Thursday, Aug. 5, 1943
Dearest Mary Bum –
It’s about six thirty now. I’ll have quite a bit of time to write a long letter – I’m in the guardhouse. Don’t be alarmed, we are on guard duty tonight and the guard sleeps in the guardhouse – our barrack on the first platoon drew guard duty for this week. We had to learn to handle the rifle sooner than we expected to. Along with handling the rifle we had to learn our eleven “General Orders.” The inspecting officer asks each one an order- i.e. any one of the eleven. We had to wear a clean uniform, have our hair cut, and shoes shined. I think we made out ok. If we did our Company will receive credit for it- if not it will be just too hard for us. We’ll have some extra duty – if it wasn’t acceptable.
I received your 14th letter today, honey – the one with the delicious kiss- it was the most beautiful impression I’ve ever seen. How did you ever think of doing such a nice thing for me? You are a pretty nice Bum after all.
I went to the commanding officer today – in relation to the form for the AS&R Company – I’ll have to have a form filled out though – As it happened there was a wise corporate in charge and he demanded a form – I thought you could type a form and send it to me- Somewhat similar to the following.
American
Smelting and Refining
(center of Page at top)
Fill in. This is to
inform you that Private Frank A. Delaney is now a member of the armed
forces of the
Company Commander
This isn’t such a hot form I know- change it any way you want to Bum- you might write to the AS&R and Perth Amhoy and ask if they have such a form. The first guard is about over and we have to go out for the second relief –
Just returned from my two hours – I always wondered what it would be like carrying that rifle- now I know – it gets heavier and heavier – you’d swear it was twenty pounds instead of ten – it was nice though walking along. I made believe you were walking along with me – we were talking about the stars and the beautiful sky. You liked the walk very much. Honey I thought I was going to have a lot of time – to write – now someone wants the lights out – I’ll finish this tomorrow
Friday – noon –
We sure had some job – guard duty – I guess we’re all about ready to drop – After returning at 4:00 AM – We slept – until five thirty – then everyone had to get up – out and scrub the guard house. Then to shave – back to the barrack and changed uniforms – formation and then we marched to a lecture, which lasted an hour. More marching and drilling. What did you say, rest? We never rest in the army. Of course it isn’t as bad as that.
I received your 20th letter just a few minutes ago. From what you said, it would seem as though you aren’t receiving or haven’t received any letters from me – there should be two or three either there or on the way. It’s been pretty hard to write every day these last few days – They just keep us stepping all the time – I’m going to try very hard to write everyday after this. You’re a darling to write so regularly. It hurts out here when you don’t get mail – we have to stand on line and go to a mail window – after you’ve waited for half an hour – and find you have no mail you’re pretty blue.
If you make up the form for the Commander to sign – will you send it via Air Mail? I’ll send it back that way – it should save time. I’m terribly sorry I didn’t get it ready before this, but we did have to wait a month before the company would give the money – it’s just about that now –
Misha, this letter sure was written in parts. It’s about ten o’clock now – I just came from a G.I. party – I guess I told you about such parties – We get G.I. soap, brushes, brooms, mops – etc. and scrub the barrack from top to bottom. Now I’m free until eleven o’clock.
I’m going to order your pajamas tomorrow. They are supposed to arrive by the 13th of August. Gee! Sweetheart I’m going to miss not being with you dearest. I’m going to try to get a call through if I can – It will be about nine o’clock if I can make it – Will you be waiting? It takes quite some time to get a call through. So I’ll allow two or three hours. I hope I’m not held up in any way – you never can tell though what will turn up. I’ll move heaven and earth to make the call. I should have ordered your gift long before this but we have been going every minute but I’ll certainly get it off by Monday – If I can’t get a money order will it be okay to write a check – If I have one, as a last resort – I certainly would be glad – glad is so weak for the way I feel – I’d be so happy to be there to present the gift to you dearest Bum – I don’t know how I live without you Misha – I just can’t keep thinking about it or I’ll lose my mind. Every time I think of you I get a lump as large as a baseball in my throat. Even though we are kept busy the time seems to drag – it seems ages since I said goodbye. Bunny – I can’t help it – if a million others can stand it I guess I’ll have to too. I know I’ll never be the same after though.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling so well Bum, though I suppose it just has to be that way. I guess I didn’t tell you before that Julia sent a box of cookies – that arrived at six just before we left. We ate them on the way down – I was sorry I didn’t ask for some of Oscar’s – but I kept hoping so that I’d get home. Out here we really get plenty to eat harrows.
I’m glad Betty is having a nice time – I think the way you treat her will certainly help her. She probably is starved for affection – at home they probably treat her as though she were about fifty and didn’t need affection – and what I suppose is the same thing – understanding – I think your idea of inviting the hays in was very good – It places that relationship on such a friendly basis that all the meanness connected with it is sure to disappear. Tell Betty her letter was very nice. All the fellows wanted to know who my special super lonely way – the red ink no doubt – I soon put them right and they know now that my super delicious lonely sends her letters in blue – You are such a nice Bum Misha – I suppose it will always be that way – I just didn’t appreciate all the things you did – It’s getting into my thick skull just how wonderful you are –
Bye for now Bum – Happy August 13th. If I don’t get a letter or a call through – I’d certainly kiss you and never stop if I only had the chance this August 13th
Your Bonzo Forever