April 11, 1943

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m sorry not to have written sooner, but this past week has been a most exhausting one. I’ll try to let you in on the events beginning with last Saturday, a week ago. We had a review, which is one of those things you see in the movies, where everyone is lined up and the officers come by and size you up and down. It was a bitter cold day and there was a sharp wind blowing off the water. The college campus is opposite a huge reservoir, it looks like a lake it’s so large, well anyhow we stood there facing that wind from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. We were all so frozen that when the order came to march we thought our legs would break off at the ankles. When we got back to quarters my hands were swollen to twice their size and were the prettiest shade of blue. Then that afternoon we had liberty as you know. The girls in my room had suffered so in that weather they stayed home the rest of day. Lassie, the girl who is an artist, just cried hysterically when she got home. She’s a very sensitive sort of girl and any hard-ships like that really knock her out. I went out cause I thought we had been stuck around here too long without any freedom. I told you how some of the other girls in the apt. and I went and bummed around Radio City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, went through the dept. stores, had a good dinner and returned early. Sunday, we had a very lovely church service which was broadcast over the radio. I was hoping you were listening, but I guess not. Then in the afternoon I met the girls. Kay Furey really is quite glamorous looking. You know the one thing I noticed so much about them (the girls and Kay) they had a decided accent, in fact they sounded like these New Yorkers that the girls around here have been making fun of. I didn’t believe that I talked differently when I went west, but I see now I probably did. I enjoyed seeing them beyond words. Monday we had our 3rd typhoid shot which really sort of got me this time. I think that was due to the fact that I was sort of run down. That deal Saturday really fired me up with a bad cough and a head cold which I can’t seem to get rid of. All week we have had a solid program of lectures. They have called us together a number of times this week to give us the good news about the program of the war. The officers really are excited about it and so are the girls. It does make a spark of bright light come on the horizon, doesn’t it? Thursday our platoon was put on special duty. To other girls and me were detained to exchange linen in one of the apartment buildings. We picked up the dirty linen and put down fresh, on three floors. It was quite a hard, tiresome job, and the girls and I were quite willing to return to our apts. at 5:30. Yesterday we again had an 8 hour liberty. It was a grand trip, although it was a tough climb up the 2 floors of spiral staircases. We took another tour of some of the fashionable department store and viewed the spring styles. Then we had a delicious dinner at Schraft’s, which I couldn’t taste because of my cold and returned home. By the way I bought an evening paper which has some swell pictures and an article about Helen Jacobs. I will send it to you as soon as I can. I think I’ll send it 3rd class and roll it instead of bending it all up. I’d like you to save the article for me as it’s something I’ll want to remember. I don’t know whether you have been saving my letters or not but I wish you would save those I wrote while in boot camp because I will enjoy reading them later. Gosh, I nearly forgot yesterday morning we had another review and Mayor La Guardia was guest of honor. He said it was “thrilling”. Well I must say we do look pretty sharp in our uniforms. They say there are some pictures in today’s newspaper which I will try to get and send you. By the way, Virginia took some pictures of me last Sunday. I hope they turn out good. Ever since I’ve been here I’ve just yearned for a camera there are so many places I’d like to have pictures of, and also the girls and the officers. This morning a lot of the girls were taking pictures of Miss Bosier and I was envious. In about 15 minutes we are going to have a picture taken of our platoon and Miss Bosier is going to pose with us, so I will get a picture of her after all. Did I tell you we got her back as company commander as soon as we went of special detail. We were all so tickled. Yesterday she was so cute, she was kidding us about our marching and said we always do so well when we marched to mess, she thought she ought to put a lamb chop near the reviewing stand so we would march better.

Just returned from having our pictures taken. I think they will be quite cute. We wore our white hats and gloves, but they would not let Miss Bosier have hers taken with us. A couple of other girls took pictures of all the girls in my apt. in a group so hope to get some prints.

We are going out sometime this week, still don’t know where, but they may not tell us until we get on the train. We start wearing our white hats and gloves in another week. Wonder where I will be then.

Sorry you have so much trouble with Kippy. Dad mentioned something about getting some horsemeat for him, was he successful?

How is rationing coming? I feel almost guilty when I think of the civilians as we have great bowlfuls of butter on our table, lots of meat, coffee, and sugar and plenty of eggs. Any say have we had good apples since we’ve been here. I certainly do enjoy them. I hope I can buy a big bagful before I leave.

Did my clothes arrive and how much was the package. I will reimburse you. I like my permanent ok but of course I haven’t had it set since I had my permanent. However it curls up ok.

The pictures Helen sent were taken on a girl’s camera over in her side of the building. They were all right but I decided I didn’t care for any.

Well, Mommy, congratulations on getting your cross, there’s always a satisfaction in wearing something you’ve earned as I’ve found out. I’m very proud of you and don’t give up the good work, mustn’t rest on your laurels you know.

As far as my money is concerned I haven’t had enough to worry about so far. We received one $20.00 bill. Tomorrow we will get $120.00 of which I suppose they will take $100.00 for our uniforms, which will have us $20.00 again. We received one $100.00 bill about 4 weeks ago and carried it about 6 feet to turn over to the tailors as part payment on our uniforms. We really should keep part of this $100.00 as reimbursement for our shoes, stockings, gloves, etc. but I doubt if they will let us keep the money. I bought two more navy blue work shirts. They are $4.35 a piece, which is sort of high I think, as soon as we start wearing our white toppers I’ll have to buy another one as they will soil quickly and cannot be washed.

Dad, you asked if I had gained any weight. I have a little, but don’t know exactly how much. However Ruth seemed to think I looked heavier.

I think you had better not send anymore letters to this address as it will take quite a while before they forward them. I will send my new address as soon as I know. The girls seem to think it will be Oklahoma. I will be disappointed if so but I guess I can take it.

Well, looks like I’ve run out of news again so will say so long for a while.

                                                                                    Hugs, XXXXXXXXXX

                                                                                                Lorraine

P.S. Sure I read both of your letters all right. My handwriting isn’t much to brag about either it’s getting worse the more I write.

                                                                                    L.