Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Ward 43, U.S.N.H., St. Albans, L.I., N.Y.  Postmarked at Jamaica, N.Y., on 16 Apr 1946 at 1:30 P.M.]

April 16, 1946

Hello Sweetheart,

     I went to the show in the auditorium last night.  What a picture!!  “Lost Week-end”  It was the funniest thing – the first place everybody went after the show was the nearest drinking fountain.  The picture made me so thirsty that I couldn’t get enough water afterwards.

     I got some “personel affects” back yesterday.  It was some things that I had in my blanket roll, I think.  There may have been some things fom my sea bag too.  I don’t remember taking both pair of glasses with me.  Anyhow, I got the glasses – one pair all broken to pieces and the other pair in one piece.  They also sent back some letters and 15 stamped envelopes.  I had to throw most of it away.  It was green with mould and mildew.  What a lovely smell.

     We’re going bowling this afternoon.  I’m on the ward team this week.  We (the 43 Cripples) are bowling “The 102 Plastics.”  Everyone on our team has either a bad arm of leg; and the other team, every man has had plastic surgery work done on his face.  There isn’t anything wrong with their arms and legs.

     No more news Sweetheart.  There isn’t a thing left to write but I love you.  You already know that so I’ll just tell you again away.  I love you Sweetheart.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant dreams
                    Goodnight Sweetheart
                         x x     ‘Nite

xx

The trailer for The Lost Weekend (1945):