Sunday- Mar 10- 45

My Dear Cora:

I really haven’t meant to be so long in writing you. I kicked myself on our whole trip that I had neglected taking your address with me as I had meant to do, so I could send you a few cards along the way.

I did tell you (didn’t I) that Marian and I left on January 9^th to go to Camp LeJeune to see Jane? She had wanted for so long to share their lovely “home” to somebody in the family and she had been feeling “jipped” out of a furlough because the only one she had had was last May and was anything but what a furlough should be that we decided to go and see her. She was very happy and we were sure thrilled and enlightened as to what those camps are like.

Camp LeJeune especially, being built for the purpose of being used as a permanent Marine base is just beautiful. Buildings are all built of brick, modern to the n^th degree and they just have everything. Swimming pools, theaters, any kind of classes, recreation halls, and anything you can think of. We stayed five days at the Hosters House right on the base which is the last ward in a small Family Hotel. We ate our meals in the Mess Hall and they were perfect. Things we hadn’t seen at home for ages such as all the butter you could eat, steaks etc. Yes and all kinds of chops and the mart scrumptious deserts. We stayed at the U.S.O. for six days after we left the Hosters House – about twenty minutes free ride from Camp but went down there every day any way. We had a grand time.

Then, Jane, Marian and I all went up to Maryland where Jane’s Tommy’s family lives and met them (for six days). They are a grand family. We haven’t met Tommy yet. Him coming from a family like his he must be all Jane claims. They hope to be married next fall if he comes home from Overseas on furlough. Right now his division is on Iwo Jima and we have not heard whether he is [well] at the present time. She says she doesn’t think she can ever care for any other man but I sincerely hope she will change because she is too fine a girl not to ever make some home and family happy with her presence.

I have not gone back to work since we got back mostly because there are a lot of corners I want to browse there while I’m home.

Marian has a new job. She is with the Walman Optical Co. now as a receptionist. She likes it a lot and saves a lot of time in transportation.

Well, that covers us. Now how about you and yours? Suppose Jean is a beautiful young lady now and a constant joy to you.

I never see anyone from 9.H. Often wonder where Margaret Laralds is. So many nurses are going about there people’s work these days. Wish I were thirty years younger. I would take it up.

I suppose your hospital is like all the rest, just a mad house and so much important work to do.

Say Hello to Ruth and family for me also to Kathryn if you still write her.

Oh! A little more about us. Jane just told us a day or so ago. She has just been chosen as one of fifteen girls to model in a Style Show they are going to have. Their clothes will all be designed and made for them in New York. She is quite thrilled and it will be something new and different for her to think about for a while. She has to train for six weeks – she’s a little on the overweight side right now so she has to swim, ride, roller skate, and quite a few things to reduce – oh yes and diet.

Well now you write and tell me all about you all.

Lots of love and good luck

Ethel