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

July 8, 1943: Madge to Speak

Carters Park

Dear Daddy:

How do you feel today?  better I hope.

You sure have a naughty daughter she cried all night last night with Mom and Bessie both doing all they knew.  so at 3:30 I said, Mom call the Dr. and see what to do.  So she did and I said to Bess, Give her time, she just laid her in my arms and she went sound asleep.

He told Mom to give her an ounce and a half of canned milk. then she slept until 6 this morning.  she was so wide awake and cute.

Loris came up today and wanted to see the baby food, and by heck we couldn't wake her up.  She's sure a sleepy head (hope she does tonight!).

Ed and Lela came up today, they were sure thrilled with her and my their baby is sure growing.  they brought the cutest toys and Geo B sent a dozen red roses today.

Did I ever tell you how much ahir she has?  Just tons and so far it's kinda brown with a reddish tinge.

Gosh hon, I'll be glad to get out of bed.  'Cause I miss you so darn much more when I don't have anything to do.

Hey lover, I'd better close for now, so the mail man can take it.

so my Sweet, until tomorrow.  I'll always be-

You New Mommy and Sweetheart,

Madge and baby-

P.S. I won't start calling her Joyce Ann until you get here - so we will both be sure, o.k.?  Excuse the writing, I'm in a rush, he's waiting.

July 5, 1943: Speak to Madge

Darling Madge and Baby:

How's my darlings today, gee I hope you are starting to feel better by now.  Honey I hope you had the baby easy, and did not have to suffer too long.

I can't stand to think of you, being sick or in pain.  I sure hope that is the only kind of sickness you ever have.  Princess I love you did you know it?  I always will too.  Have you had a chance to kiss my daughter for me?  Thanks a million, I can hardly wait to be there, and do it myself (and mostly you).

Honey I'm dying to get more news about it all, but don't you write until you feel well enough.  But maybe you could get Mom or Jessie to huh?

Gee princess I've about wore that telegram out, reading it so much.  I got three letters from you today, was I ever glad to get them too.

that one you wrote on the 3rd was the most wonderful letter I ever received, especially how you ended it, just before going thru it all.  I'll always love you and worship you, for being such a wonderful wife and sweethear.

Honey, Geo B called me last night, and he was sure glad to hear that good news.  He is coming up there about the 12th, so I too would think Follis silly, if she goes back for just a few days.  It's the first time he has ever called me, and I was sure glad to hear from him.

Hey if you can, will you send me the clipping out of the Herald telling about the birth of our Darling baby?  Gee we'll save it and put it in our scrap book.

I'm glad Ed got the cherries, and was able to get them put up, that was nice of Freda to do it for them.

Well Mommy I'm out of phase now, and tomorrow we start on engine change, so I'll only have about 3 more phases to go thru to be exact I have 32 more days of this school, and then?

Boy they are sure getting tough around here now, we have to fall out in different formations 8 times a day, and there's no chance of screwing off any more, or it means out stripe if were caught.  and I don't want to lose mine, cause I'd sure like to be a corperol when I come home.  I will be too, if they keep giving us that rating when we graduate, cause I'm gonna stay on the beam from now on.  but it will just be my luck to have them stop, about the time I finish here.  But I'm hopin'.

Honey do you nurse the baby?  what color hair has it got, what color eyes?  does it look like you?  How much did it weigh?  Does she seem to be as healthy as can be expected? 

Darling, I don't know why I'm asking all these questions, I'll probably know all about it before you even get this.  Then watch our cause I'll sure pour the letters that way, and I hope you don't get tired of them.

Darling, I sure hope you got the candy and gum I sent, in time to have it out there with you, and I hope the telegram and flowers got there this morning.  I tried to send them last night, but every place was closed for the fourth.  Hey I sure spoled your fourth didn't I?  Please forgive me, we'll have to time the next one a little different huh?

Well sweethearts I better close for now, and get my lessons.  Remember to give my love to the baby and I'll always keep on loving you more each day.  Hope you are recovering ok, Bye for now my princesses.

All my love,

Daddy Speak

January 17, 1943: Madge to Speak

My Dearest:

     We (Jessie and I) went up to see you Saturday, but you had been shipped for parts unknown, anyway that's what everyone told us.  We left here about 3:30.  so if by some chance you were still ther we wouldn't miss a minute with you.  I thought maybe you couldn't phone until after 5.  So we just decided to take off. I was awful disappointed, altho, I tried not to plan on seeing you for sure.  But I guess you were too, weren't you?

     I had already told the folks that I was going to stay with Jessie, So we stayed all night at Alf & Helens.  Alf worked until 1:30, so Jess, Helen and Leah B sat around and talked all night - Helen went to the liqour store.  She had to stand in line for a half hour.  Boy if I had to do that there'd be no whiskey drank.  I only had one short one.  So you see, I'm being a good gal.

     Honey, Do you remember putting some wood in the oven to dry the morning you left?  Well, Tues night when I got home and got my tears shut off a minute Mom asked me if I could smell wood burning, she had looked all over for it.  I started to giggle and told her to look in the oven.  Oh lordy, talk about smoke whew.  Daddy grabbed it and threw it out in the yard, did it blaze - if I hadn't of felt so bad it would have been funny.

     Murray quit his job out there Monday.  They came up home Tues night to tell us he was going to Tooelea to work.  He was up there one day and came home.  I don't think he has taken another job yet.

     When I got home thurs nite, someone turned on the light and said booh.  It was Bessie, Dick and Gary.  She brought down 6 of Gary's baby dresses.  They are just like new so that solves that.

     Honey, How is your cold?  Better I hope.  If not be sure and take good care of it and of you.  Cause you're all the papa us two has got or will have.

     Gosh Hone, I'd sure like to see you in your uniform.  I'll bet you really make a good looking soldier.  As long as you're there, I hope you'll like it a little bit and I do hope you are in some thing you like.  By the time I mail this I'll probably know.

     I am going to stay with Aunt Jessie tonight.  Eleanor has gone to the city again.  I am going to work at 8:30 and nothing to do.

     I is sure swell with the folks there.  The other night Jessie and Grace came up when I went to go Dad said, "Now hurry home" and Mom said, "You don't have to stay as long as you want."  There's only one thing wrong.  She won't wake me up in the mornings. (am I kicking, no) - Daddy has a 'hellava' cold, he has been off work for 2 days.  Mother and I went to the show today, it was "the Black Swan" it was a pirate picture you'd sure like it.

     Gosh sweetheart, you'll never know how thrilled I was when you called that morning, I shook for an hour. - Honey, I miss you so dam much and I'll probably miss you more - but all in all we'll make out, won't we?

     I have an appointment with the Dr. on the 20th.  I suppose I still feel well and still can hardly believe it's true.

     Loris says that she is going to marry that guy we met down there that night.  Of all the changable people, she's the worst.

     Bessie brought that picture down so as soon as I find out where "parts unknown" is I'll sent the ring and this to you.  Do you still want your lighter?  How is your underwear and things holding out?  And Honey, if you need any money, please write and tell me.

     Alf got his deferrement, it is only good until June 28th, this morning his sister, Leah said, "Everyone is in the Army, but Alf."  Gosh, he went red, I almost felt sorry for him.

     Honey, did you say a prayer for me that night?  I'm sure you must have, nothing could have made me stop crying and feel so at peace as I did.  After working and having to keep a straight face all day, I got practically histerical and all of a sudden between 9:30 or 10 o'clock, I just stopped and didn't cry anymore.  Went right to sleep and I told Mom that you had prayed for me.  Hope you did.

     Well Honey, I'll sign off for today, I'll probably have to ship this first letter express if I don't stop and go to bed.

     Goodnight Sweet and dream of me - Toots.