Spitball Army

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 10 April 1944 at 8 p.m.]

April – 4 – 44.

Dear Ralph,

Just got myself a much needed haircut after waiting in line for almost two hours so now will attempt to answer a few letters.  Boy will it ever be a pleasure to get away from these darn continual lines.  Wait till we stand in that long line for our discharge papers.  That will be okay.  Remember Tony Berlucci?  He is a Chief Officer now, somewhere in this area, on one of your Yard #2 products.  Would like to run into him.  Not much chance though because our stay here is just about over.  Just my luck too, after meeting a lovely blonde recently.  Winter will soon be here though, so I don’t mind moving out.  Say, none of us can take cool weather anymore.  Don’t know how I’ll like that bay-region fog and cold if and when we get to it again.  Guess I’ll have to roll out the long handles.

So long for now.
Bud

Night descends on Coney Island in this scene from Little Fugitive. I finally saw this gem of a film this past August, after having it on my wish list for many years. It was wonderful.

Card is titled: “V-609:-Moonlight Over the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Near the Famous Skyline Drive. A Portion of Skyland Shows to Right.”

Printed on back of post card:

“SKYLAND”, VA

At the summit of the highest mountain in the State of Virginia, and in the most picturesque portion of the Blue Ridge on the famous Skyline Drive is located Skyland, just nine miles east of the town of Luray. No resort in the eastern United States can boast of more beautiful scenic surroundings than Skyland, situated as it is on top of a lofty mountain, with seas of undulating mountain peaks stretching as far as the eye can reach.

Text of written message:

Dear Mom, Paul & Julia

Glad to here that you took last Sunday off and rested from working so hard Sat. I’d let Elmer have the alfalfa but if he gives you anything take it – because I know he is getting the best end – Glad you can handle car OK Paul. No parades for this camp – except the whole sample turned out July 3, for dedication. Not me – I wrote you about it. No fire works any place I went over week end. About the pictures you sent – nose and height looks like me. Sent $10.00. I have a chance to get some clothes from Army through the Lieutenant – still have $8.00. Regards, Craig

Publishing information:

Published by Asheville Post Card Co., Asheville, N.C.  Made in U.S.A.

Nope, never have. But I’ve been to Spanish Harlem and a couple of Spanish restaurants. Does that count? My surname is my direct link to Andalusia, but I feel like a faker without having set foot on Iberian soil. One day that will change.

Approximate playing time: 69 minutes.

1. Django Reinhardt  “Echoes of Spain”  (1939)
2. Three Dog Night  “Never Been to Spain”  (1971)
3. Pernice Brothers  “Conscience Clean (I Went to Spain)”  (2006)
4. The Clash  “Spanish Bombs”  (1979)
5. Bruce Springsteen  “Spanish Eyes”  (1978)
6. Bob Dylan  “Spanish Harlem Incident”  (1964)
7. The Doors  “Spanish Caravan”  (1968)
8. Magnolia Electric Co.  “Spanish Moon Fall and Rise”  (2007)
9. The Rising Sons  “Spanish Lace Blues”  (1966)
10. Buster Poindexter and The Banshees of Blue  “Castle in Spain”  (1988)
11. Bobby Matos & John Santos  “I Don’t Speak Spanish…(But I Understand Everything When I’m Dancing)”
12. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass  “Spanish Flea”  (1965)
13. Howard Crockett  “Spanish Lace and Memories”  (1964)
14. Les Paul & Mary Ford  “Lady of Spain”  (1952)
15. Bob Wills  “New Spanish Two-Step”  (1945)
16. Tony Martin  “Spanish Rose”  (1965)
17. London Cast of My Fair Lady  “The Rain in Spain”  (1956)
18. Slowdive  “Spanish Air”  (1991)
19. U2  “Spanish Eyes”  (1987)
20. Emmylou Harris  “Spanish is a Loving Tongue”  (1981)
21. Bob Dylan  “Boots of Spanish Leather”  (1964)

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 26 March 1944 at 2 p.m.]

March 19 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

It’s Sunday night over here so I’ll answer your letter while it’s fairly quiet around the barracks.  Tomorrow night I’m going to town with some of the boys for dinner and a show.  I like to keep caught up with my mail because you never know how soon some more will come in.  Gee I could hardly make out this last letter of yours.  The writing was pretty heavy and the whole page was photographed dark.  How do mine come out?  So they are clamping down on deferments are they?  My older brother is afraid he may be called up any time.  He is in #A and has 3 children so I don’t look for him to get it right away.  Nothing new from over here, except that I heard from Harry Teason the other day.  He’s still over here and says that Don is probably back home by now.  I see where the first and second battalions just got home a while ago after 23 months overseas.  Nice future for us huh?  So long for now.

Write again
Bud.

One of the funniest bits from the altogether uproarious 1956 Danny Kaye vehicle, The Court Jester:

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 22 March 1944 at 9 p.m.]

March 16 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Well here I am back at the old grind again, and find I have a lot of letters to catch up with.  Just got back from Sydney last night after a very nice time there.  I was lucky in catching a free ride down a [CENSORED] and made the [CENSORED].  That was really a thrill for me (my first time up) and to, seeing the beautiful country and sea shore from up amongst the clouds.  That’s the travel for me (if I can afford it later).  Of course you know Sydney was perfect for me, lots of entertainment, a nice girl to keep company with, the best beer in the world, in fact you just forget that there’s a war going on.  Wouldn’t mind at all if they would station us there permanently.  No such luck though, with so much to be done elsewhere.  Yes, all Seabees are now coming from the draft Ralph.  You have your choice.  Say they can start measuring me for a civilian any time now, it would suit me fine.  Heard from Harry.  Guess he is still here in Australia too.  So long for now.

Write again
Bud.