Somewhere in N.W. Africa

October 13, 1943

8:30 p.m.

Hello Darling:

How’s my sweetheart tonight? Darling I can just see your smiling face now, as I come in the door. Someday I will see that little face, even though now the nearest I come to it, is dreaming. I sure wish our mail would come through. I haven’t had any for about 2 weeks. I received a letter from Larry Jones and he said he had heard that “Al” Wright had lost an arm. I certainly hope it isn’t true and I don’t think it is, at least I hope it is not true.

How are the children dear? I hope keeping very well and not too mischievous. How’s Merrill getting along in school? I hate to ask so many questions but I am starved for news of you and ours. Gee, I bet the kids are growing like weeks and I hope you, maybe, are gaining a little weight. Sweetheart please try to, and don’t worry too much, everything will be all over before long now. I don’t see how it can possibly last, through another year. I am fine physically, except we are getting those shots again and my arm is a little sore. You know that same old arm which you used to like around you so much. But by the time we are together again, it will be ready for action. The weather has been fine lately, not too cold, not too warm. We have heard from the rest of our battalion, it is in England. I sort of feel I am as well off as anybody, because we couldn’t be more comfortable. I mean if we have to be anywhere, this is as good as any place to be.

How are you making out with the feed problem? Who is getting the chicken feed for you? I sort of feel Barclay was very foolish to quit school. Is Bill still working for your father? Honey I just am crazy to hear from you, you don’t know how not hearing anything, can prey on ones mind. I just keep hoping each day to get it but lately all I draw is “no mail today,” all the rest of the fellows are in the same boat. I’ll bet it’s pretty at home now, with the leaves falling, and coloring up, the old pheasants crowing out in the field. Merrill calling, did you get anything daddy? And you coming out of the house all eyes, and thinking of a nice juicy pheasant in the pot. I pray for the old days to hasten their return. I have prayed more hear than ever before. I think it has helped me plenty.

Please read this little note to Marion, she won’t understand but I will feel better.

Dear little daughter, this is from that old fellow you know as daddy. I guess you wonder where he is keeping himself. Well it is not his choosing to be away from you, but someone else’s, someone you will know someday as our country. You will never realize how great that country America is until you are away from it. Daddy is helping keep it that way for you and Merrill and your children to be. It will be a much greater country when this is all over just as your daddy will be a much better daddy. I miss you so much, your little kiss, your little hands, and you. Daddy wishes you the happiest of birthdays and hopes until he is no longer needed on this earth to ever miss giving you these greetings in person. I wish I could send you a little remembrance, but right now, due to existing conditions, I can’t. It is up to your dear little mother to make that up for me. I send you lots of those little kisses you like, and a big hug, and a very special prayer for you, just as I said for mother and you that day you came upon this Earth, that day which seems so long ago.

Dear Merrill: Even though this is Marion’s birthday, and I hope you helped her blow out the candles on the delicious cake I know your mother cooked, I must say something to you. Love, I know you are going to school now, it is the most eventful start of your very young career. It might seem boring at times, but don’t let it get you down. Learn all you can because school days are the shortest days of your life. I hope even though you have a busy day, you find time to help mother in the evening. She needs all the help your little hands can give her. Don’t forget to keep an eye on those pheasants, because we will be going after them soon as I get back. You will have to help mother look after sister, because you are the man in the family now. Take good care of yourself and our family, until daddy comes home to take over where he so abruptly left off. We didn’t get to know each other very well, because daddy was so busy, but when I get back, we will be together until that time when you make a home of your own. I hope that this issue that is being settled now, will secure your life in nothing but prosperity and happiness. That you, and someday your future wife will not have to go through what your mother and dad are going through now. Goodnight sweetheart, now you go to sleep instead of talking to sister.

Dear Ev. It makes me feel sad to write such things, but someday the kids might want to know what I thought of them. I love you all so dearly, I think of you constantly you are my life. Darling I was never really happy, or contented in my whole life, until you came to me, out of nowhere. I hope I come back to you soon, so soon.

Goodnight dear,
Rol