Dec 23-42

Dear Mae

I received your letter and feel ashamed that I did not reply sooner. We have been very busy with the banned of late a lot of drilling with the reserve officers. We have been on the air for the past three months W.E.A.F. 11-30 to 12 Sat a.m. playing light stuff with talking and recruiting in between.

Last Thursday Dec 17 Walter went away to the army. Fort Devens Mass the induction centre and now is on the way to some other camp which we will know in a few days as his civilian clothes have not yet arrived. Richard is still at Duke he is home now on a short vacation/ he joined the army air corp reserve on Nov 23 at Raleigh N.C. At present he is inactive active but will be called I believe between Jan 1 and May 20 when his semester is over.

Naturally Mom is a bit broken up the same as thousands of others. Mae its hard for me to explain Walter’s actions. As we are his parents we feel sad about the affair. I know you will believe us when I state we think and thought a great deal of you and I assure you that we did not butt in or influence either you or Walter. When you vested us last Decoration Day we saw a different Walter, his actions toward you and the shrill cold when we went to Gramps up to the Lake. The climax came when he didn’t even show up the Sunday that you went home – that will linger in my memory a long while. As long as he felt that way towards you and no doubt you must have felt that his love was no longer sincere I believe it was the best way for both to forget. Children are responsible for many of their parents headaches & heartaches but regardless they still are their children. Have faith in yourself and others. The sun always shines after a storm. I want to thank you for your thoughtful birthday card – just 50, also the many fine things you mailed us on different occasions. I only hope this letter will not seem to cold as it is the most difficuly I ever tried to answer, but im sure you will understand.

Well Mae I did give your best regards to our family and will always have a pleasant memory of you write when you can. Mom & I wish you a healthy & happy New Year also from Rich as ever.

Walter pop.