{"id":6694,"date":"2009-12-24T00:01:15","date_gmt":"2009-12-24T05:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/?p=6694"},"modified":"2010-07-20T10:39:07","modified_gmt":"2010-07-20T15:39:07","slug":"rex-to-ann-25-december-1944","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/?p=6694","title":{"rendered":"Richard to Alice: 25 December 1944 (letter 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pfc. Richard
\nCo. G, 2nd<\/sup> Bri., 1st<\/sup> Mar.
\nc\/o F.P.O., San Francisco, California<\/span><\/p>\n

Dec. 25, 1944<\/span><\/p>\n

Hello Sweetheart,<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the day\u2026.Christmas Day 1944.\u00a0 <\/span>My first Christmas out of Indiana and our first Christmas \u2013 you in Indiana and me thousands of miles away.\u00a0 <\/span>Not a very merry Christmas.\u00a0 <\/span>Yesterday was Sunday, as you know, and Christmas Eve.\u00a0 <\/span>As far as the weather was concerned, it was a nice day; but to me, it was not a Christmas day.\u00a0 <\/span>It was clear and very hot.\u00a0 <\/span>It was so hot, I decided to go swimming.\u00a0 <\/span>It was the first time in almost 2 months that I have been in the water.\u00a0 <\/span>I haven\u2019t been able to figure out yet whether it did me any good or not.\u00a0 <\/span>Two of the fellows in the tent were going so I went with them.\u00a0 <\/span>There is only one place around this part of the island that we are supposed to swim.\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s a pretty nice place. I do wish it had some kind of a sand beach though.\u00a0 <\/span>The corral [coral] and shells are so easy on bare feet.\u00a0 <\/span>They have a walk built about 20 yards long.\u00a0 <\/span>At the end of the walk is a diving board and a diving stand.\u00a0 <\/span>The stand is approximately 7 feet high.\u00a0 <\/span>All around are various corral formations<\/a><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Where the diving board is, the water is between 15 and 20 feet deep and very clear.\u00a0 <\/span>It really is beautiful.\u00a0 <\/span>There are 2 under-water tunnels that I know of formed by the corral.\u00a0 <\/span>They are about 10 feet under the water.\u00a0 <\/span>They really are pretty.\u00a0 <\/span>I just can\u2019t describe the place to you, you\u2019ll have to see it for yourself.\u00a0 <\/span>After we finished our swim, we went up on shore and lay down on the grass.\u00a0 <\/span>Incidently, that is one of the few grassy spots on this part of the island.\u00a0 <\/span>You know how one dreams of a paradise in the South Seas, well, I was thinking about that as I lay there.\u00a0 <\/span>By over-looking the tents and trucks, and all the fellows around there; and by substituting sand for corral on the th<\/span> beach and a house for a tent, that would really be the paradise.\u00a0 <\/span>I was laying there on the grass in the shade of the coconut trees<\/a><\/span> looking around.\u00a0 <\/span>In front of me was the clear blue ocean with a small sail boat aimlessly gliding along.\u00a0 <\/span>Across the water were two small islands dressed in their tropical greens.\u00a0 <\/span>On my left there was a small knoll over-looking the ocean.\u00a0 <\/span>It was the perfect spot for a house.\u00a0 <\/span>A little work and the place would be perfect.\u00a0 <\/span>But in stead, it\u2019s just a place for a large group of Marines to cool off.\u00a0 <\/span>With the present surroundings, it isn\u2019t very romantic.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had something rather queer to happen to me after I got back to the tent.\u00a0 <\/span>I leaned once<\/span> over for some reason and water started dripping out my nose.\u00a0 <\/span>Then it would stop.\u00a0 <\/span>I put my head between my knees for a little bit then straightened up.\u00a0 <\/span>The water just ran out then, it didn\u2019t stop at dripping.\u00a0 <\/span>That lasted for almost a half hour.\u00a0 <\/span>It was the funniest thing.\u00a0 <\/span>The water would start running out my nose.\u00a0 <\/span>It didn\u2019t have any pain connected with it in any way, it just tickled.\u00a0 <\/span>It must have been my sinus<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>I did quite a bit of swimming under water and the pressure must have forced the water in.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s the only thing I can think of.\u00a0 <\/span>I didn\u2019t get any water up my nose or swallow any.\u00a0 <\/span>I guess my head\u2019s cleaned out any way.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s something.<\/span><\/p>\n

I went to the show last night.\u00a0 <\/span>It was a good picture, \u201cThe Conspiriters<\/a><\/span>.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>After the show, a couple of the tents in the company were full of guys singing Christmas songs.\u00a0 <\/span>There was also a group of carolers<\/a><\/span> <\/span>that went around over the island in trucks.\u00a0 <\/span>They had a bank<\/span> band with them.\u00a0 <\/span>It was beautiful music.\u00a0 <\/span>I was listening to the music and thinking about you, Sweetheart, when I went to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s how I spent Christmas Eve.\u00a0 <\/span>This morning the Recrel<\/span> Recreation Officer has a few contests with cash prizes.\u00a0 <\/span>There was an equal number from each company in the Battalion that participated in each <\/span>event.\u00a0 <\/span>I didn\u2019t go but I can name a few of the events for you.\u00a0 <\/span>They had: horseback fight (one man on another back), sack race, grenade throw, tug of war, 50 yard dash, relay race, 5 or 6 matched boxing bouts, and blind boxing.\u00a0 <\/span>The blind boxing was pretty good so I hear.\u00a0 <\/span>They put the gloves on 4 blind-folded men and put them in the ring.\u00a0 <\/span>If one of the guys got off by himself, they fixed him up.\u00a0 <\/span>They had a glove tied on a long pole and would hit him.\u00a0 <\/span>Naturally he would think it was somebody near him and he would beat the air to ribbons.\u00a0 <\/span>Since the fighters couldn\u2019t see, they didn\u2019t know what the score was.\u00a0 <\/span>Our fighter didn\u2019t here the bell ending the fight; and when a Capt., who is in charge of the boxing team, started to take off his blind-fold, Bolanos started hitting him with<\/span> for all he was worth.\u00a0 <\/span>He didn\u2019t stop slugging until he could see who it was.\u00a0 <\/span>I guess it was pretty funny all the way around.\u00a0 <\/span>Oh yes, I forgot to mention one event.\u00a0 <\/span>They had a pie-eating contest with chocolate pie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, just got back from our Christmas dinner.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ll send you the menu.\u00a0 <\/span>It was very good.\u00a0 <\/span>I had all I wanted and I didn\u2019t make myself sick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, Santa Claus just came.\u00a0 <\/span>We had to stand in the hot sun for almost a half hour then we got our presents.\u00a0 <\/span>This consisted of 6 cold bottles of beer, a package of chewing gum, 2 packs of cigarettes, and 1 cigar.\u00a0 <\/span>I sold the beer, and I tried one of their cigars.\u00a0 <\/span>I like cigars but not this one.\u00a0 <\/span>The Wrigley\u2019s Spearmint gum<\/a><\/span> is good though if you chew it.\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t chew very often.\u00a0 <\/span>We were supposed to get 11 bottles of beer apiece.\u00a0 <\/span>We paid 50\u00a2 for 5 and they were to give us 6.\u00a0 <\/span>Well, they were very generous, they gave us the 6.\u00a0 <\/span>They were afraid somebody would get drunk I suppose.\u00a0 <\/span>Well, it made some of the boys mad.\u00a0 <\/span>They were planning on getting drunk.\u00a0 <\/span>The only trouble is that in stead using half-way decent beer, they now have to use Aqua Velva<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>In case you didn\u2019t know, that is a product put out by the Williams Co.<\/a><\/span> and was originally supposed to be used as after-shave lotion.\u00a0 <\/span>However, of all the Aqua Velva on the island, I think I would be safe in saying that 95% of it is used internally in stead of externally.\u00a0 <\/span>I can\u2019t see how they drink<\/a><\/span> it.\u00a0 <\/span>I tasted it and that was enough for me.\u00a0 <\/span>That is the extent of my drinking since I left the States.<\/span><\/p>\n

This afternoon there was a Softball and a Football game.\u00a0 <\/span>The games were announced over a loud-speaker system.\u00a0 <\/span>I was with Pop G. in his tent and listened to the games.\u00a0 <\/span>Pop had a jig-saw puzzle and we spent most of the afternoon on it.\u00a0 <\/span>We finally got it together though.\u00a0 <\/span>We had something a little different for chow tonight.\u00a0 <\/span>It was almost a picnic.\u00a0 <\/span>We had hamburgers, donuts, and grapefruit juice drink.\u00a0 <\/span>It was served outside and really hit the spot.\u00a0 <\/span>The donuts were baked last night and you could hardly chew them, but it was a good meal for a change.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019d rather like to have on like that every week.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve only received one letter from you since I last wrote.\u00a0 <\/span>I guess they are on the way.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope so.\u00a0 <\/span>I received a nice Christmas card and note today.\u00a0 <\/span>Guess who it was from?\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s close but not quite.\u00a0 <\/span>It was from Alma Jean, Bill, and Billie Jean.\u00a0 <\/span>Jean wrote it of course.\u00a0 <\/span>Bill was in Rhode Island at the time but she expected him home for Christmas.\u00a0 <\/span>Bill was in the invasion of Europe and now he expects to come out in this direction.\u00a0 <\/span>In her note, Jean just talked about Bill.\u00a0 <\/span>He must be getting along O.K.\u00a0 <\/span>She says he weighs 160 lbs.\u00a0 <\/span>He must be getting enough to eat anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, about half the company is drunk now and are they raising hell!\u00a0 <\/span>I can hardly hear myself think.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talking about Jean & Bill made me think of something.\u00a0 <\/span>Where is Lois & Jim now?\u00a0 <\/span>Is she with him or at home? or is she out of the States also?\u00a0 <\/span>Oh yes, while we are in that neck of the woods, I have a little news about our friend – – – one Al T.\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s in V-12 there and I here hear he thinks it is pretty tough.\u00a0 <\/span>And – – – it is now Uncle Al.\u00a0 <\/span>His brother Bill & Hilda had a \u2013 well they had a baby.\u00a0 <\/span>I can\u2019t remember whether it was a boy or girl.\u00a0 <\/span>Did you know Bill?\u00a0 <\/span>I can\u2019t remember whether he got a furlough or not.\u00a0 <\/span>I know you know of him.\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t have to talk to Mr. or Mrs. T. 5 minutes until you know of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, Sweetheart, Christmas is almost over.\u00a0 <\/span>I know I\u2019ll feel better in the morning than most of these guys will and I think I have enjoyed it as much if not more than they did.\u00a0 <\/span>I have enjoyed it as much as I could without you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>I love you with all my heart.\u00a0 <\/span>This is supposed to be one of the special days of the year but I\u2019m saving the special part for the day I see you.\u00a0 <\/span>That will really be the special day.\u00a0 <\/span>I know I\u2019m not looking forward to it any more than you are, but it seems like it.\u00a0 <\/span>My imagination is good but I can\u2019t see how you could look forward to that reunion any more than I am.\u00a0 <\/span>I love you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>This is our first Christmas \u2013 our first Christmas away from each other.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope it is the last but I\u2019m afraid that there will be one more.\u00a0 <\/span>It won\u2019t be my idea.\u00a0 <\/span>One Christmas \u2013 or one day \u2013 is too much to be away from you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>Of course, we can\u2019t expect to be together all the time, but there are limits to our being separated.\u00a0 <\/span>I want to be with you all the time.\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t care if I never see another person, I just want you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>When I get back to where, to a certain extent, I can do as I want to, there will be just the two of us.\u00a0 <\/span>I hope you won\u2019t get tired of seeing me, because you are going to see a lot of me one of these days.\u00a0 <\/span>I want to hold you in my arms, and look at you, and kiss you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s what I dream about.\u00a0 <\/span>I also try to imagine what it will be like to sit down and eat a meal with you, Sweetheart.\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s rather silly, but I was just trying to decide where it would be best for me to sit at the table.\u00a0 <\/span>I know I\u2019d have to eat; and if you were sitting across from me, I would just sit and look at you.\u00a0 <\/span>Then I thought \u2013 that won\u2019t do, maybe we had better sit side by side.\u00a0 <\/span>But that wouldn\u2019t work either.\u00a0 <\/span>I could touch you then.\u00a0 <\/span>I guess we just won\u2019t eat.\u00a0 <\/span>Those were rather foolish thoughts, weren\u2019t they?<\/span><\/p>\n

Good-night Sweetheart,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I love you with all my heart.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Pleasant Dreams.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2018Nite Sweetheart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Richard<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is the day\u2026.Christmas Day 1944. My first Christmas out of Indiana and our first Christmas \u2013 you in Indiana and me thousands of miles away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,3,20,2625],"tags":[2072,2474,247,1708,2477,2480,86,2472,2481,51,2478,2485,2479,5746,5744,1130,2473,4,2488,2475,2483,37,976,5751,2487,5772,765,2484,2486,68,2482,67,143,2476],"class_list":["post-6694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-film","category-food","category-music","category-richard-alice","tag-alcohol","tag-aqua-velva","tag-beer","tag-boxing","tag-chewing-gum","tag-chocolate-pie","tag-christmas","tag-christmas-carols","tag-christmas-eve","tag-cigarettes","tag-cigars","tag-coconut-palms","tag-coral-reefs","tag-film","tag-food","tag-games","tag-hamburgers","tag-holidays","tag-indiana","tag-jb-williams-co","tag-jean-negulesco","tag-letter-writing","tag-love","tag-music","tag-paradise","tag-richard-alice","tag-santa-claus","tag-sinus","tag-south-seas","tag-swimming","tag-the-conspirators","tag-war","tag-world-war-ii","tag-wrigleys-spearmint-gum"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9oc9-1JY","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6694"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8902,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6694\/revisions\/8902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spitballarmy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}