Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  “Frankfort, Indiana” crossed out in ink and replaced with “Oakwood, Ill.”  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 7 Mar 1945, and at Frankfort, Ind. on 15 Mar 1945, 2 P.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Mar. 5, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     Well, Sweetheart, here we go.  In a way I almost hate to start.  It is extremely hot.  The persperation is just dripping off me.  It’s very hard to keep it off my glasses so I can see what I’m doing.  Then to help things along, I have a nice cold.  The nose-blowing or sniffing doesn’t bother me much but I have a nice cough with it that is annoying.  It makes me hotter to cough.  Can’t help it though.

     I love you Sweetheart.  Bet you didn’t know that, did you?  How is my mail coming through?  There should be some.  Really!!  Is it coming the same as mine?  In the last three days, I have received 8 letters from you dating from Feb. 2 to the 22nd.

     Before I start answering questions, there is something I must tell you.  You may already know about it, I don’t know.  It’s about Dad.  Have you heard from any of them lately?  In case you haven’t I’ll tell you about it.  Around 7 o’clock on the night of Feb. 17, Dad had a heart attack.  It must have been pretty bad.  The doctors said that unless he stayed flat on his back for at least 6 weeks, it might be too bad.  Any one of this type attack could be fatal.  I haven’t heard too much about it myself.  Do you think you could or should go down and see him?  It is up to you Sweetheart.  I won’t tell you that you should or have to or anything like that.  It’s entirely up to you.  If you want to go, not if you should.  I won’t be mad if you don’t.  I love you, Sweetheart.  You are all in this world I care for or about.  Just as long as nothing happens to you and you are happy Sweetheart, I’ll be happy.  You are the only person I worry about.  Do things as you see fit.

     Now, Sweetheart, let’s see again what you had to say in your letters.  I don’t remember right at the present if there were many questions, but I’ll soon find out.  I love you Sweetheart.

     Well, I guess you setlled that question about eating crackers in bed.  I solemnly swear that I will never eat another cracker in bed. – – – unless I can get my hands on some more while I am in bed or you are eating them with me.  Now, does that th take care of that little item satisfactorily?  I hope so.

     You keep asking what you can send me.  Well, Sweetheart, I think you’d better slow down and not send any packages for a while.  It’s been quite a while since I have received any packages.  I’m afraid they are holding them up like the 1st Class mail.  According to your letters, I must have a regular boat fl full of them somewhere.  I’m almost positive that I will get them all at once.  I dread that day.  What I will I do with all the stuff.  I won’t be able to eat it all myself; I don’t have any place to store it; and I won’t be able to give it away: – everybody will be in the same predicament.  I could use a couple of them right now.  I’m hungry, but we will be eating pretty soon.  In case you didn’t guess, I’m very unhappy with the delivery service.  Tough – isn’t it?

     Say, what ever happened to those snap-shots I asked for?  Didn’t you get that letter of mine asking for them?  You know, I only have two pictures of you.  One of them neither one of us care for.  That leaves just one, you standing in from of Kepner’s.  Send me some pictures, that’s what I really want right now.  Well, anyway, that much is possible.  I want you not your picture.  Every body has pictures and there is nothing they like better to do than show them off.  All I have is pictures of the folks that they sent me.  I don’t particularly care to show them.  i want to show youoff.  I’m proud of you Sweetheart.  That in itself makes all the difference in the world.  I also want to see this new hair-do you tell me about.  It has me wondering.  I’m hoping for the best.  Let’s see it, now.  Everything else sounds pretty good – the cost, the comments of other people, and your reactions to it.  How about getting my opinion on it?  I have to see it first though.

     Tell Dick “hello” for me.  I really get a big kick out of those parts of your letters telling about his concern for me.  I really enjoy it.  How is he making out with his farm?

     Well, I now know about Queen.  Your letter came giving the explanation.  It was rather queer before.  Here she was coming home before I knew she was away or why.  Everything is cleared up now.

     While we’re on that subject, what about Lois?  When, and all that sort of thing.  I wonder what Lois would think if she knew it took Queen to remind me of her.  Well, it wasn’t that bad, but it almost sonds sounds like it, doesn’t it?  I wrote Harry this morning and told him I was going to be an “Uncle” again.  Be sure an give me the blow by blow description.  In fact, give me all the latest gossip.  I like to hear what’s going on around the place.  I must keep up with the news you know.  I have to know what’s going on so I’ll be up to date when I do finally come home.

     Well, I just got back from chow.  I almost missed it.  Just too busy writing to my sweet and lovely wife.  I argued my way in though.  We didn’t have much tonight – 2 weiners, peas, turnips, a piece of devil’s food cake and some orange drink.  My hunger is satisfied though – for the present.

     Now, I think I’d better give a little explanation as to why this is the last page of this letter even though I haven’t said all I wanted to.  All my stamps are on envelopes, I can’t get any more stamps right at the present, and 5 pages is all I can send for 6¢.  Now does that cover it?  Remember that Sweetheart.  Maybe it will explain why some of my letters are cut short. (if you consider 5 pages as short)

     I must go take a shower now Sweetheart and go to Sick Bay.  The Fungus I had under my arms is now all over me.  They can’t do much for it but they do slow it down.  I love you Sweetheart.  All my day-dreams concern you.  They are always about us together, Past and Future.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleasant Dreams.
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart