Athletics Archives - Page 2 of 2

7 January 1943

Dear Folks:

Now that I have my other letters finished I am ready to write to you and get this summary together. Just finished a letter to Dick. With so many away from home now you will almost have to hire a secretary to keep up on correspondence. I feel pretty buoyant tonight all the cause of several things. But the most important was the President’s speech and Halsey’s reiteration of an end in ’43. The speech had a good tone to it and very different from the stalling ones in the past. There should be some momentous undertakings in the next few months. Secondly I went swimming this afternoon, incidentally I believe I had some good shots in the pool and they’ll be yours when they are finished. You should have the others I sent by now.

Yesterday your package with the pipe, pouch and tobacco came and all three are just the thing. If I would say thanks that wouldn’t be near enough. Last night under the auspices of the ‘skypilots’ (chaplains) we had a community sing and general get together. It was a good deal and everyone from the cream to the damp spot in the bottom had a lot of fun. There is a lot of talent in the outfit and the Jewish chaplain is quite a guy. I bought a photograph album the other day and when I finished mounting the pictures I found I had many more than I thought. Quite a collection.

The stationery I had in mind was the airmail envelope and sheet outfit. I haven’t used very much of the V-mail yet.

I hear there is a rubber plantation on the island so one of the first things I want to do next pass day is get a squint at a rubber tree just to say I saw one. I wished you could see what I saw today—the ocean and the landscape, etc. I think it’s really beautiful but maybe I’m just a sentimentalist. I can’t hardly imagine freezing weather. It’s been so long since I’ve endured any of it.

I’m afraid this will have to suffice for tonight. For some reason the day we are all waiting for seems close even though perhaps it isn’t. I have it all planned out.

Love,

7 December 1942

Dearest Folks:

I’ve let you go for three days now, about the longest yet, so I better redeem myself.

Yesterday I got the Thanksgiving box and it was swell. And in the book I found the pictures and the wedding invitation. I’ve been looking at them both about every fifteen minutes—there’s nothing like pictures. And the stationary was just the thing. Then today got a carton of cigarettes from Pat making a total of eleven boxes received. I’m certainly not being neglected. Three days ago I mailed you two boxes, small ones, and a coconut. I’m afraid you might not know what it would be so thought I better tell you. They sell them in the PX and it’s kind of a novelty. Many of the guys paint hula girls and Hawaiian scenes on them.

Well today was the anniversary of the war and the day that shattered my hopes of getting out in a year. Here on the island, as everywhere I suppose, a bond campaign is underway with soldiers and sailors doing the selling. A booth has been set up in the square. I hear the islands doubled their quota. My bonds should be reaching you by now and after December should have, or will have $87.50 worth and $105.00 in allotments. About the most I ever had in a lump sum.

On the island the weather is very good but when the wind begins to blow from the south, it’s a warning that a rainstorm or a cona, as they call it, is ahead. Then it really rains, but with all the rain we had in Nebraska I still like it.

Tonight is a typical night except that we have an unusual duet for entertainment. A guy got a piccolo sized instrument from his wife and another has a beat up Hawaiian guitar—they’re trying to collaborate on “Old Black Joe’. Occasionally they attempt to sing and they aren’t too terrible—now it’s ‘Daisy’.

I took some pictures yesterday of my ball team and some other and I’ll send you them when they are developed. And our team won for (a) change too.

Well this is enough for tonight—let’s hope the war doesn’t have more than one anniversary.

All of you sure seem close to me tonight.

Love,

3 December 1942

Dear Folks:

I’m quite a ways behind in my letters—got a hot full two days ago after the dam broke so I’ll probably be here all night answering them. And today received a telegram from Katie and Tom, sent from Torrington. Hope she has mine by now. I wish I could tell you something that has been happening lately but that will have to be storytelling later. Anyway I was able to sleep half the day, then take a swim in a reservoir. But I still feel like I’d run a marathon foot race. Two nights ago missed a letter to you for writing the news for the paper. The issue today was the sixth. Wished I could get more space. Then last Sunday spent the afternoon watching our ball team get beat again.

With mild weather prevailing here, it’s hard to imagine all of you shivering under overcoats. The flowers continue to bloom and skies to stay blue. It’s much warmer than last winter in Escondido but cool enough to sleep nights.

So far I’ve received three packages from you so I probably have the Thanksgiving box. I mailed two to you today. They weren’t insured and I hope they don’t get broke. I’m going to send some shorts for the kids soon. I know its winter there but they are so distinctive want to buy a couple pairs. And have you received the ones sent about a month ago?

Suppose Gram and Gramp are back on Coronado by this time. Bet you all had a swell time together. And Katie and Tom are deep in the throes of married ecstasy.

Haven’t got the Reader’s Digest yet—hope they start coming soon.

I guess this about covers everything this time. Yes, it would be swell if we could annilate a turkey together next Thanksgiving. Perhaps—who knows?

Goodnight another time.

Love,

24 October 1942

Dear Folks:

You are probably thinking I walked into a switch engine on a dark night by this volley of paper but there isn’t anything to do in the evenings.

Something I just thought of that I would appreciate very much—a subscription to Time and The Reader’s Digest. Reading is the best way I know to spend leisure time.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I’m going to church there in a small Episcopal one in town. Maybe a ball game too and I’m the guy that keeps the score, etc. Last Sunday we got beat 15-0 but we just begun.

Two more letters today but none from you for three days. Suppose they are somewhere enroute.

Well guess this will have to fill the bill this time—after all it was only 24 hours since I wrote you last. Aloha—hate to go to bed—one guy in(the) tent snores and it sounds like a Brooklyn ball game.

Love,

20 October 1942

Dear Dad:

Your V letter caught up with me so to end up another day will answer it now. I’ve been waiting for a letter to tell you that you had received mine and probably by the time you read this you will have a room full. As usual I can’t think of much to write about. Days are about the same with the same routine. I’m acting as correspondent of our battery for the island Army newspaper and spent part of the day writing news and the ballgame last Sunday. We were defeated 15-0 but we’ve just begun to practice. Perhaps yesterday was memorable-my first hot shower since my stay on the island. Received a letter from Gram about Sonny Bennet—have been writing her about twice weekly. Sent a card. Waiting for Bob Hope to come on. Had a letter from Mrs. Carroll giving me Duane’s address. Perhaps I’ll write him. Don’t worry about your literary style, Dad and wear out a few typewritten ribbons.

Love,

10 October 1942

Dearest Folks:

I don’t know how I’m going to fill two pages but at least I’m going to attempt it. I suspect the number one issue is the wedding. Received your letter before I did Katie’s about the event, so it wasn’t until tonight that I answered it. Things like this are inevitable, but now that they are coming into reality for some darn reason, I begin to get sentimental about it all. I wish Katie the very best and I hope their venture turns out with the same success as you and Dad enjoyed. All our squabbles and disagreements don’t strike me as something to be regretted, but rather as something that colored our lives and made the family circle binding and effective. Really regret (that) I can’t be there for the wedding and especially to put my arm around you when you begin to cry after the ceremony, and not least to meet Tommy and get in on the festivities.

I’m the same guy you kissed goodbye in [Camp] Stoneman. Was on pass yesterday and aside from a swim accomplished exactly nothing. Ate a casserole of steaks and sat in the USO building, squalling in the layroom tent now, listening to some football scores to the hit parade. Got my GI specs today—look like an insect with bulging eyes. Good glasses though. Another sheet would exhaust me.

Love,

1 October 1942

Dear folks:

A few more scribblings today while I’m waiting for chow. Pretty hot today but I’m getting browner and feeling better—it must be going to bed every night that is doing it. About every night we’re going swimming in the ocean—we take our mattress covers, fill them with air and ride the waves. Got the letter with Dad’s typing on the bottom. Will write to Katie and Dick soon but I wasn’t sure of their address so skipped it. Been reading some good books that the Red Cross gave us just finished Broomfield’s ‘Green Bay Tree’ and “Long Remember’.

If you are thinking about Christmas I don’t need anything except toilet items and cigarette. I’ll write every day.

Love,

20 September 1942

Dear Folks:

It’s getting pretty dark to write but perhaps I can get it done before it is completely dark. I sent you a letter about a week ago by regular mail and I’m afraid you won’t receive it for some time, so thought I better write another. Well I’m a couple of thousand miles more away from home across a stretch of Pacific in the Hawaiian Islands and what a pretty place—lots of flowers, sugar cane and pineapple. Haven’t seen any hula dancers yet although they gave a show for the troops today. Last night heard a program of real Hawaiian music by some native Hawaiians and it seems much nicer to hear it over here. You’d go nuts Mom over all these flowers and shade trees. For the last few days have been swimming almost daily and this afternoon was no exception. It’s about two miles to the pool but it’s worth it, I mean the walk. Yesterday afternoon there was a dance in a big USO building in a nearby town and to my surprise we were granted passes so we took a bus in and swang a few. Boy what a conglomeration of people—Japs, Chinks, Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans and plenty of half breeds. I think I danced with about one of each. The USO has plenty of facilities for sports so not lacking on that issue. There are several tennis courts, swimming pools, dance halls, bowling alleys and ball diamonds and we’ve had access to them quite often lately. I just got back from swimming about an hour ago and after a big supper feel pretty good. It just started to rain so I had to pull this typewriter into a tent so from the cramped quarters you’ll have to accept a few mistakes. The day after we got here I received a letter from Gladys Davis and of course it was full of news as is Gladys. She told me all about the fellows and the Davis’. Then I also had a letter from you—one you had written before you visited me at (Camp) Stoneman. And a few days back had a letter from Patsy and her flamboyant style makes her letters worth reading. Also had one from Gram that I’ll have to answer tonight. I suppose there are plenty of details you’d like to know about such as crossing and place I’m at but that’s on the verboten list so you’ll have to ask me when I get back. Anyway the important thing is that you have a general idea of my whereabouts. Of course our letters are now censored but that shouldn’t be too much of a stigma although some of the fellows don’t exactly like to have some of their letters read. I’m as well as ever getting plenty of sunshine and exercise and a pass occasionally and all in all it reminds me a little bit of being back in California. Blackouts are every night so I hit the hay early unless I get a show pass. Beer is two bits a bottle and about as weak as pop, but it’s beer. Sleeping on the ground and boxing mosquitoes isn’t exactly home but there are plenty of places that could be worse. Anyway I’m getting used to it after the tenderness left my hips and I got to carving out some hip holes before laying down on my bed. Suppose Nancy and Phil are well along in school by now, with Nancy crazy about it and Dan taking it a little grudgingly. This is a little disjointed and unorganized but for lack of time I’m writing on something that comes to me. Now I’m back in the open again since it’s stopped raining but suppose it will start again. This is the first time I’ve thought about Christmas in September but we better be doing it in order that our packages arrive somewhere near the holiday. I shouldn’t have much trouble finding things over here that you would like. It hardly seems possible that winter is almost here again and that I’ve another birthday coming up but I guess it is. Looks like two Christmases away from home and if I could look forward to being home for it in 1943 I’d be as happy as if it were a furlough. There are some rumors of furloughs after a certain duration in the tropics, if this is considered the tropics, but I know little about it. That’s quite a ways away anyway. It was swell to see you for a few days in (Camp) Stoneman and it doesn’t seem it was a month ago. Bet I had an awkward look on my face when I met you in the visitor’s building. It didn’t seem like it was really you. Is Kate still in Denver and has she heard anything about the navy yet? In a way I hate to see her in the navy but I think it’s a pretty good deal for her. Running out of paper so better pull the curtain. See you in the next letter.

Love,

10 April 1942

Dear Folks:

This is one of those days that are conducive to letter writing and getting undone things done. It has been raining since early and now a little after one it is still coming down and seeming to draw one’s spirit down too. The other fellows are sleeping or writing or just shootin’ the bull over the war or what move we may make next. Usually on Friday afternoons we have organized athletics but because of the weather is has been called off.

Got your box a couple of day ago. It was knocked around pretty much but still intact enough not to lose the cookies. The sweater fits like a Hollywood bathing suit and I’ve already broken it in with the past few nites on guard duty. A piece of clothing other than a GI issue is like a new suit in civilian life. As to my suits for a suit you to want to make for yourself take your pick—except the black one—unless that is the one you especially wanted.

My pocket watch seems accurate and the zipper bag is handy as a toilet closet. I use it every day and have in it my toilet articles that I use to shave, etc. Formerly I had to scoop them up in both hands and hope I didn’t lose anything on the way so it fits the bill well.

This coast patrol guard duty gets a little tiresome trudging in the sand five or six miles a night. The OP (outpost) I am at now is housed in a little building with a fireplace and benches that was formerly used by some wealthy dukes for ‘picnics’ and steak frys after a swim. It is of stone and set between two very large summer homes that are really swanky. There are big places all along the route.

Guess we start getting our raise this month of $42. Hope I can send home some of it. We signed the payroll today.

Got an Easter card from Colson’s.

This is about all there is this time. Los Angeles had a blackout two nites ago.

I would like to call you up sometime soon say about the 19^th—Sunday about 7:30 our time (Pacific Standard Time).

See you in the next letter.

Love,

25 October 1941

Dear Folks:

Although I think you still owe me a couple of letters I’ll write while I have nothing to do. This is Saturday afternoon and a beautiful day here. I just got through playing baseball with my shirt off. It’s pretty hot. Just got out of the shower and sitting around in my shorts luxiously relaxing. Everybody is listening to a radio wondering how their team will come out. Wish I could hear Nebraska.

Haven’t started my radio schooling yet and won’t for a couple of weeks. Since I’ve been here in the specialist battery we’ve been working on an oil mat to drill on. Boy that’s hard work and plenty dirty but it makes me feel good and eat plenty. When the rainy season begins here it rains all the time and the mud is actually on the tops of knee boots. That’s why all the work on the oil matting. Yesterday laid an oil mat for a basketball court. After this is finished I will begin my technical training on radio work. This battery I’m in has quite a good past. Since it was formed nine months ago our battery has never lost the “Best Battery” sign which hangs on our orderly building. It is the best battery in the whole camp and the best in the special battalion. The radio battery of the specialists is considered the best and to have the best and smartest in it. Also our regiment has had the regimental banner 5 out of 6 times. I’m quite proud to be here. The fellows seem to take more interest in things here. Sidewalks have been built up and a lawn and patches of flowers are around the barracks. Also by the mess hall we have a fountain with a square cupola over it plus an old Dutch windmill on top of it. But being in this battery means plenty of work. Friday nights we get on our hands and knees and scrub the floors. On Saturdays the latrine is cleaned. Yesterday I washed windows on the second floor—plenty of them and to think I used to gripe at home to just wash a few. This morning I was latrine orderly and had to polish the bowls and brass til it shone like the sun.

Thursday nite the camp gave a broadcast over NBC but I didn’t go. Don’t know what I’ll do tonight suppose go the show or the service club. This service club is quite a building. In it is a large cafeteria and café, a dance floor and a balcony around it. Also there is a library and a larger fireplace. I have signed up for two night school classes given in the Paso Robles high school. The courses are Spanish and trigonometry but don’t know whether can take trig or not.

My pal now is a fellow who is from Omaha and formerly worked in the War Department finance office. He also is a graduate of Nebraska University in Business Administration. He’s a swell fella and we go every place together. Practically all the fellows in my barracks are from Missouri or Kansas.

All soldiers do get half rates on transportation that is a cent a mile. Also I get a ten day leave at Christmas. I can go to Grandmas if I can’t get to you. It would take quite a bit to come home. I’ve written letters to Grandma but haven’t heard from her. I’ve had some trouble getting my correspondence straightened out after all these changes, however I’ve gotten mail from you, one from Dad (keep ‘em coming) and note from Mom with a buck in it. Thanks so much.

Got a letter from Kate and one from Bill Emick yesterday. Kate didn’t say much though I’ll answer today. By the way I suppose you addressed your letters to me from the card mailed from Leavenworth but be sure and address the rest from the card I sent that is Battery D, 55^th FA Tng. Bn. Use private and not mister.

Guess that’s everything. Say hello to the kids.

By the way I did know Professor Walker very well. Used to wait on him when I worked on “Bucks”.

See you in the next letter.

Lots of love,