Thursday

[March 18, 1943]

Dear Mae:

Your letter arrived at a most unexpected time- that is, I was giving thought to you and intending to write. Since we were out on maneuvers it was impossible to write sooner but am taking this first chance to write.

So glad to know you are well and enjoying your work. It must be very interesting and it is a swell movement- entertaining service men. I’m sure Cleveland’s “Stage Door Canteen” is the best- judging from your buildup. I regret that our relationship has been as it has for the past months- otherwise I most likely would have visited the ‘Canteen’ as it is now Mae, my future is confined strictly to the U.S. Army. I can’t make a move without consent from headquarters. Even these past weekends we have had to give an explanation of where we intended to go etc. concerning O.C.S. - I’m ready for it, and am waiting for my call. Oh what studying I’ve had to do here at O.C.S. prep. Then too, I’ve had to go all over basic training along with specializing on gunnery- anti aircraft or that!!! It was my sincere wish when I entered the army that you would give me your whole- hearted support and spiritual lift- something I needed- but you know what you did, Mae. I certainly didn’t use tact probably in handling our own situation and possibly had it coming to me. However, as I’ve said repeatedly, I wanted you to understand and try and see my point- but you didn’t. It was really rough on me for as while but as time went on there was only one thought I would entertain- chiefly, that you had met someone you liked, a most common recurrence and nothing to be surprised at. You do have such an engaging personality. Consequently, I accepted this thought and reluctantly took it on the chin- hoping at least that you were happy. Also, I argued that I had learned a lesson, or was I wrong? Truthfully I was never prepared mentally and spiritually to enter into marriage with you at that time. Marriage is really sacred and loveable. I was suspect. I needed help and understanding. Well, I’ve worked it off Mae, but I did try to work but an agreeable solution to our problem first. I never had another woman- sincerely!! I wanted you to act and you did it. About a month ago, while trying to get a change in Milwaukee, I did meet a very nice young lady. Since meeting her our friendship has developed into one beautiful companionship. She also possesses the fine characteristics you have and, to me, is so grand I am really serious about the girl. She feels exactly the same way May- consequently we have made our limited meetings just priceless. I’ve just gone all out for the girl and can’t help it. She has given her love and help I needed. It is wonderful Mae. I didn’t go out looking for someone, matter of fact, it would have been better maybe if I could have gone over seas with as little on my mind as possible. However, since the cause of a soldiers life is so uncertain, as in all wars, and since I do want to enjoy some of the beautiful thoughts in life, I am going to ask the girl to marry me. I guess she expects it, anyways. Frankly, we have both felt that fate brought us together- ever since our initial meeting. It is not a question of a homesick solider feeling in love with the first girl that came along. She is fine and I have weighed the situation- giving it much consideration. I have met several of her friends and she has been here to the ‘Service Club’- at our dances etc.

Mae, believe me, I didn’t want this, but here it is. Oh, I had wished that you would have come around to my point. If I didn’t care for you as I do I certainly wouldn’t be writing as I am but want you to understand what has happened.

It isn’t customary for a man to ask a girl to send a ring back- but I am forced to do it. A soldier’s pay isn’t much, otherwise I wouldn’t ask this. We have always been pretty frank with each other and I wish you would do this for me, Mae. If you are the type of person I think you are, I think you will. It isn’t asking too much, is it? If you do as I request it will leave me with so much higher an esteem for you- if you don’t, resentment and a tendency to think you are selfish- but I know you are not.

Well Mae, this letter might be a bit startling to you and I hope to hear from you in the future. This world is ever changing, just full of hands hips, sacrifice, and grief. I do hope that when it is all over everyone can resume a natural course of living and enjoy the life God intended for us. Right now, it is pretty much of mess. I’ll just wait anxiously for you to write Mae and do hope you will do that favor I ask of you immediately.

Walt