Post #541 - January 1, 1945 They Are Terribly Strict Now, As One Fellow Slit His Throat Last Week

Jan 1, 1945

Darling Sweetheart,

Here it is the first day of 1945 and it's hard to believe that you will be away much longer than we supposed. I didn't get the opportunity to write yesterday, as I went to see Eddie. He certainly does look fine and looks much heavier to me than I ever remember seeing him. He told me many things I hadn't learned from the folks, all of which were most interesting. He definitely does not advise a furlough for you, since he fears that you will lose your present good position and says it is wisest for you to stick it out. As much as I am dying to see you, under the circumstances I feel it would be best not to accept anything but the way we wish it to be. I'm sure you'll be the best judge of that when and if the occasion arrives for such a choice. There are moments when I feel I shall simply put myself and Adele on a plane and fly to you - if only we could! I want so for you to see her now, for she is such a sweet, adorable young lady that I know you'd simply eat her up. At the present moment she is engaged with the following: pencil and paper and is writing a letter to daddy dear. I hope I'll remember to send some of her scribblings along for you to see for yourself when I next send an airmail letter.

I spent New Year's Eve in the following manner: Sylvia, Mom and I played knock rummy till two this morning. I had such a terrible case of the blues that I almost felt myself becoming desperate for want of the sight of you. I guess you're wondering how I got out to see Eddie. Well, Ruth and Ed's girl Ruth went early in the morning and killed a few hours in Phoenixville before they could see him. Brother Jack and I caught the 1:37 train and got up to Ed's room about 2:35. Ed is in the suicide ward and all doors are locked. Jack and I had to knock and knock before we got in and when the ward boy finally opened the door, I said, "Look, buddy, I waited 15 months to see my brother and if you don't mind, l’d like to see him". They creep around that hospital until it gets on your nerves. I swear you could go nuts in such a place! The four of us left the hospital at 4:30 promptly (they are terribly strict now, as one fellow slit his throat last week) and Ed watched us, rather wistfully, leave. We made good time getting back. It rained, but I mean rained, both yesterday and today and the only good It did was to wash the snow away. When I got back I learned that Sonya, Jack N’s aunt was here in Philly and had called. I called, but she had gone out, so I called today. She gave me Jack's phone number and I just finished calling him long distance. He says he feels fine, but they do not know the results of the operation as yet. He expects to be at the hospital for about nine more days and expects to be in New York until the end of January. I'm definitely going to N.Y. the weekend of Jan. 13th and haven't decided as yet whether I’ll stay two or three days, but most likely It will be three. By that time Jack expects to be out of the hospital and will be at Sonya's. Sonya extended an invitation for me to stay with her while in N.Y, if I care to. Jack has to report back to the hospital in Oklahoma for a final examination and after that he'll either go back to duty, or possibly, be discharged. He was so glad to hear from me! He promised to drop me a line and I’ll send his letter along when it arrives. Guess I’ll have to start the new year off with an old phrase - that of "I adore you, my beloved".

Your Eve

Post #540 - December 30, 31, 1944 I’m Going Out to Phoenixville Tomorrow to Visit Eddie and A Letter from Harry Weinman

 

Dec. 30, 1944

Dearest Sweetheart,

There was no mail from you today, though I had expected to hit a belated jackpot. There was but one letter from Gloria. She mentioned having written to you, that she just received another letter and now she owes you another.

Dot called and informed me that Snuff is in the hospital with a bum leg, which was quite a surprise to me. She said he had been complaining that his leg bothered him while he was still at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and It evidently proved too much for him. She isn't able to say just what is wrong with his leg, but said that he has something on the order of varicose veins. Have you replied to Snuff's letter? I expect to visit Dot next week if she cannot come out. I'd like to shop while I'm out there also.

I sort of caught up on my correspondence today, by writing to Jack S., Milt Brown, Gloria, Lee and Len and now, you, my dearest. Not bad, I think. I owe Maxie Brown a letter, as he sent us a most attractive Xmas card. I haven't yet decided what to give Miriam as a gift, but will try to get my cousin to order two expensive dresses for the kid for me, if she can get them.

I don't know if I told you that my gift to Ruth was a compact - a huge amber plastic one, which she selected herself. I still [owe] each of the Moms handbags, but haven't been able to find some I like at a decent price now. The net is a 20% tax on handbags and there really aren't any decent bags under $7.50, so with tax and all there is quite a large expenditure. I asked Mr. Bellet if he knew anyone who manufactures bags and he sent me to a place right up the street. They are not open on Saturdays, so I'll go there on Tuesday, when I go back to work and perhaps I'll be able to make a selection there.

Adele's vocabulary continues to increases by leaps and bounds. She repeats many nursery rhymes, with such new additions as "Little Boy Blue", *See-Saw, knock at the door, who's there, etc." When I come home from work the first thing she says to me now is, "Helwo Mommy" followed by a "tiss". I particularly love the way she says okay - "o-tay", in fact I like it so much I’ve started using it myself. It's her particular way of saying it that makes it almost sound delicious. She pronounces certainly • "sertanee" and delicious is “ylshus". She calls our next door neighbor, whose name is Mrs, Ochroch. “Missy Otot" and "Mrs. Otot" has suddenly acquired a new name. Even I call her that now. When Adele says something and I ask her to repeat, she answers *No, mommy, just said that", and she won't repeat. I told Adele to tell everyone, or rather wish everyone a "Happy New Year" and that goes for you just as well.

I’m going out to Phoenixville tomorrow to visit Eddie and will spend the evening with Sylvia if I get back early enough. I finished the front and back of Diana's sweater and put the buttonholes on. Only have to make the sleeves and sew the buttons on Room, darling to say once more in the old year that I love you dearly and I want you more than ever.

Your Eve

P.F.C. H. Weinman 33,072,683
18th Chim. Mait. Co.

A-P-O- 667

U.S. ARMY

DEC.-31-1944

France

Dear Phil:

Hya doin. I guess it’s about time you heard from me. As yet I haven’t received any mail since Nov. 6 when I left the Rehabilitation center. As you note by the address I am now in an outfit somewhere’s in France. I spent about a month in replacement centers in France before I hit this place. Everything is O.K. here. We have good food & the best of quarters. We are in the center of the town & living in a Chateau (French Home). I am doing guard duty with two other men & we live a few blocks away in a comfortable room with a stove. The men & officers here are O.K. How are things with you. Did you get back to camp O.K. Too bad I couldn’t spend a few days down your place. The weather down here is about zero rite now. Have you been hearing from home often. I sure would like to know what’s going on. That’s about all the dope rite now. Take it easy.

Your Cousin - Harry

P.S. Send some 127 film if you can get it.

Post #539 - December 29, 1944 Goldie’s Stepmother (Rose Falk) was Her Father’s First Cousin Before Marriage and A Letter from Milton Brown

 

Dec. 29, 1944

Dearest Phil,

I am starting this at work, as I had the form in my purse. Goldie called to inform me that there is some mall from you at home and I'm so anxious to see it that I can hardly contain myself. In fact I'm so anxious to know the contents thereof that I've decided to continue on this when I get home.

Upon arriving home, I found your letters of Dec. 6, 7 and 9. For the most part they leave me little to comment on. At any rate here goes! I'm glad you finally received my mother's letter and she received yours today, so it did get here in better time. You spoke about your conversation with Sgt. Falk. When I mentioned his name to Goldie she said that her stepmother's maiden name had been Falk and wouldn't it be funny if they were related. Goldie’s stepmother, incidentally, was her father's first cousin before marriage. Perhaps I'll write the mysterious Strongins, and wealthy ones, too, a letter when I'm in the mood. Don't worry, honey, I'll send a full length picture of Adele along most any week now. I thought I’d wait till after the first of the year, since most of the photographers seem to be rushed. I shall have the photographer come to the house, as I told you in an earlier letter. Your letter of the 7th was lovely, but it made me very downhearted, for some unknown reason. Phil, I am so proud of you! A girl could not ask for more than I have in my choice of a mate - you are so true, devoted and thoughtful that I warm all over just thinking about it. Just as you say the feeling of love has kept you from going astray, so has it been for me. I never do anything before thinking what your conception of that particular thing would be. No, dear, we've not suffered any genuine harm due to our separation and I'm sure we'll more than make up for it once we are together. As I gaze at the date at the head of this letter, it strikes me that today marks the 25th month of Adele's being and almost 17 months since you actually saw her.

Your letter of the 9th told me that you had received Mom's package, the Chase’s and Wymen’s package, and the packages sent by the Label Bureau. I hope, sweet, that you will find time to write to each and every donor, and especially to the Label Bureau as I believe they are awaiting a letter from you. I spoke to Clara last night and she told me that each employee received a bonus of $25 and that a bonus of $15 was sent to each serviceman. She also told me that Molly Reisner bought a house in this neighborhood.

I also had a nice letter from Milt and the effects of war seem to be working on his nerves a bit. Sylvia told me that she had a picture from him and that he looks just half of what he used to be. In a word, she said, he looks terrible. Sylvia asked me to spend N.Y.'s eve with her, as she doesn't want to get into a crowd, but would prefer to spend the evening quietly. Ditto for me, so undoubtedly I'll break the ice and go to the movies. I haven't been to the movies in way over two months, so I think it's time I did take one in. I intend to visit Eddie Sunday afternoon, so my weekend will be rather full. Good night, my darling, I love you dearly. I want so to take you in my arms and tell you that I am

Your Eve

Dec. 29, 1944

Dear Phil:

This makes the third letter I have written you since I received your letter, and I’m trying my best to write to you as often as I can now. I’m feeling fine & hope this letter finds you the same. I just finished writing a letter to Evelyn. I guess you heard about Richard Lieberman & Phil coming in for a furlough. We moved again, and at the present time we are in our new area, but still on the same Island. In one way I sure hated to leave that place, & the natives sure did hate to see us go also. Some of them were even crying as we headed to the boats. It was kinda hot there for a while, as the Japs came in one morning before daylight. They came in through the village, knowing that we would not fire much for fear of killing the natives. It sure was a sight to see what those yellow Japs done to those poor innocent people. They bayonetted, shot women, men & even small children, who did not even have a choice. I’ve read a lot of stories on how cruel & mean they were, but what I saw that morning was even worse than those stories I read. It took a little while before we could get the natives back to our area for safety & then we really opened up on them, and got quite a few of them. We captured a machine gun, mortar, & rifles. We then went through the village, & cleaned it out. It sure made me mad to see what happened that morning, and every yellow Jap I see will be a dead one if its up to me. They look much better that way to me. Our new place is fairly well, & there is also a native village close by here, with more of them here than where we came from. These natives here though are not as good and clean as the other ones were, and we don’t fool around with them too much. We take our laundry down to the village, though, and the women there wash them for us very cheap. That’s one good thing about living close to the village, as you don’t have to wash your own clothes, which sure does suit me fine. We also will be getting our mail here by plane, but our outgoing mail will still be held up till the supply boat comes in and picks it up for us. We practically do the same kind of work here also, stand guard at night, & patrols during the day time. We all take our turns though. We had turkey for Xmas, and it sure was good. How did they treat you boys over there? The news the folks sent me in their latest letter sure did bring me a lot of happiness, as they tell me that Sydney may be getting a 30 day furlough to the States. He sure does deserve one. I sure would love to be there myself, & I’d give anything in the world to see him again, for it sure was a long time since I saw him last. I’m hoping & praying that it won’t be too long before we all will be seeing each other. I bought my girl a nice watch for Christmas with two rubies on each side. The folks got one for me. They say it sells for about $100.00, but they got it for me for $50.00. Well, Phil I’ll close for now as I am out of news. Take good care of yourself. Write you again soon.

Your loving cousin,

Milt