Saturday,
1800
Sept.
16 1944
My dearest wife,
To me, my dear it seems like we have a one track mind. We
both have the same feelings about our love. I can’t stop loving you here of
late. More and more every day. The same thing is
happening to you, I take it. You say your heart nearly bursts when you think
back two years. I often thing back too honey, but my heart burst, and I get
cold chills every time I get a letter from you. I so often think of Toledo.
Some day you and I are going back there and walk the same streets, and go to
some of the same places. That is of course if you want to. I enjoyed myself
very much up there. I guess I was one of the happiest guys on the earth when I
was coming to town every night to see you. I was almost sure I would win you,
but I was a bit scared when you refused me before I went home that September,
almost around this time of the year. I sure felt different when I received that
telegram. I never went out with any girls then. I was so darn glad when
we did get it over with, I thought maybe you would
change your mind any day. If we would have just been engaged, I knew it
wouldn’t last long. I don’t think you would have waited for me. I even wanted
to stop coming out to see you, but you wanted me to for some reason. I can
never figure out to this day why you picked me a fat and homely guy for me. As
pretty as you are you could have any man you want or wanted. Can you give me a honest and truthful reason why you stuck with me and married
me? I could go on for days and days just telling you how much I love you, and
what you mean to me. I lived for 22 years without you but I don’t know how.
I’ll bet I couldn’t live another 22 years without you now. A person can’t live
without a heart, and you are in my heart and a very essential part of me.
Without you I am useless and in time I would probably die. I don’t know if all
people are in love as much as we are. We are much more so than when we were
married. Some people are very much in love at first, but it seems to wear off
after awhile. I don’t want out love to ever wear off, I want it just like it
is, or even more so. I’ve always wanted someone to love me the way you do. I
want to be kissed and I want to kiss you as long as I live. It’s been wonderful
being married to you and living with you as much and as long as we possibly
could. I am looking forward now honey to some happier days. We have one lovely
child now and the next will be just as good. To make a long story short, I love
you Marguerite.
Another thing Maggie, you have been doing a wonderful job
at letter writing. You have written to me almost every day since I came back to
this miserable place. I do want to thank you for writing. You couldn’t start to
imagine how much better I feel to get a letter every day – from you.
Maggie, I am going to enclose a schedule I whipped up for
Cincinnati and Indianapolis. There really isn’t too much difference. I don’t
know which is the best place, for I have never been to
Cincinnati. The times are here of when you and I will arrive and depart. The
three day passes may have stopped again, I am not certain, but I could get one
for 60 hours. Leave Friday night and return Sunday night. You tell me where you
want to go. I am leaving it up to you.
We are going out on bivouac next Monday, the 25th.
I don’t know if it will run full three weeks or not. I know we were supposed to
be out for three weeks at a stretch, but it may have been changed to one or two
weeks at a time. Maybe I will be able to tell you more about it in the near
future.
I guess I told you I had my hair cut, Ah it isn’t as good
as I thought it would be. I am glad you are not around. I washed it after I cut
it, and in the morning I looking like a porcupine. It is almost a G.I. It’s a
little too long for a G.I. and almost too short to keep combed. Sometime, I
sympathize with you honey. Don’t be afraid to tell me your trouble if you have
any. I know it is going to be ragged starting life with a big family. There
isn’t anything we can do about it. We just don’t know anybody that has money.
There are better days ahead somewhere.
How does your hair look Maggie? I can just see you now,
as pretty as the day I found you only twice so. You are pretty you know. I love
you.
I just had to take a break from this masterpiece to go
through the barracks to check rifles. In another half an hour I have to turn on
the outside light on the barracks, some fun.
I was looking at some of your pictures that I still have.
I took personal interest in the one I took of you in Indianapolis at the circle
about 22nd of August of last year. On the picture you could have
hardly see that you were pregnant and that was right. When I was home on the 22nd
of the year, you seemed to be much bigger. I don’t know if that means anything
or not. I am still going to be on the alert around December sometime,
that is only three and a half months from now. I don’t think I will be
able to be with you this time being I am so far away. They probably wouldn’t
let me off anyway. I sure hope and pray that I can be there. That is when you
will really need me around, but I guess you could do it yourself.
I was just sitting here thinking, and the more I think
the more lonelier I get for you. It is a beautiful
night out tonight. One of the fellows brought me a radio a few minutes ago, and
the hit parade is on the air. The music they play makes me so homesick. When I
was younger and at home, I always dreamed of going dancing with a girl I loved.
I love modern music so much, when I hear it my feet just want to go. I wish you
would care more for dancing. You don’t seem to care much about it, or maybe I
am wrong. I guess you know how good it feels with nice soft music, you in my
arms gliding over the dance floor. What could be more romantic? Again I’ll say
I love you.
How is the baby getting along with his walking? He is now
8 months old. Four more months and he and I will be older. My
fourth birthday in the service. It’s like being in suspended animation,
four year (almost) of my life wasted. I had so much fun when I was 21 and 22,
now I am pretty much older – 26, almost too old to have any fun anymore. I
can’t act like a boy anymore, and that’s all I was. That’s what can give a guy
the blues. You too should be having fun, I am not only thinking of myself. Our
days of fun are over now. We have a family now, and I guess our place is at
home with them. You are tied down, can’t go anyplace. I guess I’ll have to take
to reading. If we only live in a place where I can keep pigeons I’ll be more
than satisfied. Then you wouldn’t be able to get me away from home. Keep my
mind well occupied, but that too is an expense.
Is the baby going to be left handed? If he is we are
going to let him, and don’t change him like I was. It may be for the best. I
wish I could be home with him now. From now until he is a year old he is going
to be awfully cute. Did you wean him yet? Does he go on his potty? Does he do
any talking? Do you love me?
This is going to be a masterpiece.
Frank Sinatra isn’t such a bad singer. He is singing now,
“I’ll Walk Alone”.
I was thinking the other day. Do you still smoke? I wish
you would stop. I have no right to tell you too you know. I am just thinking of
you and the children. I guess most of the modern housewives smoke now days.
Perhaps I am too old fashion.
I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to buy you an
anniversary gift. I am going to give you money. You know better than I what to
get. You’d better think about getting your wrist watch. Lord knows when you’ll
get it when I come home.
Just thought of another thing I love you my darling
Maggie.
Would you like one of those new field jackets, or are you
satisfied? I got myself another dozen undershirts, but this time I have the
O.P. collar. Don’t like them very much, but they would be alright for work.
I think this just about concludes this little note honey.
I am just about all out of breath. I can’t think of anything else to say. This
is the longest letter I ever wrote in my life. You’d better keep it.
You don’t think I am too mushy do you? I love you so much
and I can’t help it. It just keeps coming out of me like sweat on a hot day.
Goodnight for now Maggie. I’ll write again tomorrow.
You have me under your skin,
Love,
Pres
P.S. Can you top this Yes – I
love you.