August 21, 1943: Speak to Madge

Darling Madge:

Gee Honey I'm sorry I haven't wrote more, but they have kept us busy about 15 hours a day.  I am on K.P. tomorrow, so I just had to write tonight and let you know I'm ok.  I have been out on the pistol range for 3 days, and on the rifle range 2 days.

After we got thru they put us on detail making targets.  So I've really been busy, I have moved over to a new squadron, and I expect to move down to post casual squadron any day now.  That is where we go, just before we ship out.

We got plenty of detail now that were thru school.  HOney I haven't the least idea where I'll be sent.  But I believe they do let us know where were going before we ship so if I do I'll try to call you.

I am going to see the Caption again and find out for sure.  What my chances are for a furlough.

Norman Hansen went home today, but he only got a three day pass.  And I sure don't want one of those it take all my time traveling.  He's going to tak about ten days tho, the screwy cuss.

I wish I were there with you tonight, gee I love you.  Honey, hows my two sweethearts getting along?  Gee I've nearly gone nuts lately, not being able to write, or get a furlough.  Madge I've really gone thru hell since I left you.  But after what you've been thru I guess I shouldn't complain.  But my Princess I do want to see you and Joyce Ann, so bad that I don't know what to do.

Honey I love you more each day, and I hope to return to you and my angel Joyce Ann soon.  Gee it's hell to have a swell daughter, and not be able to see her.  and Madge just keep on tell me you're pet peeves, cause I am the one to tell them to.  Oh and honey thanks for the four leaf clover, I hope it brings us together again soon.

Who did you go to Salt Lake with?  How long did you stay?  I sure hope you had a good time.  Well my sweet I better but this one short.  But I'll write a long one Monday.

Hey Is ure did a big laudry tonight, I getting in shape to do the diaper when I get there on that furlough.

Gee we never know what barracks were, going to sleep in we have loved, about 10 times in the last week I guess were just outcasts now.

Sweet I sure hope everything is going alright with the house and you and Joyce Ann.

I'm glad that doctor said everything was ok.  Write and tell me more about your examination.

Sweet I better close its nearly 10 PM and we go on K.P. at 4:30, so I better go to bed and dream of our happiness to come, after this mess is over.

Bye Darlings, I love you both, more than words can ever tell.

Bye for now.

Forever Yours,

Pop and 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.