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 10 Jan 1945.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Jan. 9, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I love you with all my heart.  —  That’s about all I can think of to say.  I guess maybe I must be storing up all the news for a future letter.  Anyway, I can’t think of anything I can tell you now.

     I received your Christmas card.  It was a little late but the tardiness didn’t change any of the words of the meaning.  It was a swell card, Sweetheart.  For some reason, the postmaster sent it 3¢ mail in stead of Air Mail.  It seems to me that they would have returned it to you for more postage, but they didn’t.  I got it though, that’s all that matters.

     Well, I was wishing for something to write about and I got it.  I went to take a shower and when I got back, the wind had blown the tent down.  It didn’t do much damage though.  The only trouble was that it took 6 of us to put it back up.  We just got it back up and here I am again.

    Sweetheart, I’m glad that you are saving money.  I know it will be needed in another year or two, but don’t overdo it.  You tell me that you would like to have or need some dresses or new clothes; but then you say you’d rather save the money.  I can’t say that I would like yo for you to every penny you get on clothes, but I don’t want you to do without when you need something.  When you go someplace, I want you to be dressed just as nice and nicer than anybody else.  I know you will look nicer and I want you to be dressed nicer also.  There are two extremes and people love to talk on either one.  You won’t be able to hit the happy medium, I know.  Some people will just talk regardless of what you do.  You can try though.  I want you to have some good, new clothes.  I’m afraid I couldn’t quite see a new fur coat right at the present, but you know what I mean.

     You keep asking me what I you can send me.  Well, I think there are two things I would appreciate more than anything else (except letters, of course).   They are home-made cookies and some kind of fruit.  I doubt if free fruit would get here, but I’m hungry for any kind – just so it is fruit.

     Thank your folks for the Christmas present for me.  I know it will sure come in handy and it will be put to good use.  How are Uncle R______ and Aunt D—–?  Tell them hello for me when you write them.  I wish I could find time to write but I haven’t been able to as yet.  How’s the farm coming along?  Are your folks still as busy as usual?  Seems like they were always busy doing something whether there was any work to do or not?  How are they?  Tell your mother I would like to hear from her and your dad.  The last letter I got from her wasn’t so pleasant.  That’s all over now, though.

     You might tell Marty that there are quite a few thousand guys out here that would like to be shipped back C.O.D.  I’m afraid the package wouldn’t pass the censor though.  You might also tell her not to use that kind of language.  The censor can’t help it.

     There was one sentence in your Dec. 27th letter that was very pleasant in an ironical way.  At the time I thought it was rather humorous.  The letter came in the afternoon while I was taking a shower.  It was waiting for me when I got back so I just squatted down in front of my tent and read your letter.  All I had on was my shoes and glasses, that’s why your statement struck me as being funny.  Your statement was, “I can almost see you now.”  Well, what do you think?

     Well, Sweetheart, the mail just came in and I got 1 letter.  It wasn’t the one I wanted but one part was rather interesting.  Dad sold the convertible.  With the money he received, which was all cash, he bought $1300 worth of Bonds.  The bonds are in my and his name.

     That’s about all I can think of for now.  It’s time for mail collection and I want this to go out tomorrow.  I love you Sweetheart.

     Goodnight Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart