Aug 10-43

 

Hello Sweetheart,

            Well Honey I’ll try and scribble a few lines.  I’m here waiting for chow and haven’t anything to do.  Someone has some music on the radio and I’m listening to that to.  I got a big letter today and I am goin to write one big letter for a change.

            Honey you asked me what I did to put in my time when I’m out sending in reports.  Mostly we sleep.  There is always 5 or 7 of us and we work two hour shifts.  We are on 24 hour duty and at the end of 24 hours you get pretty tired.  We are on the lookout from the time the problem starts till it’s over.  Mostly there is only two operators and you might not think it but it can keep a guy busy.  When there is only two of us you don’t get a lot of rest at any one time.  Two hours on and two hours off.  That’s 12 hours a day and with a guys rest all messed up like that you can get pretty mean.  I know.

            Marge I can’t figure out why you worry so much about me.  I’m getting along O.K. or as good as can be expected under the circumstances.  I know you get lonesome to hear from me and I do you too.  Here everything is uncertain.  When we were at camp we had a special routine and out here we never know what’s gonna happen next.  I know how lonesome you are.  Maybe someday I can make up for being away this long.  Don’t worry because it won’t help any, it will just make you feel worse and then you will get nervous all over again.  Just be good and think about all the good times we will have later on after this is all over.  I used to get lonesome like that but it didn’t do any good and I wasn’t any better off afterwards.  Whenever I get to feeling that way I try to do or think of something else.  Sometimes it helps too.

            Marge I’m not changing any.  If I do it won’t hurt me any.  I think I talk a lot more than I used too.  Here in the army nobody is going to look after you.  It’s every man for himself.  Maybe it’s cause I’m and old man now I don’t know.  Here I am 22 and what can I show for it.  Not very much can I?

            I’m sitting here without any shoes on.  My feet get kinda sore sometimes.  I think I’ve a touch of Athletic foot.  Also the poison ivy is on my ankles and my socks irritate it.  T.S.

            Marge you asked to tell you what to do.  I can’t tell you what because I don’t know.  You will just have to figure that out for yourself.  If you aren’t satisfied at your job maybe you can get another.  I don’t like mine but I can’t quit for a while yet.  How much longer I’ll have this job is pretty indefinite.  The news sounds good but for me and a lot more it isn’t what we are waiting to hear.

            I’m about out of B.S. now but Ill write more after I clean up.  Be good and I’ll be seeing you.

                                                Lots of Love,

                                                Ralph

Hello Marge,

            This got kinda damp today.  We had a rain and I never got all my stuff in the dry.  It won’t hurt it to get wet.  The other sheet is worse than this one.  Well honey I started to write a big letter but I’m no further along than before.  Maybe tonight I’ll get one wrote.  I didn’t go out on the radio today.  I traded with another guy for a change.  I’m on the telephone switchboard only 6 hours a day and that’s easier than 16.  Maybe tomorrow I’ll go out.  I don’t know for sure yet.  I pull the 12 to 3 shift.  It will be pretty lonesome but what’s the difference.  I got a couple letters today from you.  I was sorry to hear about the tire trouble.  Well tires won’t last forever.  Maybe your dad can get some from the ration board too. 

            So Kate has a job.  Well tell her not to make the _____ cross eyed.  That would be a good job for me.

            Honey I’ve some work to do so I’ll close this letter before long.  One of these days I’ll surprise you and write you a great big letter.  Marge even if I don’t get much written I still think about you and would like to see you.  Chet got word his wife was sick or something.  They tried to him a furlough but the Red Cross said she was working every day and there couldn’t be too much wrong. 

            Well Marge don’t worry about me cause Ill be O.K.  I love you and always will.  Someday I’ll be back home and then you and I can have some fun.  Just like we used to have.  It doesn’t seem like a year since we were married but the calander doesn’t lie.  Honey I love you more every day and someday I’ll prove that to you.  You’re the sweetest person in the world and I’m proud of you.  Well Marge be good and have a good time at the picnic.

P.S. I got the pictures of you and Kate a couple days ago.

                                                All the love in the world,

                                                Ralph

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