Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana. Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif. Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 1 Dec 1944, A.M. Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Nov. 29, 1944

Hello Sweetheart,

     I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to extend my Christmas greetings in any way other than by a letter.  Then they handed out these cards.  I’d like to send separate cards, but I’m afraid that will be impossible.  This will have to do for every body there – you, your Mother and Dad, and the pups.  I hope all of you there at home are well and much happier than we were a year ago.  It’s a rather unpleasant subject to bring up, but it’s on my mind so I’ll say it.  I’m terribly sorry it all happened.  That holiday season should have been very merry; but through ignorance on my part, it was far from it.  I am living and learning as does every one.  That is all in the past; it is something we should all remember, but there is no need to worry about it.  As I said before, it is in the past.  Let’s keep it there.  This Christmas, things are much different.  As far as I know, there is only one thing to be unhappy about.  In the past year, a lot of changes have taken place.  Now, in stead of having one Mother and one Father, I have two.  Most of all though, I have the sweetest and swellest person in the world as my wife.  If anybody was came out on the short end of that transaction, I definitely know that it was not I.  I think that you, all three of you, are the best.  I’m very proud to be so connected to the family – to call you Mother and Dad, and my wife.  I’m very happy at the present with the way things are back there.  Maybe I don’t know the whole story, but I hope I know enough to say that.  If we could all be together, I don’t see how any thing could be wrong with the world.  I know I’d be the happiest person in it.  But, there are many things wrong with this world we live in and call “our” world.  The way things look, we won’t have that little get-to-gether until quite a few things are settled on this side.  Then I will be able to get back on the right side of this old world of ours.  We’ll be back together, living like a family should.  I know living conditions will be quite different, but this will be a world at peace.  That’s all I can possibly ask.  After that, it will just take time, brawn, and brains.  I think all of those can be well taken care of in this family.  I hate to stop now, but there isn’t a lot of room left for me to write.

     Merry Christmas Everybody
          All my love to you all,
               R.