March 6, 1944
Dear Folks:
Today was a
great day as far as mail is concerned-no less than six letters. Ma sent me two of them, one on February 3,
and February 14, Dad on the 14 February, Helen on the 11th and two
others. I enjoyed reading them very much
and reread them a few times. I’ll take
them in order and answer them all if I can.
Ma tells about being at the Foremens Counsel
party and having a lot of fun there. I
don’t know a Mr. Kennedy in the payroll-Ma asked if I knew him or not. I got those air-mail envelopes that Dad sent
and the postcards that Bill Walton sent me of dear old
I am pleased to hear that the goldfish are still racing around the bowl.
Helen’s
letter of the 10th states that she had just started St. Jude’s
Novena for Tom and me. That is very
nice of you Helen and I know your prayers will be heard. Not very many fellows have such a fine
sister. I would have liked to have seen
that basketball game even though
Dad’s letter of the 14th tells about the snow you people had. I hope it wasn’t too deep to shovel Dad. I’m glad Ma found that book from Wrights-I want to keep it as a souvenir of the days when I was a “Leadman” and Simpson was a “Small-boy.”
Dad mentioned about Grandma and Grandpa being proud of us-well Tom and I think they are pretty swell people themselves. I am proud to hear Grandpa’s name. That raise you got will come in handy Dad but it is nothing more than what you deserve. You know the railroad business as well as any of the big manly men do.
Ma’s letter written on Sunday night February 13th tells about all of you receiving Communion for Tom and I. Nothing else you can do will be better for us-your prayers are being heard I know that. Thanks for taking care of that book for me Ma. Say that $125.81 back pay must be like a present from heaven. It is swell Ma and I was pleased when I heard about it. Bonds are a good investment Ma, and your money is safe. $125.00 is sure a lot of money!!
I visited [censored] and had a good time. These English towns are very quaint and very interesting. Everything is very old and substantial looking, very dignified and all that. I like to walk around and see all the little shops-they’re just like you see in the movies, Ma. Most of the boys think you can’t have much fun in the towns but I disagree. I like the old buildings and walked all over the towns. I was going to take in the “cinema” (movie to us) but there was a long “queue” (line) waiting to go in so I didn’t go in. “Andy Hardy” was playing and the movie was about the size of the Capitol, only much older. I took in a dance at the Red Cross instead and had a pretty good time.
There is a movie in our club house at 8 tonight and I’ll be leaving here soon. It is a detective story but it should be good. I like a good mystery.
I am mailing Dad’s pen at the same time as this letter goes. You should be getting it a week or so after the letter. I meant to mail it sooner Dad but I just got the box today. Thanks for the loan Dad.
Red Shelton is on now, I think I’ll listen for a while.
Well everything is still fine with me and I am quite content. Don’t be worrying about me.
Love,
Joe
P.S. As I said before I could use soap, toothpaste and candy. They are pretty hard to get over here. Regards to Aunt Cyrella, Uncle Tom, Aunt Nell and all my other relatives.