notsofancynancy

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 24, 2013

World War II Chapter 48, White Cliff’s of Dover

World War II

Chapter 48

White Cliff’s of Dover

Service Platoon Men in the back of the truck, Duke in seat and Keller on hood

Service Platoon Men in the back of the truck, Duke (dog) in seat and Keller on hood (William G. Price, Sgt. Joe Sill, John A. Keller)

Right now Dad’s division is in a bivouac (temporary camp) near St. Clair France and the Quartermaster seems to be moving along with the 35^th Infantry. Dad is still wondering why he is not getting the mail as he thinks it should come. My parents are expecting their first child expected in January of 1945. Although he is not talking about it the war is raging all around him. It is really hard for me to think this young man will become my father, the wise old man who helped raise my daughter.

2 August 1944, Near St. Clair, France

Gosh Mommie today seemed long. No mail. It didn’t come and even though we knew none much would come and we always look for it. I dug up some of your old letters and read them again. I have read them a couple dozen times but I always like to read the part where you say you love me and such. Gosh Mommie without that I guess I wouldn’t get along. I love you so much. So are treating Junior with the greatest care? Boy you better. I’m certainly looking forward to an off spring about Jan. I know you are though. Sweet only I had to have something to say and that was one thing on my mind. Oh! Yes I have a two tracked mind now. You and Junior. And I spend most of my time thinking about you. And the rest of the time I spend trying to keep someone from bothering me so I can keep my mind on my work. Well Mommie I guess it’s about getting time. So I better tell you how much I love you. Of course I can’t in one letter. I guess that is why I write some in each. I do love you very much my Darling wife.

3 August Quartermaster (QM) moved to bivouac area approximately four miles SW of Torigni. Billeted in “Cheteau de Breuilly.” (From “Various stations and areas occupied by the 35^th Quartermaster since entry into federal active service” provided by Marvin Cain’s Family)

French Wheat Field

5 August QM moved to bivouac area approximately eight miles NW of St. Pois, France in a wheat field

3-4-5 August , Near St. Pois, France

Hi Honey, Hows [sic] every little thing. I’m sorry honey I haven’t written the last two nights but I’ve been on a couple late details and have been awful tired when I come in. So have gone to bed and neglected you. Ain’t I awful though. I hope you will forgive me sweet. I’ll do better now for awhile. Have caught up on everything including my sleep. Bob and I have finally found us a mascot. A small bull calf. Its about 2 months old and just as tame as can be. I wanted a heifer but we couldn’t get near one of them. Gosh haven’t you gotten any of my mail yet from the 29^th. God honey there’s no reason it shouldn’t have been coming right straight though. Everybody back home has been hearing from us. Why shouldn’t you. Your last letter reached me in 6 days but I didn’t get any written from the 20^th to the 28^th. So I hope I have some coming yet. They’ll be here one of these days I guess. I sure would like one of those colored pictures if you have any two about alike. I’ll bet they are nice. The ones Ben got are. I guess I better stop. I ran out of ink and Bob doesn’t seem to be here so I’ll have to finish in pencil. I guess I can say I love you in pencil as well. I do love you my darling wife. Very much

6 August QM moved to bivouac area about four miles south of St. Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France-35 Division was place under Third Army after being under the First Army since arrival in France.

Hardcourt (I guess) France (35) (35th QM Area, Hardcourt-Cai

Hardcourt (I guess) France (35th QM Area, Hardcourt-Cain)

7 August, Near Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France

Well Mommie I didn’t get to write last night. We had to work again. Don’t know Mommie. I’m looking forward to getting letters from you then don’t get to write. It hasn’t been my fault though. We have been having extra work to do. I got a letter from Mom yesterday and one from you both today. Mom’s one was awful late. It was written July 10 and today’s was the 25^th. Gosh I was glad to get them though. I was just tired enough and run down that I really enjoyed them. Just like cups of coffee at midnight. Only much sweeter. I don’t like sugar in my coffee. I have seen several Gildersleeve pictures. He is usually on with Fiber McGee and Molly. I guess he really wasn’t stared in them. Don’t remember seeing Gene Kelly though must be something new. Honey didn’t —yes I guess we did. Gosh I’m still about run down. I bet this is going to be an interesting letter. Lucille had written that Mike had been in the hospital once but never did say anything else. Guess I just haven’t heard since. Maybe I haven’t written I don’t know. I am not about to be worrying my brain with it tonight anyway. Mommie I’m about to go to bed tonight. So I’ll say I love you very much. I only wish this damn war was over so I could get home to you. I love you my Darling. I love you so much.

According to the Combat Chronicle after mopping up in the Saint-Lô area, the 35^th Infantry took part in the offensive action southwest of Saint-Lô, pushing the Germans across the Vire River, 2 August, and breaking out of the Cotentin Peninsula. While en route to an assembly area, the Division took part in the attempt to stop Operation Luttich, secure the Mortain-Avranches corridor and to relieve the 30th Division, which was taking a severe beating from the Germans’ assault, 7–13 August.

9 August, Near Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France

My Darling Wife, Well I used to do this back in the states. Lay on the nice green grass and write I mean. Don’t know though I seem to be all out of (unreadable) I didn’t get to write again last night. I’m sorry again honey. But the Army says work before pleasure and don’t they mean it now days. Yes honey I do feel happy about Junior. Gosh I am getting to feel like a Dad already. Believe my hair has even turned a little lighter. (Could be the sun you know) I am happy about it though. And have been doing lots of day dreaming myself. I love you darling. If I keep up I might get a couple of pages filled tonight. I have squeezed and used that old line but no news will come out. I guess I’ll just have to string you along Mommie. Oh guess what. Bob and I fixed potatoes just like I like them. Someone had dug them and left them so we grabbed a couple big ones and lit up the stove and boy were they good. First time I had spuds like that since I quit cooking. Maybe we will try again tonight. I’m getting darn hungry. You know Honey if we get enough sunshine I might get a tan too. I don’t know though. It’s hard to do. Vitamin D would do you lots of good Honey. Does that sound strange. I mean with Junior and all.

St Jean, France

10 August, Near Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France

Gosh Mommie paper with lines. Maybe you will be able to read my letters without standing on your head. No remarks about my writing either. You can write and be comfortable at the same time. And now I am trying to do both. Going to see my congressman about that too. Remember all those blackout drives I used to talk about. Well I went on the mother of them all last night. Had a dry run and drove around all night. There was only myself and driver. We had a time. Got back at 6 this morning and went to bed. I guess I slept to [sic] much or to [sic] hard anyway I sure had a headache now. Not a hangover either. Mom asked if they censored your mail to me. As yet none has been. Guess they do spot censor one now and then. I haven’t heard of anyone who has had even that done. How is Junior lately Mommie. I told Bob about it. He wrote and told Madeline and she said that it was nice. She asked if you were excited. I don’t know what he answered but I am. All I can talk about now is us. Of course I’m like you. I have kept it a secret (except Bob) so we have our nightly chats. Well honey I guess I am all run down now. Going to find something to eat and go to bed. Won’t be bad for a change.

11 August, Near Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France

Hi Mommie, How’s Junior? Fine I hope. Papa is. I got a letter from you today. Came through in 10 days so that’s not so bad. Gosh was I glad to get it too. Cause I’ve in a mood to eat 40 fellows and try to take on a couple more. Sure wish I was with you and everything was as nice as is now. Gosh could we have fun. Green lawn the sun just set. Its cool and all that just one of those romantic evenings and I sure would like to make love to you. I just made my bed so now as soon as I finish I can run and jump in. I’m tired. Bob and I had lunch again last night and I couldn’t sleep. You know what I would like to do Honey. I would like to be with you and dance and dance. I saw a sign today Dance and Ping Pong. Man did my feet get itchy. It reminded me of the USO when you, Ben, Ann and I were there. Them were the days. I saw the White Cliffs of Dover Honey. It was good. I can agree with you everywhere. Only when I saw them I didn’t cry.

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia

I did not know there were actually “White Cliffs of Dover.” According to Wikipedia:

The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs which form part of the English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. The cliffs are part of the North Downs formation. The cliff face, which reaches up to 350 feet (110 m),^[1] owes its striking façade to its composition of chalk accentuated by streaks of black flint. The cliffs spread east and west from the town of Dover in the county of Kent, an ancient and still important English port.

Listen to Vera Lynn sing The White Cliffs of Dover

Written in 1941 the song touched many with its wartime lyrics.

There will be blue birds over

The white cliffs of Dover

Tomorrow, you just wait and see.

There’ll be love and laughter

And peace ever after

Tomorrow, when the world is free

Lyrics by Nat Burton, music by Walter Kent, 1941

I don’t know about you but it brought a tear to my eye. Interesting enough while researching the song I found that France does not have bluebirds. An interesting tidbit to file in my fun fact folder.

Back to Dad’s Letter,

You say you were down in the dumps. Gosh so have I been. I told you about that though. Seems around here the harder you work the more they chew. They wouldn’t be happy if you were perfect. Probably they’re so dumb they wouldn’t know the difference anyway. I love you so much. Wish I was there. I love you.

12 August, Near Hilaire-du-Harcouet, France

My Darling Wife, Gosh Honey do I rate with you. Three letters today. I knew I had them coming only didn’t know when they would get here. So tonight I’m contentedly happy. Your mail isn’t coming as you write it. I got one today from the 24 July and the 4 of Aug. and I have one of the 31 for ages. They’re all missed up. But even so I sure like to get them. I guess I was misleading about Ann and Ben. No they are not expecting a new comer. Ben sure wishes they were though. She has been letting on you were though. She wrote to Ben to ask me if I could describe the PJ’s you wore until she talked you into buying a nightgown. Of course she was only kidding. There was a lot more to go with it only now I have forgotten it. Wasn’t important I guess.

St. Jean, France

The story about the PJ’s as I know it was when Mom went to meet Dad on that furlough when they got married she wore a pair of her Dad’s Pajama’s. That means Mom was wearing men’s pajamas on their wedding night. It was a standing joke for quite a while.

It gets quite warm here at times honey. Although at times back home its had anything but Alabama beat. Mommie can you pack up that extra weight you have gained and send it to me. I’m getting pretty thin myself. Remember those pants I got while you were there. Well I wrap them around twice at night and use them as blankets. Some packages came in today and were they a mess. I’m glad I have told you not to send anything. I just doesn’t pay. And really I don’t need anything except for that port folio I asked for. Well darling I guess its time to stop. Have to find a radio to listen to the news. I love you my darling. I love you so much honey. Wish I was there.

Dad’s division is on the move again. I am sure this will be the theme for the rest of his time overseas.

Marvin Cain, Robert “Bob” Winter, Truman “Ben” Howard

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, John A. Keller, Marvin Cain, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, Sgt. Joe Sill, Truman “Ben” Howard, William G. Price, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 17, 2013

World War II chapter 47 Something to Fight For

World War II

Chapter 47

Something to Fight For

Mom being Sexy

According to the document “Various Stations and Area’s Occupied by the 35^th Quartermaster (QM)” on July 21, 1944 the QM moved from a bivouac [temporary camp] near Les Landes, France to another bivouac area two miles southwest of St. Clair, France. Dad has just found out that Mom is pregnant and he is pretty happy about it. I believe that this news gave Dad a new lease on life, something to fight for.

20 July, Near Les Landes, France

Gosh Darling three letters today. Well I don’t get any for a couple days. They were nice Honey but you sound like you are getting worried as whether I like Jr. Forget it honey you should know me better than that. I do like it honey and believe me you are a good wife. I really wanted it that way as much as you only you had more foresight and now we’re both happy. You should have lots of my letters now so you know how I feel. I’m very happy about the whole deal and everything would be perfect if only I were there to help. Or be in the way as usual. I think I have the most perfect wife in the whole world though. And don’t think I am not pleased. Guess what Madeline is doing. Painting and stenciling bombs. Bob got quite a bang out of that. Guess she is going to teach again this year though.

Madeline may be working at any of the three ammunition plants built in Nebraska during this time including: plants built in Nebraska during this time including: the Cornhusker’s Plant in Grand Island; and, the Hasting Naval Ammunition Plant and the Martin Bomber Plant, both located near Omaha. I would love to know the story about Madeline and her bombs. I can only hope someday the Winter family may read this and give me some insight. Now back to Dad’s letter.

Oh Honey we got a good one on Bob. He got some small can openers in some rations and we were horsing around and he said he was going to send one to Madeline. Well we jumped on that and said what a bright future he was going to have sending his wife a can opener. Since then we have really laid it on. Have I said how much I loved you Darling. I do love you very much. I should be kicked for ever saying anything about your writing. I am awful sorry honey. I love you and Jr. We three are going to have lots of fun someday. I would tease Ben about beating him but I believe he feels bad enough now so I don’t. It’s so nice. I have always dreamed things like this but didn’t think they could be true. I am happy honey and I love you very much.

Dad and Bob

21 July, Near St. Clair, France

My Darling Wife, Gosh honey I didn’t get a chance to send the letter I wrote last night so if I just write another and put it in the same envelope would you mind. I just reread a couple of your letters and couldn’t find much to write about. Only I guess if you like to buy groceries you’re going to have the job. Guess I’m not the type cause I never did like scouting around to find the best deals or find out which can of peas to buy to get the most for my money. I just bought and that was that. How’s Jr. tonight. I hope he behaves better than the Calif Sunshine. I know he will though honey. With you there I guess he’ll be spoiled. Me too.

22 July, Near St. Clair, France

Hi Darling, How’s the best wife in the world tonight. I still haven’t taken many pictures . But anytime now I might be. Can’t tell. I guess we can send them home. They go to someplace and if any information is in them they are held until after it has been released and then sent. It was that way. I’m not sure now. When I get a roll taken I’ll find out. It will probably change a couple of times before then.

23 July, Near St. Clair, France

Happy Anniversary Honey, Hope you are writing the same thing to me. Remember it wasn’t long ago that I got your letter wishing me the same. Now we are even. The day hasn’t been so bad. Went on a detail came back went to church read my mail and now am writing. Not bad for me Huh! If I would have been with you it would have been a perfect day as far as I am concerned. I did get two letters from you so it was a little better. It seems we get our mail every third day. And when that third day gets here we are reading mail. How’s Mom? Hope she is feeling better you better be careful how you go handling those tubs of water too. I don’t want anything happening to you either. That would be awful, Gosh honey be careful. I would have liked to have held your yarn but gosh it would have been a long stretch from there to here. Remind me and someday I’ll tangle some up so I can hold it. Wouldn’t that be good. Ann sent Ben one of the pictures we took the day in Raleigh. It was kind of good. I guess they are doing ok.

Mom and Dad have been married five months now. Two of them they were able to spend together now they are going to be having a baby. It will be like Mom is a single parent until Dad gets home. I really think that is what he was worried about. Thank goodness Mom is back at home living with Grandma Susie and Pop.

Grandma Susie, Pop, and Mom

24 July, Near St. Clair, France

Gosh Mommie another day has gone by. Seemed like a year though. Gosh time seems to be going slow in comparison with the time we were together. Remember how we would go somewhere and gosh it was midnight in no time at all. Well you don’t go anywhere now so we have that time on our hands even without thinking of being away from you. I love you Darling. We got a good one on Ben today. We were all rushing to the showers and I’ll be darned he ran in with his shorts on. Did we ever laugh. He said well he had something to write home about. Well he isn’t the only one. I’m writing it too. Can’t you just see Ann Though. Gosh last night Bob and I were talking and we both decided that the first thing we were going to do when we got home was to buy the biggest and cockiest rooster and have chicken and noodles. Also apple pie with cheese. We have the darndest things to talk about. I better revise that. The second thing. First I’m going to Calif. Bob will have his in Nebraska. We are still arguing about his honeymoon Of course that’s just something to talk about.

26-27 July, Near St. Clair, France

Gosh Honey I got in late from detail last night and was awful tired so didn’t write. Hope you don’t mind. I got a nice long letter from you today. And gosh did I ever enjoy it. Hadn’t gotten any for about 4 days or maybe it was three. Anyway I got one from Mom also. They sure did hit the spot. She said Cloyd [Mom’s cousin] was back in the saddle. I’m glad to hear he wasn’t hurt too badly. What is his address maybe I’ll find time to drop him a line.

I have to assume that Cloyd was wounded overseas. Mom and Dad got a V-Mail from him in April and he was doing fine. Here is the V-mail for your viewing pleasure.

V-Mail From Cloyd click to enlarge

One thing about Junior. If he isn’t spoiled by the time I get there he will be shortly after. I am good at that. By the way you never did say what Mom thought about it. I have been wondering. Hope she liked it as well as I did.

And he did, spoil us I mean. I was certainly a Daddy’s girl. But I don’t come along for another 13 years.

30 July, Near St. Clair, France

My Darling Wife, Well I’ll try to do better than last night. I did want to finish that last page. But due to bed check and the coffee getting done early I didn’t have time. It’s a long story honey but someday I’ll tell you and we will both have a laugh. You asked what I wanted a boy or a girl. Well I’m just going to take what you give me honey and be all to [sic] satisfied. Gosh honey I’ll be happy if it is twins. I like Lee as a boys name. A girl well anything but Dorothy will do there. But there has been so darn many names the same in my family lets don’t choose one of them. You think of something and I’ll let you know what I think. You have more of a brain for names than I. Can’t say that I ever had a turtle for a pet. Guess I’m like you they like me too much. Once though I did make a small wired in box and caught flies grasshoppers bees and such and put in it. It didn’t last long though. A bee stung me through the wire and I throwed [sic] it away. Nothing has happened around here to write about so I guess I’m run down.

31 July, Near St. Clair, France

Fine night Mommie. Gosh wish I was with you. Sure would have fun I bet. Got paid today and sent for a money order but it didn’t get here. So I’ll have to send it tomorrow. That is our day. Mail should come then. I should get at least a couple letters then. I’m answering the third and last tonight. So if everything comes out right I should have some new news then. Nope honey there’s only one baby show ours will be entered into. We’ll show him to everyone. But as far as making a fool of him. Certainly not. I imagine you did enjoy the show though. I haven’t seen you around a baby yet. You haven’t enjoyed. Oh Boy! Mommie I’m just a baby at heart. Watermelon would taste good right now. I know a lot of thing that would. Bacon and eggs fried by Mommie would be best though. I wrote Dad today and told him he was going to be a Grandpa again. Was I suppose to. It been about the first I have written since you told me. Oh! And a V-Mail once in awhile but not a letter. Bob just went by and thought I was an early bird because I had this much written and he hadn’t even started. I love you Mommie. I told Ben about Jr. He said God I wish I could say the same. He said Ann said she would have triplets some day. I love you so much Honey. Everyday seems like a year. Sure wish I was on my way home. Gosh I love you.

Truman “Ben” Howard

1 August, St. Clair, France

Gosh Mommie if this seems a little dusty don’t say much. We were out riding today and everything I took seems to be dirt. I did wash once though. (Believe it or not) I sure hope by the time I become Poppa you can say more than just two words about it. Better than that I hope I’m home by then. But you know the chances on that. Bob made another break today. He was talking about what someone fed him once. He said they fed him half of one of those cheeses. He meant a small can of cheese but sure sounded funny the way cheeses came into the story. Well something to laugh about. He has been laughing at me all day anyway for having him about pushed out of bed this morning. There’s a longer story to that too. Some long night when we can’t sleep I’ll tell you. Well Mommie here’s the end again. I love you so much I guess I have to prove that someday. Be careful of junior Mommie and careful of yourself too. I love you darling.

2 August, Near St. Clair, France

Hows my wife tonight. I hope you are well and happy. I’m well but not happy. Gosh I laid down after chow to sleep and now I think I could eat a could dozen men. Feel rough like one does after he awakens. I guess I am not going to have much to say tonight. Listened to a radio and the news sounds good. Churchill gave a speech I guess. I heard it anyway.

According to this website, hansard.millbanksystems.com on 2 August 1944 Prime Minister Churchill gave an encouraging speech. Here is an excerpt from it.

I have upon the whole a good report to make to the House. On every battle front all over the world the armies of Germany and Japan are recoiling. They are recoiling before the Armed Forces of the many nations which in various groupings form the Grand Alliance. In the air, on the sea and under the sea, our well-established supremacy increases with steady strides. The losses by U-boats since the beginning of 1944, compared with former years, are almost negligible. The vast fleets of the Allies have sailed the seas and oceans from January to June with less than half the losses we have 1460 inflicted upon the small, dwindling and largely immobile naval resources of the enemy, both in the East and in the West. It is always possible that there may be a return of the U-boat war. There is talk of Germany trying to make U-boats faster under the water: there are various talks, and it is never well to discount these matters. It is always possible that the Germans may gain some temporary relative advantage in their aircraft. For these reasons we must be very careful not to relax unduly either our precautions or our exertions in order to turn our strength to other channels. Naturally, we wish to turn our strength increasingly to other channels: when one danger is removed a new opportunity presents itself; but we must be very careful, in view of the possibility of unexpected and usually unpleasant things turning up in future. But at this moment, throughout the world there is no theatre in which Allied mastery has not become pronounced.

You can read the whole speech at this link. It does make the situation sound a whole lot better.

Mom has been able to carry “Junior” four months now. I hope she is in the clear of the chance of losing the baby due to her endometriosis. The baby is due in January; will Dad make it home in time for the birth?

Robert “Bob” Winter, Truman “Ben” Howard,

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 12, 2013

Tyler

Tyler in Wildflowers

Tyler’s story has been the hardest to write and share. He turned out to be an excellent dog and having him in my life was one of the highlights. He is no longer with us and it kills me that he is gone. I guess because he was such a hard case to crack it made him all the more special. So Grab a cup of Joe, something to nibble on and maybe some tissue and enjoy Tyler’s Story.

Tyler’s Story

My husband found Tyler on the internet. He liked his looks; he was about 8 months old and a handsome devil. We were looking for a dog that my husband could do agility with and also a brother for Mohave while I recuperated from neck surgery. I filled out the necessary paperwork and we set up an appointment to meet him.

We met across the valley at a Walmart which was about half way between our house and the rescue. When the people pulled up and opened the back of their car Tyler was plastered against the metal pet barrier in their car. He really looks like a cartoon character with his feet wrapped around the kennel like barrier. The rescuers already had a leash on him and my husband got him out of the car and took him for a walk to get to know him.

Tyler at Home

I stayed and talked to the rescuers. They told me about how they came to foster Tyler, his siblings, and their Mom. It seems the mom was a stray who burrowed under the local school where she had her babies. She was part cattle dog a medium size dog with longer hair. They were not sure who the father was but were sure to warn us it may be a Great Dane. By the time the rescuers got to the pups they already had the instilled the fear of people instilled in them. The kind rescuers were not really a dog rescue but a reptile and tortoise rescue. They had not had much time to interact with him and he was afraid of people. Well with a story like that I knew he was my next mission, but I let my hubby feel like he made the decision. It was not hard as we are both big dog lovers.

We paid the fee and thanked the rescuers and the lady cried once everything was done. Even though she only had a short time with him he had touched her life. I could feel his gentle soul already myself. He got into our car ok and we set off to take our new dog home to meet his brother.

We have an acre of fenced land and when we got home and the gates closed we let him off leash. That was the last time Hubby or I touched him for the next six months. He was so scared of my hubby and I we could not get near him, but he and Mohave became fast buddies. Tyler was always better with other dogs than he was with people.

I am a little dog

It was at least a month after my surgery before I could get outside to even be out with him and assess the damage to his personality. I was still in a lot of pain and had a long way to go before I would recover enough to be well enough to any kind of training with him.

After two months of trying to get him to come I saw what needed to be done. I needed to ignore him and let him get use to me. In other words I needed to stop trying to touch him and let him come to me. Still in my neck brace I would take a chair out to wherever he and Mohave were laying and just sit there. Eventually he began to know I was going to make no sudden moves to scare him. Our biggest connection was Mohave because he wanted to be wherever he was. If you know anything about Labradors they are most comfortable when they are in some way touching you. That meant if I was outside Mohave was right by me and Tyler was just out of reach. It was time to start positive training. I got the dog cookies out.

Smiling?

Mohave was a cookie hound and for a while there he got most of the cookies and I threw Tyler’s close to him so he did not have to come near. Of course each day his cookies got closer to where I was sitting. Then of course he had to take them out of my hand. I remember the very first time he took one and it was so hard for me not to reach out and grab this big goofy guy and hug him. But I knew it would only ruin what little trust he had for me now.

Almost six months to the day he let me touch him, but only his ear. I cried that day, tears of joy but I knew I had to continue on this same path. Tyler did not come in the house at this time no matter how much we tried to get him in so of course we had to wait until he was ready. During the next month he let me rub his ear, then neck, then back, and so forth. I was overjoyed but our battle was still not over. My hubby could not touch him for another six months.

Mohave became my biggest tool for getting through to Tyler, and the day came when it was time to work on him coming in the house. I kept the back door open so he could see what it was about. He would come in and look but would never get in far enough where I could shut the door. Finally one day he came in and laid on the big dog bed we have in the living room. Eventually he got use to it but it took a lot of patience, and persistence and good dog treats.

Eventually my hubby got to pet him and he came to trust us. He did not trust other people though. He learned tricks or commands when I was teaching Mohave. One day I was teaching Mohave to shake paws. Now mind you Mohave was a great dog but he was never very intelligent. So I was trying to get Mohave to shake (not a good thing to teach a huge, uncoordinated dog when they work with little tiny kids) I was trying to get Mohave to understand what I was teaching him and Tyler came up and put his paw in my hand. He did that with other commands especially with agility. We had some jumps, tunnel, an A Frame, and table where they dogs are suppose to down stay until released. Tyler would run through all of the equipment and be lying on the table before Mohave got through his first jump.

Such a lover boy

We went on a camping trip one time and got a dog sitter to come and feed the dogs. At this time we had a small Jack Russell Terrier and we had a Chihuahua size door for her to go in and out. She went with us and the boys stayed home. We forgot to lock the dog door and Tyler had a party while we were gone. Oh did I mention it rained? To this day I still cannot figure out how that big guy got through that tiny door. There were muddy dog prints all over the kitchen the counters, the washer and dryer, and our bed. Poor Mohave must have been standing out in the rain watching Tyler through the sliding glass door. We are not sure if he was egging Tyler on or stand in the rain yelling “I’m melting.” That boy hated the rain. Tyler somehow got my husband’s pillow out that tiny dog door and had ripped it to pieces. I can see him and Mohave having a pillow fight. He also stole the laundry soap and threw it all over the yard. Then there was the blanket, my favorite blanket too ripped to shreds. We were amazed and heck it took so long to be able to touch this now big goofy guy he blossomed into a maniac! We never left without locking up the dog door again.

If I sit here I can see out the window!

He acted like he was a gymnast bounded across the furniture like he was a little dog. Eventually when I would let them in he would charge into the living room, clear the back of the couch and was standing on the back of it looking at you before you could think. Now mind you that by this time he was closing on 90 pounds. He liked to sit on our laps and hubby and I got big chairs so he could. He got so comfortable you would often find him lying on his back feet curled and I swear it looked like he was smiling. He really turned out to be the most lovable of all our dogs. He was always so cautious with me but at the same time so loving you could not help hugging him and thanking the Lord he let us.

He was stealth and you may never know he was behind you. It may have come from his feral days. It was like he tiptoed when he was in the house. He was always so quite especially if he was sneaking in that tiny dog door.

After Mohave passed away my hubby bought him a bigger dog door. He was afraid he was going to hurt his man parts squeezing in the small one. He was allowed to come and go from the house as he wanted and we never had a problem with him going potty in the house and he never tore anything else up. We did have to buy a trash can with a top on it but it was a small price to pay.

Sitting at the table not begging! With my BFF David

We also started taking him camping with us. I felt bad leaving him home alone and after all we had the motor home, which at the time we were using as a kennel for the little dog why not Tyler too? It saved us 30 dollars a day in dog care. He was so good on these trips I could not get over how good he was. Now remember he was a big dog and there are not a lot of places for a big dog in a small 22 ft. RV. The big guy would lie on the bench seat with his head on the table and would touch nothing. Not even interested, he was just glad to be along. The night that touched me most was the night hubby brought Tyler out to the campfire I expected him to be afraid of the popping of the fire but he surprised me and was nice and calm. By the end of that first weekend he actually was going up to the other campers and wanted them to pet him. What a long road it was but what an amazing transformation, I cried.

Tyler left us not long after that. He somehow ingested a piece of metal and it was ripping up his insides. Out of all of The Dogs Who Loved Me, I feel that Tyler’s rehabilitation was the most dramatic as far as his issues. When I am standing at the pearly gates and they ask what is the best thing you have accomplished I will have to say rehabilitating dogs. It was the most rewarding.

The Dogs Who Loved Me Series~ Prologue

The Dogs Who Loved Me Series~ Kiva

The Dogs Who Loved Me Series~Mohave

The Dogs Who Loved Me Series~ How Trouble Saved My Life

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Posted in Dogs, The Dogs Who Loved Me Series | Tags: Blog, blogging, desert, Dog, dog rescue, dogs, family, Feral, Love, pearly gates, Post a day, postaday, Tyler

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 10, 2013

World War II, Chapter 46, A Bun in the Oven

Dad and his Beep

World War II

Chapter 46

A Bun in the Oven

Dad’s handwriting is becoming harder to read as though he is in a hurry to write. I know he is on the move and must be getting a taste of what the war is all about. My brother reminded me that he wrote a lot of the letters in the cab of the truck while they were on the move. What amazes me the most is the content of the letters do not let on to what exactly is going on around him. I am sure he would not have wanted to worry my mom anyway.

Wikipedia has a great overview of the 35^th Infantry which is the unit the 35^th Quartermaster was assigned to overseas. Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

The 35th Infantry Division arrived in England, 25 May 1944, and received further training. It landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, 5–7 July 1944, and entered combat 11 July, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows, north of Saint-Lô.

16 July, Somewhere in France

Dearest Mommie and Junior, Gosh what’ll I do now. I’ve never been a Papa before. It wasn’t very much of a shock though because I kind of had a suspicion about it from the last letters. Believe me I was happy when you wrote for sure. I believe I even had a few tears. Maybe I’ll be home by the time the addition is made. I have hopes and so does everyone else. Gosh Mommie I don’t know what to do. I feel like an older man I guess. But take care of yourself. I certainly want nothing happening to you.

Well it is official, Mom is pregnant. But the big question is will she be able to carry this baby to full term? Mom had endometriosis and had several miscarriages during her childbearing years.

No send no money. I have to [sic] damn much now and only have about 75 cents. I haven’t spent anything in so long one would think I was hoarding. But I am not. I’ll send you some as soon as I’m paid. Perhaps this month. Have I said that before. Gosh they have about a half page about me in the payroll this time. Another thing my bond allotment will automatically stop as soon as I have one complete bond. So therefore that will give me more than enough here. So I’ll have to be sending you some anyway. I am glad I can. I have your letter you stated Happy Anniversary Honey. Well today is the 16^th so I’m not getting your mail any sooner than you mine. Of course I got another the same day about Junior. How do you feel about it honey. Are you sorry. I’m not. I have a double portion to look forward to now. I can hardly waite [sic] hope that isn’t to long. I’m glad the family picture is good. Of course Grandma and Grandpa would have things like that to say. I’ll bet they are awful proud though. I know I would be. You say you haven’t cashed your allotment checks. You mean you have had enough money with what you left me with to get along. Gosh Sweet I couldn’t have gone a week on that. Lookie honey that’s your money. You better use it. Now you’re going to need it even more. What about Junior. Want to pay ourselves or want it to go in a servicesmans [sic] account. I’ll write the details on that next time. I love you very much Darling. I said once I didn’t want it that way but it’s certainly nice to look forward to. I love you sweet, All my love, Lefty

Comic Dad Enclosed in his Letter

16 July, On the move in France

Well gosh I wrote to Mom last night and dated it the 17 and also one to you dated the 16. Well time is finally catching up with me so now I’m on the ball. Ben is ok. He and Ann are going to try raising watermelons now. She said she might even swallow a seed. Of course that is what he said.

Ben and Anna Howard married 10 July 1942. Anna passed away in 2005 and Ben followed her home in 2010. They are buried in Glass River Cemetery in Michigan.

(Visit Ben’s Find a Grave Memorial click here)

Walter “Walt” Huntsucker and Trueman “Ben” Howard

He was as lucky as we. Remember how I was against the idea and you were arguing even before we were married. I guess you got your way Honey and am I glad. Boy oh boy. Hope you feel the same as I do now. Mommie you tell me not to send you any money. What will I do with it. I haven’t spent one cent since payday then only bought my rations. Of course I haven’t been paid but when I do I’ll send it. Bob went to church tonight. I was going this morning only had a detail and didn’t get back in time Oh! Well next time won’t be as often but as good. Mommie I’d love to have you send me things but right now I have so darn many to take care of that I don’t care for anymore. Not now anyway/ I know sweet you want to send them but please waite [sic] awhile anyway. It would take a long time coming. One thing you can send film 127. I can always use those. Although to date I have only taken one picture. Me in my shorts. You said you liked me in them so I dood it.

Dad in his shorts

17 July, Somewhere in France

My Darling Wife, I was so surprised today. Two letters from you. Gosh Darling it seemed so good to get them. Of course I have been getting lots of them lately but I guess I’ll never get enough. It always seems I could just read on and on and they are certainly what one needs when I can’t be with you. I got a letter from Dorothy (Dad’s sister) today and you certainly made a big hit with her. What did you do to all my relations. They all write the same. Of course I knew it but wanted to be selfish and keep it to myself. They couldn’t miss liking you though. Darling I don’t need anything. All I can want is to be home with you. I love you so much.

Consulting with Wikipedia’s 35^th Infantry’s Combat Chronicle I found

The (35^thInfantry) Division beat off 12 German counterattacks at Emelie before entering Saint-Lô, 18 July. After mopping up in the Saint-Lô area, it took part in the offensive action southwest of Saint-Lô, pushing the Germans across the Vire River.

18 July, Somewhere in France

Gosh Mommie I have about 30 minutes to compose a letter to you. So if this isn’t so good don’t blame me. Know what I did last night I went to bed and couldn’t sleep so I got the flash light and reread all your letters. Gosh I enjoyed them again. Bob and I went to sleep this afternoon and woke up just in time for supper. Gosh that is timing it just right isn’t it. I shaved and washed my head. Can’t say hair anymore. Haven’t much of the since the barber went by. Anyway I feel all clean now. I’m glad Junior is being good. Just be damn careful honey so he keeps that way. And cut this old stuff about not being a good wife. You’re the only one I ever wanted and I wouldn’t have anything but the best and you’re it. I love you darling. That thirty minutes is about up darling so I should be stopping. I love you my darling wife very much. All my love, Lefty

Dad’s Division is on the move again. I have a feeling it will be that way for the rest of his time overseas. With Mom being pregnant it sure gives him something to live for. Maybe he won’t take as many chances that he might have without this news.

Truman “Ben” Howard, Robert “Bob” Winter, Walter Huntsucker

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, Truman “Ben” Howard, Walter Huntsucker, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 5, 2013

The Gateway to Manzanar Relocation Center

The Guard Shack at the Entrance to Manzanar

(To learn more about Manzanar click here)

I have always loved to stop at Manzanar when driving up the 395 through Owens Valley. When we first started stopping it was thick with a forest of trees. We would stop and it would provide some shade for a nice picnic. Walking around the area was like being on a treasure hunt. There was remnants of life and peoples homes. There was not much but hidden among the landscape was rock work of a time long past. With my interest peaked on day we stopped in Independence at the museum there and I got my first taste of what a Relocation Center was. I bought a book written by a girl who grew to age in the camp. I was shocked at the life they endured. It has been many years since our picnic days. They now are trying to breathe new life into Manzanar. The forest of trees have been cut down and they are trying to restore the place back to what it was in the 1940’s. It is now a museum and they are preserving the history of what really happened there. We must never forget.

A Monument in the Graveyard

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Posted in Daily Ramblings, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tags: California, High Desert, historical, History, Manzanar Relocation Center, My Father's Letter's, photo, photograph, Post a day, postaday, Random, Weekly Photo Challenge, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 3, 2013

World War II, Chapter 45, Knee Deep

World War II

Knee Deep

Chapter 45

Marvin Cain (Thanks to the Cain Family for Sharing their Father’s Memories)

According to the Various Stations and Areas Occupied by the 35^th Quartermaster document Marvin Cain’s family provided me, Dad’s Division arrived in Cornwall, England on 26 May 1944 and remained there 42 days until July 9^th.They received further training while there. According to the Combat Chronicle for the 35^th Infantry on Wikipedia;

The 35^th Infantry entered combat 11 July, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows, north of Saint-Lô. The Division beat off 12 German counterattacks at Emelie before entering Saint-Lô, 18 July. After mopping up in the Saint-Lô area, it took part in the offensive action southwest of Saint-Lô, pushing the Germans across the Vire River,

Once again Dad’s division was not the Infantry but his division was attached to the 35^th Infantry overseas driving soldiers, supplies and ammunition for the Infantry.

19 June 1944, Cornwall, England

I’m hoping by now you have heard from me. Someone has said the mail has gone out some time ago and by now you should have more letters than Carter has liver pills and he has been in the business quite a while. Bob is on one side of this table and Judson on another a bag of candy in the center and I can’t think of a damn thing to write. Is that unusual. I think no. We worked rather late tonight. Had nothing else to do so really didn’t mind until chow. Well anyway we had French fries and only got about three little pieces. It made me so damn mad to think we had to work and then get a deal like that. I believe I could have committed man slaughter [sic]and wouldn’t have been a bit of (unreadable) of who it was. Just anyone who would have opened his mouth. There will come a time. Remember Ray Linden. He just said his wife had heard from him. So I guess you will soon. (hear from me I mean.) Red Skelton is on the radio. Sure sounds good.

According to the V-Day Roster I have Raymond Linden was from Los Angeles, California. He passed away in 2006 and was interred at Altaville Protestant Cemetery in Calaveras County.

(Visit Mr. Linden’s Find a Grave memorial page by clicking here)

Raymond Linden and Judson Haviland

21 June, Cornwall, England

Hello, hows[sic] everything. Me I’m tired. We worked late again. It’s almost eleven and we have been going since six. So far I haven’t minded. Have been kinda low mood and it keeps the mind occupied. We had a floor show last night. A bunch of GI’S were on the loose. It was good though. I about laughed myself sick. It didn’t last long enough though so I came home. The company had a big party though. Guess they had fun. I was in an awful bad mood then I changed my clothes to go to chow and was in a hurry and left my bill fold laying on my bunk and somebody swiped a pound ($4.00) out of it. I was lucky they left 15 cents. I’m not broke.

23 June, Cornwall, England

Hows [sic] the swellest [sic] person in the world tonight. Me I’m a kinda low. Sun burned my back a little today. Of course not blistered or anything like that, but its [sic] sore. Oh yes I banged my sore finger a couple times and today its [sic] giving me trouble. It’s a little swollen and awful tender but even that will be ok. Sounds like we are going to have a lot of nice things to start with. I was telling Bob what you wrote and he asked if you had reviewed the thing he and Madeline were to give us. Sounds like you and me both could go for a little sleep have been missing some myself lately. Been working. You can come over and do my laundry. I never seem to have time to wash anything more than fatigues and they are really a dirty mess. So you don’t think they pictures were good. Don’t tell anyone and they’ll never know the difference. Hows [sic] that. I thought the proofs were good. I’m glad you sent Dad one. He will really be proud of you. Mom said you also got a card to send. Gee you’re a better Daughter-in-law than I am a son. I wrote him a V-Mail. He probably won’t get it until late. I certainly get your letters at the right time. I get one then live in it a couple days then get in the rough and a couple days after I’ve about given up and here comes another. Then start the whole thing over gain.

26 June, Cornwall, England

Well Mommie how are the ones I love tonight. Good I hope, I am. Gosh I was in hopes I would hear from you today so I knew you have heard from me. I have been busy so haven’t had time to miss your letters. But sure do miss you about every day I get to thinking about you and guess I get damn homesick. Because you can’t get a feeling like that from pancakes. I guess I should tell you my jaw is ok again except when I open my mouth too wide. Then it doesn’t feel so well. Made a band for my watch today. Didn’t have anything to do for twenty minutes. Its [sic] kinda nice. Of course the one I had was good but you know me. New ideas. So now I have a new one. I’ll tell you about it next time.

27 June, Cornwall, England

No letter today. Gosh I sure was looking for one. But I guess I’ll have to waite [sic] Anyway I must write tonight and get things off my chest. Oh yes honey General Eisenhower and Patton were visitors here. Man did things fly around here for awhile. We had been working extra hard anyway but didn’t waste any time then. Guess they were pleased though. Of course we didn’t get anything but a kick in the face for our efforts. But somebody was made happy. I just reread one of your letters and all the things you say we got for presents. Gosh you’ll about have to rent another room to put them in. Bet they are darn nice though.

(Dad Wrote) Haviland, One way to shave notice the wash pan

3 July, Cornwall, England

Gosh yesterday when the mail got here I was so discouraged because there was none from you. I could have done (unreadable) to about anyone. But there was one from Mom and that helped. Well one kid came back during the night and had some more and to my good luck one was from you. God it seemed like 10 years since I had heard from you. But it was only 10 days. The folks heard from me so by now you certainly have. When you don’t hear from me and I don’t from you it makes it bad two ways here. Don’t know what to do. I wanted you to know as soon as possible that I was ok and then the mail doesn’t come through. Well Bob and my luck hasn’t held out so well. We got split up and haven’t seen each other for awhile. With no mail and that is makes one kinda lonesome. We’ll be back together again though.

6 July, QM arrived at Weymouth, England

7 July, QM departed from Weymouth, England for France

35^th Quartermaster arrived at Omaha Beach on 7 July 1944. Upon arrival QM departed for de-water proofing area which was near Coleville, France remaining there approximately two (2) hours. Moved to bivouac area near Colombieres, France

9 July, QM moved to bivouac area near Les Landes, France

According to Dictonary.com a Bivouac is “a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire.” It sounds kind of scary to me.

Wikipedia has a great overview of the 35^th Infantry which is the unit the 35^th Quartermaster was assigned to. Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

The 35th Infantry Division arrived in England, 25 May 1944, and received further training. It landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, 5–7 July 1944, and entered combat 11 July, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows, north of Saint-Lô. The Division beat off 12 German counterattacks at Emelie before entering Saint-Lô, 18 July.

I know my father’s battalion was not the Infantry but they were the ones who drove the 35^th Infantry around, got food and supplies to them. It seems as though my father is now knee deep in the war.

Robert “Bob” Winter, Judson Haviland, Raymond E. Linden, Marvin Cain

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, Judson Haviland, Marvin Cain, My Father's Letter's, Raymond E. Linden, Robert “Bob” Winter, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | December 27, 2012

World War II, chapter 44, England

World War II

England

Chapter 44

Lefty

Because Dad’s letters are censored he is not saying much in them. Most of the letters are professing his love for Mom, paragraphs of love with just a little news mixed in. I don’t like to change how I am writing his story but in an effort to keep things moving I will edit the letters and only include the news.

4 June, 1944, Cornwall, England

Darling, How’s Mommie tonight in Sunny Calif. I guess you should have gotten lots of letters from me by now so maybe you feel as well as I did when I got mine. Gosh Honey they were like chocolate to a kid. I went to church again this morning. Liked it very much. The preacher was very good although it was in honor of Sunday school and therefore was for the children. But good. Wish you had been here for dinner. We had fried chicken and Ice Cream and boy what a meal. Sure tasted good too. I was awful hungry.

6 June, 1944, D-Day-Operation Neptune, According to Wikipedia:

The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, were the landing operations of the Alliedinvasion of Normandy, in Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (D-Day), beginning at 6:30 am British Double Summer Time (GMT+2). In planning, as for most Allied operations, the term D-Day was used for the day of the actual landing.

I always thought that Dad’s Division was a part of the Normandy Landings but according to the 35^th “Quartermaster Station and Area’s Occupied by the QM” They are still in Cornwall, England. Could they be moving around the area?

Various Stations and Area’s Occupied by the 35th QM Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family

2 June, Cornwall, England

God I would have given 10 pounds tonight had your mail come through. But it didn’t so I have to waite [sic] another day. God I wish it would get here. Bob and I went to a dance last night. Not much doing at first. I was only going to listen then my feet got itchy and I danced some. You would go nuts around here if you didn’t do something. Long old hours waiting to get back. Did you see Madeline while you were up there. She wrote Bob and said how long you were there and that you planned on coming back. You know honey I’m keeping track of you through someone elses [sic] mail. But surely would like to get yours. I know its [sic] coming Honey and you are doing all you can to get it here. Guess I’m just anxious.

8 June, Cornwall, England

Darling how’s Mommie tonight. Writing I hope cause I’m certainly not getting any letters. It has been almost a week now and things are certainly getting dead. I’m it. By the way honey do you know I get a kiss good night every morning [sic] when I get up. Find a time map and see the difference in time between there and here. I think you’ll find that mine is about 6 next morning. Bob and I went to a show again tonight. It was good but do you know Bob doesn’t make half as good a person to see a show with as you. He doesn’t get frightened. Well Mommie I love you so very much. I’m hoping you are getting my mail now.

Dad and Bob overseas

8 June, Cornwall England

I got a letter from you this morning and was I glad even if it was an old one. Where did you borrow the pretty stationary and green ink. It certainly goes good together. I’m certainly glad Dad is in good health. Or better than the last time I saw him. He was looking pretty bad then if you remember. Here I have been worrying about your finances. I didn’t realize the allotment check would be that much. I guess you could use more though anyway. I’ll have to send it after the first. Honey about the other. Well there isn’t anything else in the world I want more but I hope it isn’t that way just yet. But if it is I’m going to be very happy. Much more so though if I were there. I suppose you know now though. For sure. Mom told me about meeting you in the telephone booth what a place for a reunion. I love you honey very much gosh I wish I were where you could try to squeeze me to pieces. I will be someday though and then look out. I have been writing to Calif for sometime so you should have plenty of mail when you get home. At least I’m hoping you have. Believe me I’ve been writing enough between V-mail and air you should get reading material for months.

I have to assume Dad is talking about Mom being pregnant. I can understand the hesitation he has to her being pregnant now. After all he may never return and right about now he may be seeing some action overseas. What was that like for Mom? Knowing she may be pregnant and knowing her husband may never come home. She must have been scared too, right? And is she pregnant? I mean after two months of living as husband and wife it is certainly a possibility.

14 June, Cornwall, England

I guess I’ll write tonight. Maybe not much but enough to let you know I haven’t broken my arm so I can’t. Gosh I’m glad I have some one back home who writes to keep up my spirits. Don’t know what I would do if I didn’t hear from Bob and Norma (Dad’s brother and sister-in-law) once or twice a week. Of course they never have much to write and haven’t heard from us since we were married but still I have heard about three times more from them then anyone. These nice long days are so easy to pass especially when you have been looking for someone to write and then get disappointed. I must say too that I think our mail has been coming this way twice as good as I have expected it too. You should know though that your mail will be awful late for awhile. Anyway honey thanks alot for writing you have been so swell about it. As I have said Madeline certainly seems to be in a rut. Every day when Bob (Dad’s Army buddy) gets her letter he usually says something about how sorry she seems. Then he goes into a blue mood for a couple hours then waites [sic] the until the next day. Then the same thing over. Now take me for instance I never have that kind of trouble because my wife doesn’t think it necessary to write.

Oh dear! He had me wondering whether he was being sarcastic or not and by the end of the letter you can sure tell he is not getting enough mail from her. He sure makes it clear he is not happy. I wonder if it is just the mail service. The letters he has written the past month have been written to various addresses. Dad has been following Mom on her trip back to Pasadena with his letters. Some were addressed to Nebraska, some to Kansas and some to California. I guess Mom is finally back at home in California but even this letter had been delivered to the wrong address. Dad addressed it right but it seems they delivered it to Glendale rather than Pasadena and it had been forwarded. Also it has to be taking a while for his letters to get to her after all his letters do have to be censored before they get far which I am sure have delayed his. Maybe Mom thinks Dad is not writing to her, it could be one vicious cycle.

Wayward Letter

17 June, Cornwall England

Gosh Mommie I got another letter from you today and it was so swell. Man was I getting down in the ruts. I guess I just can’t take it. Man when no letters come for a couple weeks I’m just out. Walks around here in about 2/3 of a daze and get to thinking a lot of things. I shouldn’t have taken it out on someone and up to date you seems to be the only one I got to be wondering why everyone else had been getting mail and not me. It kinds of hits a low ceiling when none comes. I’m glad the pictures Ann sent out where good. Ours should be coming before long. Hope they are also good. For what they cost they should be trimmed in gold. I have been playing ball lately and am none the better for it. Have one finger hurt and today a couple of us went after the same ball and tied. My jaw feels like someone has been beating on it for a week. It isn’t bad though. Nothing that won’t be over with shortly. Bob got a crush bracelet from Madeline for his birthday and his mother sent him a tie. I guess that is OK too. Anyway he certainly likes Madeline’s gift. Said he had been wanting one for ages. On the back it had engraved “To My Man.” Gosh Darling you’re getting me all excited about what you promised to tell me. Can’t waite [sic] to find out for sure. Think I’ll have a few too many (unreadable) the day I find out. Of course a negative answer would be different. I’m hoping for the best. I love you Darling. Guess I’ll have to go to church again tomorrow. I tried last Sunday and never did get up. I was awful tired doing nothing. It’s eleven now honey so I’ll quit and go to bed. I love you Mommie very much. Wish I were with you right now instead of here. But then I love you. All my love, Lefty

This is another great example of how much letters from home meant to these men. One day he is upset because he is not hearing from his wife and the next the relief of receiving news from home.

Robert “Bob” Winter

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, World War II, world war II letters, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | December 20, 2012

World War II, chapter 43, Victory Mail

World War II

Victory Mail

Chapter 43

Click to enlarge

Interesting enough the next batch of letters are V-mail or Victory mail. According to the Postal Museum;

V, or Victory mail, was a valuable tool for the military during World War II. The process, which originated in England, was the microfilming of specially designed letter sheets. Instead of using valuable cargo space to ship whole letters overseas, microfilmed copies were sent in their stead and then “blown up” at an overseas destination before being delivered to military personnel. V-mail ensured that thousands of tons of shipping space could be reserved for war materials. The 37 mail bags required to carry 150,000 one-page letters could be replaced by a single mail sack. The weight of that same amount of mail was reduced dramatically from 2,575 pounds to a mere 45. The system of microfilming letters was based on the use of special V-mail letter-sheets, which were a combination of letter and envelope. The letter-sheets were constructed and gummed so as to fold into a uniform and distinctively marked envelope. The user wrote the message in the limited space provided, added the name and address of the recipient, folded the form, affixed postage, if necessary, and mailed the letter. V-mail correspondence was then reduced to thumb-nail size on microfilm. The rolls of film were sent to prescribed destinations for developing at a receiving station near the addressee. Finally, individual facsimiles of the letter-sheets were reproduced about one-quarter the original size and the miniature mail was then delivered to the addressee. Between June 15, 1942 and April 1, 1945, 556,513,795 pieces of V-mail were sent from the U.S. to military post offices and over 510 million pieces were received from military personnel abroad.

V-Mail Envelope

The next bunch of letters contains quite a few of these Victory Mail letters. Some in the combination of letter and envelope and some that have been reduced in size. Once again they contain the stamp that an Army Examiner has inspected and censored them. Let’s read on.

26 May QM arrived at Scarne Cross Camp located in Launceston, Cornwall, England

26 May, Cornwall, England

Darling, Hows [sic] Mommie tonight. OK I hope. Believe me I am. Haven’t had so much ambition in ages. Maybe it’s the air. I imagine by now you and Mom are having the time of your lives or so on down. Maybe not. I got a letter from Mom and she said your allotment had come. Boy honey that sounded good to me. Have you received our pictures yet. How were they. Joe (Joe D. Sill) got a letter from Mrs. Sill and she said you had written every nite [sic]. Guess they have been held up somewhere. So far I haven’t gotten them. Also said she took you up to Dad’s. Glad you went up there. Probably he was feeling low anyway. Now Darling I haven’t much room to say I love you so I’ll just write a regular letter and tell you all about it. All my love, Lefty.

One thing for sure the V-Mails have limited space to write in. It does keep the letters short. The next letter is back to Airmail and has been censored.

27 May, Cornwall, England

Darling, How’s Mommie today. Gosh time is slow but maybe it will be better when we get used to it. I believe this air does something to me. I am sure ambitious. Have I said that before. Sounds familiar. Did my laundry this morning, Getting to be a regular laundress again. Boy is it tough, but I did it. Mom said Deloris had joined the waves. Well I see you didn’t get there in time to give her that pep talk. Wish you had. Well I received another letter from Mom but still your mail hasn’t come through. Hows [sic] Aunt Clara?

Aunt Dick and Uncle Gerald

Aunt Clara is my Grandmother’s sister. Her husband, Uncle Gerald is also overseas.

We finally got our money changed and can get some stamps. I hope. By the way I haven’t wished Pop a happy birthday so do that also. Maybe someday I’ll get on the ball or maybe I should just let you keep up the good work. Maybe that would be best. You know this is a beautiful country……………….

I would sure like to know what had to be cut out, but then I bet Mom did too.

………………….Off hand that doesn’t make any difference to me. Looks strange though. I went to church this morning. It was quite nice. Was going tonight but was late so looked around. Nice views you should see some of the flowers they have here. Darling I have been forgetting to say how much I love you. You see I have to say what I have on my mind first before I forget then I can say I love you. You know I do though. Don’t you darling, It sure is rough not getting your letters. I imagine they will all some at once. Will I have a party when they do. Bob hasn’t been getting any from Madeline either so we are in the same fix……………………..

Yet another part has been censored

……………… I guess I’ll quit for now sweet. Haven’t much to write. If I can find some V-Mail I’m going to write home. Haven’t enough to write a letter. I love you Darling be good and all that. All my love, Lefty

Deloris Shade-Diehl

(Insert Deloris’s Wave Picture, Gerald’s picture, Censored Letter)

1 June, Cornwall, England

Darling, Gosh Mommie I have been reading and reading today. Got three letters from you and one from Mom and another from Bob (Dad’s Brother) Not bad huh. I knew they would come only I couldn’t waite [sic]. I’m glad you did get home OK and had a good time. Believe me I had myself a time trying to keep from worrying to [sic] much. Every day Joe Harvey (Hawker W.”Joe” Harvey) and I would compare notes and see what appeared. I didn’t think about mother’s day when we planned on your going home. I’m certainly glad you did get down for that. Also glad you bought her something. She said you did. Gosh I love you Mommie. Guess I couldn’t really realize how much until you were gone and I couldn’t hear from you. I do love you very much. Wish I could tell you really how much. I am sending this home. I imagine you’ll be there. So here it comes. Oh! Yes we got a letter from Bob(Dad’s brother) well I’ll tell you about tomorrow. I love you my Darling very much. All my love Lefty

1944 V-Mail

2 June, Cornwall, England

Darling, How’s Mommie tonight. Fine I hope. Just had supper so I’m contented too. Sauer Kraut and wieners. Now I ‘m trying to collect enough material to fill this. I didn’t get any mail again today. Guess my share came yesterday. We always have tomorrow to look forward to now though. Wish it would get to coming regular. I ended up last evening by writing Mrs. Johnson. Bet she’ll be surprised. We haven’t written her for ages. I can say I love you honey. Guess that won’t be hard to take. God Darling I do. So much. Bob and I have been planning the things we are going to do when we return. Boy just waite [sic]. I said I would write what Bob Woodside said. Well I don’t have enough room so sometime when I write airmail. I’ll do it. I love you my darling. Very much. Gosh wish I could really say just how much. Boy honey I love you. All my love Lefty.

V-Mail

In the next letter Dad is back to writing a regular letter. It seems as though he has a lot more to say than is accommodated in the limited space of a V-Mail.

3 June, Cornwall, England

Darling, Guess I’ll go this way tonight. I mean write airmail of course. I have done enough V-Mail for while I love you honey. Sounds like you had a good time. I imagine now you are back in Calif. Anyway according to what you have written. You know I think I should have some more of your mail coming. I would hate to think I only got 6 letters from my wife in a month. Must be some more. I got a letter from Elmer also today. Rose said she thought I had a swell wife. I guess you have made a big hit at home. I’m so glad honey. I love you so. By the way Arnold Woehrles’s baby was born. Why don’t you buy something and send it. He is the man who took us to Kansas. It’s a girl and just send it to Lexington. I said buy. Have you enough money. I intended to have sent you some something ago but we haven’t been paid. Wont until the first. So I’m hoping you haven’t run short. I have a half penny I’ll send maybe it will help. Rose told about Carolyn having contractions. Were you scared. I would have been. By the way how’s Junior. You haven’t said.

Here he is talking about Junior again. I have now come to believe that “Junior” is my mother’s menstrual cycle. I wonder if Dad is happy about the fact she could be pregnant.

So you went horse back [sic] riding. Were you as sore as I. Bob and I played catch yesterday and I can hardly move my arm. Of course I realize it wouldn’t be your arms but? About the part censored from my letter. Well we had one phrase we could send and I probably got a couple words changed around and they cut it. Oh well! So be it. I said I love you and that’s what counts. I do very much my darling. I told you Bob and I went to the Cinema (show) last night. Well the joke about the whole thing was our lack of knowledge about the British money and lack of finances. Well anyway we got one ticket bought and returned to neutral corners to figure the situation. We found we were a three pence short (5 cents American) so we dashed down the street to find a friend. Well we did. It only took a short while and when we returned the ticket seller remembered us and thought she hadn’t given us the first ticket we bought so we ended up with three and dammit if she had done that in the first place we wouldn’t have been so embarrassed. So there too. After we did get in it wasn’t worth the trouble. I’m going back to church again tomorrow. Boy am I getting Holey. But I like it. Besides being good for me it is something to take up some of the long Sunday making it of course closer to the time we are together again. Well darling it is after nine and I must be getting my sleep. I love you very much honey. Very, very much. By the way what’s a snood? You’ll have to draw a picture I guess. I know what it does guess I am not up on women’s apparel. I love you sweet, until next time I’ll be waiting. I love you darling. All my love, Lefty

V-Mail Directions

I have never even heard the word snood before but little did I know I have seen a snood or two. Thanks to Wikipedia I now know a new word and what it means. I wonder how often it will come up in conversation.

A snood is historically a type of European female headgear. In the most common form the headgear resembles a close-fitting hood or hairnet worn over the back of the head. A tighter-mesh band may cover the forehead or crown, then runs behind the ears and under the nape of the neck.

Well there you go, it’s a hairnet! Who knew?

Hawker W. “Joe” Harvey, Robert “Bob” Winter, Joe D. Sill,

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, Hawker W. “Joe” Harvey, Joe D. Sill, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | December 13, 2012

World War II, chapter 42, Censored

World War II

Censored

Chapter 42

Mom and Dad

My parents were able to spend two blissful months together before Dad was sent overseas. The next letter from him has no postmark on it so I don’t know where he is when it was written. What it does have is an Army Examiner’s stamp on it so his letters are now being censored. I am not sure how much he will be able to tell us so it should be interesting.

1 May 1944, Unknown Place

Darling, I got your letter today and was I glad. Well I was when the second one came. The first kinda gave me the willies. Guess I just then realized that we were really parted. I knew something was wrong the night I called you. But couldn’t let you know. Also I tried to call (the) next day but all the telephones were closed and couldn’t get out. But maybe it was better. I got your allotment made today and am sending the paper. File it with the rest. And waite [sic] You see Honey I decided I would never use that much money so I made it 30 instead of the twenty five I said. The other five you can save for junior if or when he comes. Remember it now. Be sure and let me know. I have sent some letters home. I’ll write and tell them to send it to you in case you don’t get there. I hope you do though. Of course you have your own choice. So do as you like. Guess I’ll have to say I love you very much Mommie and stop at that. I do love you Darling even though I haven’t said so. Have a good time whichever place you are at and get Mom something nice for mother’s day. Something on me. Only you pay for it. This allotment won’t come until July. It starts June 1. So I’ll send money this month again. I love you Darling. Love always, Lefty

When he says “I knew something was wrong the night I called you’” I wonder if he means the thing that was wrong was he was being shipped out and was not able to tell her. Also now they have consummated their marriage could “Junior” be on the way?

Next there is another letter from Grandma Susie. I found some of it pertains to what is going on with Dad.

2 May, Pasadena, California

Dear Kids, Got Lefty’s letter today and sure was glad to get it for we have been anxious to hear for the Betty who lives in Barnes house told me her brother in law [sic] who was in the Inf. (Infantry) in Durham had been sent to a port of embarkation. She said he was in the 35^th Div. so we just been worried. So were glad you had a 3 day pass so you could sort of look the country over around there. Sounds like the Co. (Company) party was lots of fun. Finally got a letter from Gerald says he’s OK only took this one 18 days to get there. He said he got a card I had mailed in Jan and he said he got it in March, also got a V mail letter and another letter so I guess most of my letters are getting through. So I just got my ironing done. Well its 12:00 so guess I better go to bed. Lots of love, Mom and Pop

So it seems Grandma Susie is more up-to-date than she knows. Dad has already gone to the port of embarkation by the time she wrote this.

Marvin Cain’s Family sent me a typed timeline given to Mr. Cain, at an unknown time. It is called “Various Stations and areas occupied by the 35^th Quartermaster (QM) since it’s entry into active federal service” I will reference it to help us get a better idea of the the progression of the 35^th Quartermaster and where they were. Because the letters are censored Dad is not able to tell us where he is or what he is doing. I realized now that it will come in handy to see where, according to this sheet, Dad’s battalion was and when.

5 May (QM) Departed for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey

6 May, Unknown Place

Hi Honey, Well how was your trip. I didn’t enjoy mine at all. Anyway I slept most of the way. Did I have a headache from it. And were we dirty this morning. I didn’t get to call you but I said if Mrs. Sill was coming out I wouldn’t She did didn’t she. Remember I told you I won another $30. Well I paid Bob and now we have that settled. Of course I have a little left but I think I’ll save that for a rainy day. So far we haven’t had any mail go out so I haven’t written. I’m not sure this will but you’ll get it sometime. Just don’t worry. You know I’m not much of a writer and it maybe sometime between times. I love you Darling, Be good and tell everyone help for me. Lefty

Not much of a writer? Dad wrote a whole suitcase of letters, I guess he does not realize that up until now he has written two thirds of a suitcase full of letters.

Censored Letter

7 May, Unknown Place

Dearest Wife, I have been wondering all day honey how are you and where. Gosh if only we had some way of corresponding everyday [sic] then I’d know. You should be almost home now anyway so we’ll get the mail going. I’m still hoping you like the car better than you would have the train. Bob and I are trying to write on one bed and between the things we aren’t thinking of to do we aren’t getting much done. Oh! Yes I made another eight fifty today. Not bad huh! If you aren’t careful I’ll have money to send before payday. Well we are somewhere on the East Coast

Very interesting! It seems as though the censor did not want Dad to say exactly where he was as that part of the letter has been cut out.

…in the not too distant future so don’t worry. There are a few things I could tell you. First in case of an emergency see the Red Cross and have them get in touch with me. They can do it much better and faster than you can in person. I have 10,000 insurance made to you and my civilian insurance is still make to Dad. That is only worth cash value if I’m killed out of the states. In case your allotment checks don’t come through well either write them at the address on the slips or me and I’ll try to find out. Guess they are busy there now so it might be a little late. But anyway you’ll get it. I’m making another Class E Allotment as soon as possible. Don’t know when I’ll get it done. Would probably know but haven’t been in much of a hurry. Thats about the low down on what I know now. I’m closing now saying I love you very much. I received a letter from Cloyd (Mom’s cousin) I’ll send. Also got your card. Love always, Lefty

V-Letter From Cloyd Peterson

That scares me. They have been married almost three months and he is telling her what to do “in case.” It is a reality of the era a lot of soldiers are probably doing the same thing writing home to tell their families what to do in case they do not make it home.

11 May QM departed Camp Kilmer, New Jersey to Port of Embarkation at New York

12 May QM Departed from the USA

I found a website about the 134^th Infantry Regiment that tells a bit more about the trip over.

On 12 May 1944, three transports, the SS Edmund B. Alexander, SS General A. E. Anderson and the SS Thomas H. Berry, carrying the main body of the division as part of a mighty convoy steamed out of the Port of New York.

According to this website my father’s division was aboard the SS Thomas H. Berry.

USS Thomas Berry, Courtesy of Wikipedia

15 May, Unknown Place

Dearest Mommie, How’s everything honey. Gosh wish you were here. Sure is a swell moon, and could I ever go for a good talk. I imagine you are either in Nebraska or Kansas. Hope they weren’t too surprised and you have a good time. Mom should be leaving today. Did you let her know you were meeting her there. You know I wish I had told you to write me when you got home. But seeing you didn’t it’s to[sic] late. I’ll have heard now. I was playing Volley Ball tonight and tore that hacked finger nail off. It’s kind of sore but nothing else. I’m so sore from wrestling that another little thing won’t bother. Remember Pee Wee I have told you about. She is in the hospital. Wrecked her car and is in bad shape. I haven’t heard how only Bennett (Harvey L. Bennett) said his mother wrote she was. Sure is some good music on the radio. Sounds good. This is the first time we have had a chance to listen to one since we left Calif. This one is going almost all night and day too. Have I neglected telling you I love you Darling. I do sweet. Very, very much. And wish we were together. We will be soon but just remember I love you until then. I wrote home and told them to send your mail there in case you didn’t get there. So you will get it maybe a little late but for sure. Again I love you Sweet. But I can’t say that enough. You’ll just have to know I love you. All my love, your Husband, Lefty

The moment I have been dreading is now upon him. In the next letter he writes from England. May God be with him and his fellow soldiers.

25 May QM arrived in Bristol, England

25 May 1944, Bristol, England

Darling, Here we are safe and all that, But then no one had to worry about our safety. I have lost that bay window I have been pushing around for a number of years. I was kinda under the weather for a couple days and didn’t eat. Up and coming now though. Did Mom make the trip. You know I was thinking maybe you didn’t let her know you were coming and she got worried about you. I have been pretty much by myself. God how was your trip. I love you very much Mommie and wish I were there. Only I’m not but I can love you just twice as much to pay for it. I’m OK honey keep in touch with Dad. All my love Lefty.

26 May QM arrived at Scarne Cross Camp located in Launceston, Cornwall, England

Note Censor Stamp in Left Hand Corner

26 May, Cornwall, England

Darling, I’ll continue the V Mail on this. The last V Mail I had on hand and that wasn’t much. Of course if I can’t find an air mail stamp you’ll have to waite [sic] awhile. We are having our cash converted and its taking awhile. But before you could send any I’ll have it so for now don’t. It’s free here (V Mail) Oh yes I told you how much I loved you, well I can’t. Hasn’t enough room on all the writing paper in England to say that. But I do love you. Bob and I walked over to a baseball game tonight. A bunch of Negros and white boys were playing. Not a bad game but I’m not much for it. How did you and Dad get along? I imagine you have told me all about that though but I had to have something to write again I ask is Mom in good shape and Pop. By the looks of things honey I could just as well sent you another $5.00 in your allotment. I guess I won’t need it here. I am having a hard time getting this $2.10 spent I had when I came. What will I do with $8.00? I know I’ll save it and maybe—————- I love you Mommie so much I’m about to burst. Believe me I’m thinking of you too. I guess Madeline is sorry she didn’t give up school and get married. I know Bob is certainly unhappy. Mom said something about her not wanting us to get married because it would be harder to part. Well Bob didn’t have to part and he wasn’t married. But I think we are both in the same fix. He feels about as bad. And Mom if you read this or Vi reads part to you. Believe me even if it were hard parting those where the two happiest months in my life. And I knew as Vi knew we wouldn’t have much more time together. I’m not sorry and I’m sure the wife isn’t. Honey I kinda got off the track But it might be months before I get into another mood for writing and I wanted to tell Mom that. Even so I love my Mommie. Bob said to tell you “hi” Did you happen to see Madeline? He hopes you did. Mommie the laugh was on me tonight as we came back from the ball game and I found a cain [sic]. Boy was I happy. Thought I had a fortune. Well at least 20 cents. So I was bragging when one kid gave kind of a silly laugh and said it was a half cent while it is very rare. Well I could have thrown it away but didn’t. Half a cent is better than no sense. I found an air mail stamp so I’ll send this that way. Maybe it will be the V Mail. I love you very much my darling. Be good and keep track of Junior. It’s bedtime. So nite [sic] my Darling. I love you very, very much. All my love, Your Husband.

I can’t tell you how anxious I feel about these next letters. It is now a reality Dad is there to fight for our freedom. He and his fellow soldiers will fight for their lives. I know this will change my father’s life forever.

Robert “Bob” Winter, Harvey L. Bennett, Marvin Cain

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, Army, family, Harvey L. Bennett, Marvin Cain, My Father's Letter's, Robert “Bob” Winter, World War II, World War II Love Letters

Posted by: notsofancynancy | December 7, 2012

World War II, Chapter 8, Pearl Harbor

In honor of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor I thought I should re-post this chapter of my father’s story. We must never forget.

World War II

Chapter 8

Pearl Harbor

December 1941

I am very nervous to read the December 1941 letters. My heart beats fast and I am feeling hot and shaky. Out of all the letters I have read, I know what will happen on 7 December 1941 will be the beginning of the end for many a young man in the United States. I have started to read the letters several times now but I have not been able to get past the first letter. I have held it but I have not been able to open it. So for the sake of preserving history I will push on.

The beginning of December finds Dad still in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and getting pretty bored. But maybe it was more than that. Maybe he was just trying to right the wrongs he made by not visiting Mom on the last furlough he was granted. He will have been in the Army for one year on the 23^rdand he has just turned 22. Something must have been said about not being discharged, or maybe his quest is just to see my Mom before he went to fight in a war that is becoming more real. For now he is focused on getting that furlough long enough to visit my mom and her parents for a few days. I wonder how many others made that last minute choice and got married because of a war. I am sure way more than I can know. The United States was new in the act of war. We had fought several wars but never with the weaponry than will be used to fight this war. Dad is beginning to look at mom family as “his” family. He thinks he will be getting furlough sometime around Christmas in 1941, although he is not certain. There seems not to be much of anything going on other than the usual inspections, watching training films, and having the Army changing its mind about what the soldiers should be doing.

Then this,

You know I told you about a convoy home. Well that blew up. The colonel wouldn’t give permission. We had the generals’ but that was all. Boy we sure were mad, you see it was to get furniture for our day room. The Texas Chamber of Commerce gave $300 for it. I don’t know how we will get it here. I suppose we won’t. Maybe he will change his mind.

I am not sure why the Texas Chamber would give the Nebraska boys who are in Arkansas money. But it looks like they cannot find a way to get it to Arkansas anyway. Wait! I remember some Texas Girls made a stand about the 15 mile hike can this be why?

In the same envelope he writes to Grandma,

Well I guess we get travel time on our furlough but that is all. They are giving 10 days and 1 day for every 500 miles on the road. I really don’t know what to do. Right now all I can get off is the 31^st and I don’t know about coming then. I asked the Co Clerk and he said he didn’t think I could get gone any before that, I still have the top kick to ask. I think he’ll let me go around the 20^th.Right now he is engaged in a big crap game and I couldn’t possibly interrupt that. If I did I know darn well I wouldn’t go. Darn the Army anyway.

There you go he is still thinking he is going to get a furlough but they have just pushed the date back. Did stuff like that really happen? It brings back memories of the television series MASH, sitting around in their underwear, smoking cigars, and playing cards. Although the actors in MASH were in a war zone these men were not worried about it. No one realizes what is going to happen in little less than a week.

When I think of Hawaii I see surfers, palm tree’s, beaches, beautifully brown skin kissed by the sun, girls in hula skirts, men in beautiful costumes, drums, drinks served in pineapples with umbrella’s, fruit, and a kicked back life. I cannot get my mind wrapped around the actual event that happened there on that December day in 1941.Although I know that Hawaii is a beautifully magical land, I am now aware that this horrific event happened there. Thankfully my father was not at Pearl Harbor but I cannot help thinking how many men were killed. I believe in my mind I have always kept Hawaii separate from the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. This catastrophic event would seal our fate and send our soldiers into a frenzy knowing it was now their duty to guard the United States. As I write this I feel frantic to read what was written in this next set of letters but let’s take a look at the facts of the bombing.

According to Wikipedia (Click Here) a little before 8 am on 7 December 1941 a swarm of over 300 Japanese planes filled the sky in a surprise attack over Pearl Harbor Naval base. It was located on the island of Honolulu in a perfect horseshoe bay called Pearl Harbor. It was a Sunday and a lot of the service people were off the base to attend Sunday church services, or it might have been a whole lot worse.

It would be a time where the people of the United States were scared and many paranoid. My family came to the United States to get away from war. Never before had it hit so close to home and never had our people felt so vulnerable. When the smoke cleared and inventory was taken over 2,500 people were killed and 1,000 were wounded. All eight of the Navy battleships were damaged and of those, four sunk. Also damaged or destroyed in the attack were three cruisers, three destroyers, and approximately 180 airplanes. Thankfully four of the Japanese’s intended targets were missed. Three of our biggest battleships were out at sea and thankfully the fuel tanks located on the island were missed. The attack was the last straw in failing communications between Japan and the United States. This is what my father and his buddies had been joking about the last few years, having to actually fight in a war. The safety of the United States just got dumped on these young men’s shoulders. My father told me of being sent to California to guard the coast from any further attack. I cannot even imagine what it felt like to be being threatened with that kind of force here in the United States?

8 December, President Roosevelt came over the radio wires with the same sentiment others in the United States felt.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941–a date which will live in infamy–the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Anyone who was living that day would always remember where they were and what they were doing when the news of the attack reached them. The whole country was unbelievably surprised by this attack and it sent more than one American’s life into tailspin of uncertainty.

I have seen the movies of Pearl Harbor and not once has it hit me as hard as this research into the causalities of Pearl Harbor. Maybe it is because now I am looking at it for more personal reasons. I am anxious to find out how this bombing will play out in my father’s story. To me this is the one incident that would change my father’s life forever. I wonder if he had gotten home in 1941might my parents have gotten married? The way Dad is talking right now I think it is a possibility. This one earth shattering event affected not only my family but the families of over 17 million men and woman who served in this war.

Still in Arkansas on 11 December 1941 he writes to my mom,

Up until an hour ago I still had hopes in coming home only for four days. Then a bomb struck them. [Sic} Where will we be by then, God only knows. I only hope we get it over with in a hurry. There is so much I haven’t done and I would like to. Well here are the circumstances good or bad. We might move from here in a half an hour and it might be six months before we go. That is as much as I can tell you. I know one thing though I was a damn fool for not coming when I had a chance. I guess that is too late now. Remember though it is the same as when I was up there before. You’re the only thing I really have left. I hope I can say that???? I guess you can tell me what your Grandmother gave you. I am sure I will be home for some Xmas but not this one damnit. I never did plan ahead of time that worked [Sic}. No I guess you didn’t say you made up your mind. Well we have one thing in common now. At least we won’t argue about it for a while. I had a good argument to put up though when I got there. Hope you had a good time while you were in Emporia. I imagine you did though. I haven’t much to say so I guess I better quit. Adios, Lefty, Tell everyone hello.

He sounds so desperate and alone. He has his family in Nebraska but his dad is not healthy and will soon go to live with my father’s brother, Dad’s Mom has been gone for four years now and I am not sure why he does not have much contact with his brothers and sisters. He has family who writes him but he does not have the connection he has with my grandparents. It is sad to think he felt so alone. I am really glad he had my mom and her family. It is beginning to make me realize why Dad was always so loyal to my mom’s parents. He was always close with them and you could tell how much he loved and respected them. After my grandfather died in 1972 my father would drive the half hour to Grandma’s house twice a week. Towards the end of her life in 1996 he drove there every day to help care for her. That is right Grandma lived another 24 years living alone. Grandma did not learn to drive when she came to California and 30 years later when Grandpa passed she had to learn. She was 71 years old. It was a scary time in our family, we were fearful to be on the roads at the same time!

19 December 1941 finds the letter postmarked from Big Springs Texas. So they are on the move and there is more uncertainty,

Well here I am again. We left camp last night bound for God only know where. We are somewhere in Texas now. All we know it that it is suppose to take four days to get us to our destination. We are going by train (Note is scribbled) so if you can’t read this than it isn’t my fault. There isn’t much to write about only I love you. Wish I was headed your way instead of this. I have been on guard for the last two nits. [Sic] Sure am tired. Have 2 more Hrs and then I am done I hope. They split our Co in half. Half is with Co F 110^th Engineers that is what I am in. Half is with Co E 110QM. I hope the whole Co. gets together again. We don’t even know whether they are going the same way. Well I guess I better close by the time you figure this out you will probably be gray haired. All my love, Lefty, Merry Xmas.

The only thing different in the letter he wrote to Grandma was,

I don’t think there is anything to get worried about though. Anyway no one is here is. As far as we know Calif [Sic} is our limit. Maybe we will get to shoot a jay yet. We were supposed to have a convoy last Sunday but they could not get flat cars in fast enough to load the trucks. So we were waylaid until Thursday. Merry Xmas, Lefty

The next is this postcard dated the 20^th,

20 December 1941-post marked Bowie, Arizona

It says “Good Scenery here too, Love Lefty.

The Letter on the 21^th we find him on a train where he writes,

I am just leaving Los Angeles. Not what I expected though. As far as I know we are still going west. I guess we are pretty sure to go to Ft. Ord Calif. for a while. In all the places I have been in yet I’ll take this. Boy you can sure see a lot (of mountains) We have been in them the last two days. That is in and out of them. I always though Texas was grazing country well what I saw of it was mostly farming. New Mexico and Arizona are the ones for that. Always [Sic] across both of them that was all we saw. I believe I had rather driven down though. I believe we could have had more fun. It would be colder though. I guess we are going through a tunnel before long. Anyway they just came along and told us to close our windows. I am getting a lot of experience on this trip. Just think right now there is an orange grove on each side. Everything is green and it is plenty warm. I wish you and I were taking this trip together, I sure bet we could have the fun. That was quite a tunnel. There seems to be more rocks on this side. That was a double header. On [Sic] another it seems to be a habit now. We seem to have a lot of them. This one seems to be a long one. We have the lights on in the car. Boy that really was a long one. The gas from the engine almost got us. It must have been all of a mile long. Gosh I can’t think of much more to say right now so I will close until later.

26 December 1941 finds him in California. There are two letters with the same date on them.

Darling, well guess what! I am still alive. Wouldn’t you know it? We sure have been having a time here. I have been on guard for the last 40 hours. No let up in site either. We have to stand until the company comes back. They are someplace around here close. Pardon the pencil but I just ran out of ink and everyone who seems to have some is gone. It’s just as good though. You probably wouldn’t be able to read it anyway. Gosh darling I wish I were there instead of this damn hole. I never did like to break promises. We could have so much fun if it wasn’t for the Japs. [Sic} Just wait. When my chance comes I’ll make them pay for it. That is if they don’t see me first. I am about a man to shoot the _ _ _ _ out of someone anyway. Well I guess I better close for now.

That makes me want to tell him to be careful! I know that he feels like it is his duty to keep us safe no matter what the cost to him would have been. It is how my dad rolled.

To Grandma he writes,

Well by now you probably know I am in Calif. This is sure quite a place. It is a lot larger than Robinson is. We can harbor 40,000 men and if need be 80,000. I don’t know how many are here now. I know we are sure having a time. I have been on guard for the last 40 hrs. Boy am I tired. This is some way to spend Christmas Eve. There are only about 19 here, The rest took off this afternoon. We don’t know where they are or when they will be back. Only we do know that we are stuck with guard until they get back. They are taking every precaution against attacks. We even have ammunition on guard. About the first time in the last year. Well there isn’t much to write about. A motor cycle rider just came back from the rest. They ain’t [Sic] so far. I guess every truck in the Co. is going into San Francisco tonight. Boy I sure would like to be them. Maybe there would be some excitement. There sure isn’t here yet! Boy I sure would have liked to come up. It kind of hurt at first but there wasn’t anything I could possible do about it so I guess I have to do the best I can. Half of the Co came through K. C. Wichita and as far as I know Salina. I guess it was after night though. I guess I better get some sleep. As ever, Lefty.

Wait did I read that right? “We even have ammunition on guard?” I am not sure that is a good thing with my dad feeling as desperate as he is right now.

And the second one reads,

Darling, Well I was right we are in Fr. Ord. how long I can’t say. This is quite a place. Have seen a little of it by now. We got here at 5 this morning (Mon.) unloaded and was going to take it easy. Well guess what, they called us out to help more inf. in. Well we were still going at 7:30 tonight. This camp holds 40,000 men. Quite a lot larger than Jolly Joe’s. We have barracks here. They seem OK so far. Not quite so much privacy but it isn’t bad. Things seem a lot better here than there. Anyway it is warmer. We have a nice view of the ocean form here. In fact we are only about a half mile from there. The rest of the company has not gotten here yet. I think now they will because most of the rest have shown up. Well must close for now and hope to hear from you soon. All my love, Lefty.

Ft. Ord is 80 miles south of San Francisco. It is 20,000 miles of prime beachfront property. Originally designated as Ft. Gigling, it was established as a military training base in 1917. With beach side training as well as providing wooded terrain and excellent training ground. It was also good having a ton of soldiers on the coast to protect it at the same time.

(The California Military Museum click here to learn more)

Viola wearing Grandpa WWI Uniform

27 December 1941

I wrote a little last night but I haven’t anything to do now so I guess I will write again. Boy I am tired. Haven’t been in bed for so long I don’t know how it would feel. I might get a few minutes tonight in a bed, I hope. Had a good chance last night but we had to take the trucks out in the woods and hide them. Then we tried to sleep in the cabs. Boy if I ever get in those positions again I think I will die. Boy I couldn’t even straighten up this morning. I was so tired I couldn’t stay awake and I was a whole lot worse this morning. This is what I think of you joining the Ambulance Service. Don’t do it. You don’t know what you are in for, then if we can’t win this war without you we will deserve to lose it. If you think anything of me at all don’t do it. I have never asked much of you but I am asking this. That would just about be the end of us. If you know what I mean. And I hope you do because I love you. Bye now, Love, Lefty.

Well I guess he told her. I know this was also a hard time for the women in the United States. All of the people of the United States were thinking of ways to help in the war effort.

29 December 1941

Well here I am again and believe me I feel rotten. We got a good night’s sleep last night and it didn’t agree I guess. We get the afternoon off if the trucks don’t go out. I am taking all bets they do though. We can’t even go to town. And think of it we broke the last ping pong ball and now we have nothing to do. I really don’t know how sleeping would be but I suppose will find out. You know in every game a suckers had. Well we are on our way out. I don’t know how soon. So as far as I am concerned you won’t need to keep up with me anymore unless you want to. I might be here tomorrow and I might be somewhere else. Who knows. Anyway it has been nice knowing you and if it wasn’t for the darn Army I am sure we could have gotten together. The way it is I really believe it is better this way. I want your opinion on this whole darn subject. There isn’t anyone in the world I would rather have on my side than you. I’ll probably be sorry I even wrote this but if it does happen there is going to be a lot of grief for you. There will be times I won’t be able to write and times you won’t get the letters I do write. Take your choice. This is going to be a long war. Well the wind doesn’t blow so hard here but it has rained every day since we got here. Believe me it sure has been a job keeping dry. Especially if you are on guard. As ever, lefty.

He sounds so depressed and hopeless! What will happen in the next months? I am interested to find out. I found this tidbit interesting; the average annual rainfall in at Ft. Ord is 14 inches and almost always occurs between November and April. No wonder it is raining so much. Those soldiers do not have a chance of drying out. I do not remember my dad talking about taking the trucks out each night and hiding them from sight. How long would he have to do this? How many nights would he end up sleeping in the cab of his truck? I wonder how many other soldiers were feeling the same way as he did, hopeless and uncertain.

1941 has been a big year for my father. First the National Guard, then the Army, then he fell in love, and now he is talking about sacrificing his life in honor of his country’s freedom. I don’t believe that he will ever be the same again.

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: 110th Quartermaster, 35th Quartermaster, 7 December 1941, Army, Camp Robinson, History, My Father's Letter's, Nebraska, Pearl Harbor, World War II, WWII Letters