio to here. As well as you and John have been wrapping up the packages they are nearly apart by the time they get to us. The army is rough on anything.
Well honey, five weeks of basic training over and I am still going strong, right up in the front ranks. If they keep on sending men to the hospital with physical defects and sickness, I will soon have a record of being the only one not having been in the hospital. Nearly every day or so there is one or two more given limited service certificates or in a few cases medical discharges. By the time basic is over they will have them all weeded out and what are left will be able to take anything that comes. I feel swell and getting tougher every day so don't worry about them killing me. I can take it.
They are feeding us better all the time. We have had very good meat for at least two meals a day all week. If Kenny is getting the same maybe he is better satisfied now. I have never gone back for seconds so you know I must not be hungry.
I hear that we only have two more weeks of real basic. That is if enough of us pass our examination at the end of the time. Some of the Majors and other brass hats were circulating around among our classes this week, picking out 8 or 10 men at random and giving us gun tests on the material we had covered to see if we were learning anything.
For some reason I was on 5 of these tests and only missed two questions. They told us the answeres if we missed them. There wasn't anything personal about it, they didn't even have our names, it was just a check to see if we were learning enough at the fast pace we are going or if they would have to slow down. At least that is what I think.
I also hear that we may be out for three or four days this week, so if the letters get thin and far between that is the reason. They may take mail in but I don't know.
I like that business of being out, just like a camping trip on a big scale. Of course I would a lot rather be on a camping trip with you and have you rather than Curtis as a bed partner. That would be swell but maybe I couldn't get up the next morning. Someday we will go on a camping trip if you get in shape to take it. I mean the camping trip.
Well I guess I'll quit for now. It's nearly chow time and after that I guess I'll look around for awhile and maybe have a beer or something.
Did I ever tell you how much I thought of you? If I haven't I don't think I will because I don't know the words to express it properly. Enough today. I think of you a lot and love you more and more each day. Everyday brings us closer together again, when I can do something to show my feelings when I run out of words. I always could use my hands better than my mouth. Till I'll be feeling you again. I love you a lot old Tootsie Wuggles, and not all sexually as you used to think.
your loving husband
Norm

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Letter # 23 May 6, 1943

May 6, 1943
Thurs, eve
Hi Tootsie Wuggles;
Just got your box with the candy and shoe polish and papers and magazines. Thanks a lot if that pays the bill, if it doesn't you'll have to wait until I see you and then maybe I can do something to even the score. Don't worry about the glasses, I don't even miss them except as guards against dust and dirt. The knee isn't well but it doesn't bother at all not even sore.
I don't know what I wrote that gave you the idea I was rather blue, I'm not, in fact I'm a long way from it. I was mad the night I wrote that letter, not because I missed seeing Bob Hope because I wasn't very keen on seeing him anyhow, and I wasn't lying when I said I would rather write to you. I was mad because of the detail I was on. I had been on detail nearly every night that week and then some of the boys that were to be on this particular detail ran out on it, so they just came in the barracks and took anyone there to fill out. They had just told them to report and not taken any names so it was easy for them to skip and let the rest of us be the goats. That probably accounts for the tone of the letter rather than what you thought. If it wasn't for missing you I would like this as well as any work. Remember I even used to get disgusted with things at the Hardware and then I had you too. So don't think I'm feeling bad. I am not. I mean it. Don't try to read between the lines you devil.
Glad to hear your check came through so promptly. Don't be silly about it, use all you want to, that's what it is for.
You mentioned the fishing. I don't think there is any very close around here. I haven't seen any creeks with enough water in them to have fish. Don't worry about my entertainment, whenever I don't have anything to do I can easily spend a couple very enjoyable hours composing a letter to my honey. I really do like to write to you and if my love letters are a little clumsy and give you the impression I am blue, just disregard it and blame it on my poor ability to convey to you in writing just what I am thinking or feeling. When you can see the person speaking you can read more meaning from expression than from the actual words and now all you have is the words. I don't know if that is a good enough explanation to be convincing or not but I mean it to be. You're a devil but I love you a lot.
If that was Tib's candy it was swell as a lot of other boys could testify. We all pass our boxes around so we have quite a selection of nearly anything we want to eat. Tell Tib thanks for me.
We went out to the driving range today and had instruction on following compass courses through the woods. We worked in pairs and they gave us a course from where we were to a stake they had set out beforehand, probably a mile or more away and we would follow our compass to the place and then we would have another course from that stake to another and so on until we came back to camp. That is if we did it right and didn't get lost. Curtis and I didn't but we spent quite some time locating 2 of the stakes. Our biggest trouble was in estimating the distance. You see, they say your course is 100 miles east of magnetic north and 1700 yards out you will find a stake with your next compass bearing on and also the distance to the next stake. It is rather hard to take the same length step over rough ground, up and down hills, so a couple of times we thought we should be to our stake when we were several hundred feet short and being small the stakes were hard to find but we did it and got back in time for dinner. Two sets of boys did get lost and had to be hunted up. I was having a lot of fun. I always did want to know how to use a compass. That is probably Greek to you but it may give you an idea.
Thought I was going to be interrupted. I just got a call from the Sargent in charge of quarters. We call them C.Q. to report to him at the orderly room. I wondered what I had done to get called on the carpet and all he wanted was for me to take his place for a couple of hours, while he went to the show. So you are reading a letter written on the first sargent's desk at headquarters. He also left me three bottles of beer and some peanuts. Pretty classy for a buck private. My only duties are to turn off the lights in the barracks at 9:30 and to act smart if anyone comes in for information. There has to be someone on duty all night at headquarters and if the sargents want to leave they have to get someone to take their place. I don't mind. It gives me a nice quiet place to catch up on letter writing and seeing as how I am not a bit tired I won't miss the sleep either. He will probably be back by 10:30. In the old days that would be very early for me to go to bed. I am getting adjusted to the army hours and have not been going to bed so often at lights out and still feel just as good the next morning. Guess the old man is getting tough enough to take it again. On the mornings they don't get us up earlier than 5:30 it isn't much different hours than when at home so I shouldn't have to go to bed at 9:30.
I guess maybe I didn't sleep so well being away from your comforting presence. I miss your nice big butt pressing against my back. I could even forgive you for nearly shoving me out of the bed with it. I'll have to quit thinking about it, it riles me up just like it used to before we were married. I thought I was past that stage but I guess not anymore. I think I'm going to like you a lot when I come home, so be prepared. I'll be a wild man, bet I could even take a bite out of you.
From what you say about the weather it sure must be a backward spring. Wish I could send you some of the excess heat from here. The last couple days have been swell here, not over about 85 and with a cool breeze. It sure has been dry, not even a drop of rain for three weeks and are things dry, dust a couple inches deep all over. I'm begining to think La. should do like California and advertise continous sunshine. I haven't even seen a cloud for three weeks. It is acting a little like rain tonight.
I don't think I told you what took place at the bowl Tuesday night. We first had a lecture on why we are in this war. They have a very clever arrangement of lectures and picture shows, designed to build up a hate for all the Axis powers. The reason is obvious. A lot of it is very interesting and informative especially the shows. We had one picture a week ago that really made me sit on the edge of my seat. Title, " The Nazis Strike At Poland" It was really good. Some of this stuff is restricted so I can't say anymore about it. After the lecture they put on a display of pyrotechnics, fireworks to you, as used for signals in the army. Different colors of rockets, flares, and parachute flares used to light a large area so enemy troops can be seen. Very much like a large 4th of July display, and after that they had a battery of 37 M.M. guns shoot a barrage of shells over the bowl. It sure gave me a thrill to hear those shells scream overhaed, just like they sound in shows, and explode in the woods in back. They do things like that to acustom us to the sound of shell fire, so we won't stand with our mouth open when and if we get into actual battle. That was one bowl formation I really enjoyed a lot.
Well guess I will quit wasting my time writing to you and see if I can answer one or two of the others I have gotten. That last statement was all B.S. I would a lot rather write to you, you old darling but I seem to have an obligation to a few other people. That's what you get for having so poular a husband. I didn't know I was until you told me but the letters I get seem to bear you out so at the risk of being egotistical I will believe it. I love you honey.
Just turned the lights off on the boys. Night honey. I will write agsin as soon as I can. I'll soon have to think up some new ways of telling you I love you. The old phrases will be getting old and loose their punch. That would never do. I'll have to keep you interested so you won't look around and see something better than I. I know you won't but I'll try to keep you interested anyhow. I may even have to copy a few phrases from some of the other boy's letters I see. So far they have all been my own.
I love you so much I just seem to be able to write a sort of love letter without any practice. I'll try to improve. "Night mummy" "Oh hell I ain't ready to go to sleep yet are you?" Remember conversations along similar lines, and then I would roll over against your back and hug you. You know what happened then. Here's to the good old days when they come back again and they will, better than ever.
I was going to stop writing a page ago but here I am. I just can't leave you alone. You are so darn nice I even hate to quit writing but here goes. Night mummy dear, will see you again.
your loving soldier boy.
Norm
XXX a couple good old kisses, feel them? I can almost. Sound like a damn kid with his first girl don't I? I don't care you are my first and only girl you know.
More love.
Norm

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Letter # 22 May 5, 1943

May 5, 1943
7:00 Wed evening
Hi Sweetheart;
Got two more letters from my "Tootsie Wuggles" today. The ones you wrote on the 1st & 2nd, you must spend all your spare time writing to me. What if I'm not worth it? I think I am. I'm sweet and I love you like hell, worthy of you or not. Like most of my letters I don't know just when it will be finished, I have to go to the dispensary for another shot in a few minutes and I may not get any more time to write tonight.
I took your tip and wrote a card to Kelly. Couldn't say much and don't know what I would have said if there had been more room, so it is practically nothing but card and address.
As for what I will do after basic training I haven't the least idea and I doubt if anyone else has either. It will undoubtably be easier after basic because we will be more settled and probably have a job to do and learn all there is to know of that one job whatever it may be. There are rumors that our basic will end before the 13 weeks are over but that is only rumor so I know very near nothing. We'll just have to wait and see.
You spoke of Bob being selfish and not knowing he is in the army. He has lots of company. Nearly all the young fellows here are always sending home for money and then they just loose it in craps or a card game and I imagine that is Bob's trouble too. There is nearly always a game of some kind in progress as long as anyone has any money. Like Bob Hope says, " I found the deffinition for barracks: a
A crap game with a roof over it" Very nearly true.
I wonder if Thurston Berry was moved also. I wrote to Barry & Ritter a long time ago but have had no reply.
While I think of it, don't be concerned if sometime soon you don't get any letters for several days or a week. They may at any time and on 5 minutes notice take us on an extended bivouwack trip. I don't know about the spelling of that word but I guess you can get the meaning. We have had orders to keep our field equipment in shape to move out at any time, so I rather expect it. We may get a chance to mail letters but I don't know. Just be prepared and don't worry.
I certainly could recognize the flowers and wish I could be there with you to see them. I think it is mostly to see you instead of the flowers.
You also said something about not complaining about anything as long as we could be together. Very sweet and makes me feel good but I don't remember that you ever did much complaining. A little at getting up and a little because I didn't tell you I loved you often enough, but that is all I can remember. You were very sweet even if I didn't appreciate it all I should have, maybe I will when we get together again.
So you are wearing my pajamas to keep warm. Shows you must not have another man in bed with you anyhow, or else he must be a poor excuse and not worthy of the priveledge. Yes, I think I would even let you lay against me all night but I don't know about the sleeping part. After nearly 6 weeks I think I could keep you busy for a part of the night at least, and resume in the morning if you could get in the mood. I bet maybe even you could do that or don't you miss me that much. I love you more and more and have gotten to be a real mail hound, always on hand at mail call and so anxious to read your letters I read them before I even move from the spot and they always come first no matter how many others I get. You are a very sweet letter writer and even though you say you don't express yourself very well I can read a little more between the lines and imagine any that might be missing. I love our letters nearly as much as you, they are your representative.
I haven't been able to keep your letters because of lack of room and I don't think it necessary to keep them as evidence. I know damn well you love me and will continue to, so there too.
As for the cigarettes and matches, there are plenty of them handy and they only cost $0.12 a pack. I'll let you know if I need anything. I think I have been depending on you quite a lot already haven't I ? and you do a good job every time. You are sweet and I love you to pieces.
Very glad to hear you are getting along so well financially and with the gasoline also. You ought to get a check from the government by the middle of the month to add to your collection. Looks like you are doing so much better by yourself than we did together, maybe I had better stay away. You would have a hell of a time keeping me away after they turn me loose from the army. You're a sweet devil.
About the water heater, it is turned quite high but I don't believe it would have any effect on the bill to turn it down. They probably didn't read the meter this mo. but just based it on the previous mo. so I would wait for the next one before saying anything. If you want the heater turned down get either Harold or Carl to stop and do it for you.
So you are becoming plumber and general handyman about the house. Good for you. I am becoming more and more proud of you all the time. The only thing is maybe you will become so good you won't need me to take care of you anymore and that would be hell. Maybe you could just play helpless and let me take care of you anyhow.
Well this is a little short but I have to shower and shave yet so I guess I better leave you for tonight. Night tootsie. I am looking forward to the day when I will say that while laying beside you again. I love you georgeous and always will. I'll show you too so you can't have any doubts. Another kiss and "goodnight". I was tempted to kiss your picture.
Your loving husband,
Norm.
P.S. Here is a little poem I thought you might enjoy.