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| Pratt Theater, Circa 1940s |
Mom and Dad enjoyed seeing movies together, and many of those films they introduced to us kids later on in the 1950’s and 1960’s, when those movies appeared on TV. One that Mom particularly enjoyed was JANE EYRE with Orson Wells and Joan Fontaine a movie Mom and Dad had seen together in 1944.
My dearest Mom & Dad,
I don’t know how I can get your son to write to you, but I will try some drastic measure.
Elwood got home early today, about eleven o’clock. He also had a weekend pass. The soldier next door had a beautiful birthday today, so Elwood and I decided to buy him a present. So we skipped uptown and started looking for a nice present. Elwood suggested a box of candy, and I said, “Oh, no! That’s such a routine gift. Let’s get him something out of the ordinary.” I dragged the poor boy all over the place until I found something out of the ordinary, a box of candy…ye gads!!
The couple next door, Elwood, and I went to the museum yesterday, then we went to a movie, RHAPSODY IN BLUE with Robert Alda and Alexis Smith, a very nice way to spend a Sunday, I think. (On the way, of course, I fell down the stairs and landed on the cement walk. OUCH!). It went with the movie we saw anyway. I was black & BLUE.
I received a letter from my mother today. She hasn’t heard from my brother Ed since the 6th of January and is quite worried. To top that off, Sunday evening, my mother’s sister got word her son is missing in action. I think you remember my telling you about my cousin, Al. He has a wife and two children. It’s really getting close, isn’t it?
Well, sweethearts, the couple next door want us to sing them to sleep, so for now, I’ll say good night. Thanks a million for being so prompt with the money. Write soon, and God bless you both.
Dad was relocated to the base in Pratt, Kansas, where Mom would be joining him soon. It was a nomad life being taken from one place to the next, and even in this country, Dad was not always allowed to reveal where he would be going next. He and Mom longed for a stable life and a little home of their own. Dad’s next assignment was to be on the island of Guam in the Pacific.
March 7, 1945
Dearest Mom and Dad,
This won’t be much of a letter, as I am in a very blue mood today. You see, I just received word about my cousin Al, being killed in action. Why, oh why do things like that have to happen? He was one of the sweetest boys I have ever known. His poor wife is completely lost…and he has two of the sweetest babies. I feel just terrible about it.
When our government check arrives, please send it to the Pratt, Kansas address, because I’ll probably be here until next winter. I really don’t like Kansas, but as long as Elwood is here, that’s the main thing. We are quite sure of a furlough by June.
Do you know what? Elwood and I will have known each other five years on April 3. That’s really something, isn’t it?
Elwood and I were so very pleased to hear from Dad, and the letter, my gosh did we laugh! He should be writing Bob Hope’s material.
My goodness, it’s cold here! I guess I will have pork chops for dinner today. It’s the first time I’ve been able to find any since I was in Hammond. I made some homemade vegetable soup yesterday and I have a little left over, so I guess I will use that as an appetizer. You should see the sergeant eat! Honestly, I can’t believe it. I don’t need to tell you it makes me plenty happy.
Well my good people, me thinks I will say good-bye for now. I shall try to make my next letter more cheerful.
