July 25, 1943: Speak to Madge

Darling Madge:

Honey I'm sure sorry I haven't been able to write the last two days.  Yesterday on my day off, we had to go out to the firing range, then come in and do detail.  We went to school last night, it is sure nice in school at night, but it's sure hot as hell trying to sleep in the daytime.

I guess I won't be able to write very much from now on unless I do it at night in school.  we only have 7 more days of school before we go out to the field test.  and boy are they trying to break us, and make it tough for us.  They told us we didn't no what the army was like, but we would find out the next two weeks.

Honey, I believe we will be able to write, while we are out there, so I'll try to let you know what it's like.  I do know that we go on maneuvers and a 20 mile hike on our day off.  And that we work on planes, under actual battle conditions.

Princess, I tried to call you the last two days but I couldn't get a line thru, I'll try again when I get thru this letter.  I'm sure glad you are nearly as well as ever, but don't try to do too much for a long long time yet.

Gee darling, I'd give anything to be able to see Joyce Ann.  She sure must be an angel and I know I'll hate to leave you both, when I come home on furlough.  She must be the most perfect baby in the world, I'll sure be glad to get that snapshot of you two angels.

Honey, I fixed up that papers for the exta allotment but I gotta get a copy of Joyce Ann's birth certificate. so as soon as you can, why send it to me, will ya?

They sent the papers in, so you shoudl get it in your next check, but if you don't they will probably make it up in the next one.  I sure hope youare able to get along alright on it.  Gee toots, I'll work all the time when I get out of theis army, and try to make a lot of dough, so you can make up for the fun you've missed.

I got that card Mom sent, it was sure swell, tell her thanks a lot.  I guess I won't be able to write them, cause it's all I can do to find time to write to you.

I'm sure glad we got such a lovely daughter, she must be just like you.  It's sure good news to hear she is growing, and that you are able to feed her, I think that's a lot better than on a bottle.  You will soon be able to take her down town and show her off won't you?  That is sure swell of Murray and Bernice to let us use all their stuff.  I would have cost us a fortune to have  bought it.

So Geo Bills didn't know we had our family, I guess I'll write him if I ever get time.

Hey I'm glad Uncle Lee was able to get home, I'll bet they really had a swell time.  It's swell that Jessie is able to go back with him, although I don't think they are doing the smart thing.  She would get lots better care at home.

I'll bet the folks are really thrilled to get started on their home, I know we will when we build our dream home, won't we?  Honey I know you hate to leave our place, but it will be better for you and the baby, and also for Mom.  and Murray and Bernice will take good care of our place.  Princess this war can't last forever, I'll soon be home again, then we will have more happiness than ever before.  So keep your chin up, and try to always think of the bright side.  You have sure been swell thru this, you are a better soldier than any in this army.  I'll never forget it either.

See I love you so darn much, that if I soon don't get to see you I'll bust.  Just think toots, it will be nearly a year since I left (well it seems like it).  I guess I better sign off for now, and go see if I can get a call thru.

Remember darling how much I love you both, and how much I miss you.

Good night my angels, God Bless you both.

All my love,

Your devoted husband and Dad.

Pfc. Speak

May 2, 1943: Speak to Madge

Hi Darling:

     Gee toots I'm glad you got a letter when you did, I'll die if you ever got a divorce.  I had a pretty rough weekend, that is the reason I haven't wrote since Thur. night.

     I got my pay only $12.00 bucks, but now I'm all even with them, so from now on I'll get my full $19.85.  We all went to town Fri. and got portdy stinks, there were 7 of us got a room together and stayed till Sat. Conkel and I lasted long than the rest, we got back at 9 pm but we had to shave, clean up the barracks and stuff.  We sure had a lot of fun we had some more of those little pictures taken, how do you like them?  That kid with Conkel and I, is Norman Hansen, he's from Utah, Syracuse I believe.  It's 10 miles out of Ogden.  Boy he's the best kid in this camp.  I've just started going with him, about the last 2 weeks.

     I've never drank so much beer, or shot so much pool in my life.  We were down to the U.S.O.  We also burrowed a camera from the U.S.O. and took some pictures, I'll send them later.

     We bowled about 4 games in the afternoon, then went to a show and slept.

     Darling by this time you should have received 4 or 5 letters I wrote last week.  So am I safe from that divorce for a while?  Of Madge, I miss you.  I beginning to get so damn lonesome and homesick for you, I hope I can stand it till I get a furlough.  If not, I'll be tempted to go over the hill.

     Honey, how come you work so much in the lot?  I though I told you to take it easy, do you want me to come home and kick your bum?  I'd sure have liked to been with you when you took the trip up the canyon, I sure miss those days.  I'll bet it was fun.  time for school.

Monday, May 3rd.

     Hello again, here it is another blue Monday.  Honey, I'm having 6 photos made, I don't know the size.  Hey toots I made another 85 average for the 3rd phase.  If I can make three more I'll have a chance to go to a specialist school, after I finish here.

     Madge don't worry about me liking it too much here, I'd crawl to you on my knees if there would let me.

     The girls, Lela, Wanda, Bernice, Bessie and your mother have all told me what nice things you have made for the baby.  I"m sure dying to see them.

     Princess I"ll always think your the best soldier in the whole world.  So don't let me catch you thinking different.  I know Jr. will think the same too.  the cute little cuss.  Does he still keep you awake at nights?

     I don't know if I'm going to like this shift or not, it's too damn hot to sleep in our barracks.  It's nearly 3 pm so I think I'll try it again.

     Darling I sure wish I had a lot of money to buy you something nice for Mothers Day, but I'm sending you both tons and tons of love.  Maybe next year it will be different. (I hope)

     Please believe me Sweetheart when I say I'll always love no matter where I go, or how long we are apart.

     Honey, I just got your letter telling me about Ed and Lela.  Gee isn't that well.  I'll bet I"m as thrilled as they are.  I got some cards over at the PX.  I'll send them today.  But you tell them how happy I am for them.  I'll write them real soon.

     As for our child, I still don't care if it's a boy or girl.  I'll love it.  But I'll always love you the most. (I bet a buck it would be a boy, I kinda hope I lose it)

     I sure hope the army don't get Ed or Murray, they really got enough of us.  We waste a lot of gout, money and equipment here, and I guess it's the same all over.  So I don't see what they need more men for.

     Well my darling, I better sign off and get some sleep.  So until tomorrow I'll be thinking of you every minute.  I remain your homesick husband and little boy.

     All my love,

     Speak

Madge, I'll call you between 8 pm and 10 pm Fri.  If I can't get a line I'll try again Sat. So remember either the 7 or 8th.

     Bye Darling.