April 14, 1942 - Dear Audrey
What a life.
It's the great long underwear debate. The weather is thankfully warming up but is it warm enough?? So along with inspection time and more vaccines, there's a lot of running around and drilling. And if you don't fall in quick enough, there will be laps. He's got the movie theater and the P.X. in the evenings but since neither appeal to him, he can write letters about his days. Their car is a concern but they're really lucky to have it. Rationing for gas and rubber makes life extremely challenging. I hope she was able to get a 5 gallon gas can.
Boston Globe - April 14, 1942
Happy Pan American Day! In the United States, Pan American Day is observed by Presidential proclamation on April 14. In addition, the entire week on which the holiday falls is observed as Pan American Week. Can't believe it's not on the front page in 1942:
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Per the paper, President Roosevelt is consulting with economists and advisors on an anti-inflation plan. A real one. There is no communication from Bataan or Corregidor per the U.S. War Dept. as Japan continues to batter the region. Bataan is a misery. War is just a tragedy. Recall that during this time, India is demanding their independence and freedom from Great Britain so that complicates everything. It hits home too.
NOTE: The "Food for Victory" series taking on Malnutrition - One Foe Homemakers Can Fight starts tomorrow April 15th and I will include it in the post. Just straight up facts to educate us ladies: the "homemakers".
Let's Explore Your Mind
This is from the Globe on April 14, 1942 in the Women's section on page 18. So... answers to what babies hear or understand, are women better than men (yes), and who falls for the smell? Note that I have never made deviled hamburgers before. If you have, please explain what they are and how you make them.
Transcript -April 14, 1942
Btry H – 9th C.A., Fort Banks
Dear Audrey,
Just a short note before “chow” because I won't have any more time today. They have not been giving us much rest lately. Rushing us here and there. We've got gun drill tonight and some inspection tomorrow. It must be a general coming because they had us drilling all morning and my arms are tired from holding the rifle up straight. Then they are going to inspect our equipment and we don't know how to show or roll it up into a pack. Oh well, they will figure some way of showing us even if they keep us out all night. I suppose it's good to have something to do. It should take my mind off you.
We went up to the hospital this morning for another injection. This wasn't for typhoid and I don't think will affect me. Even so, I should be getting used to it by now. If we didn't do anything during the day, I wouldn't have anything to write because I don't do anything at night. About all there is the theater and P.X. and as neither appeals to me, I go to bed. And that's no lie. I went to bed at 9 all winter and I guess I'm going to do it all summer. What a life.
It is a nice day out today and so I think I'll take off my long underwear. Do you think I should? I won't if you tell me not to. Did Vicki get my letter? Well I just came back from chow I still don't know whether you got to Hartford all right or not. That car is not too good on gasoline and so don't attempt to go any distance unless you figure you can make it and have gas left over. Maybe you can get a 5-gallon can somewhere and put it in the trunk. Just in case. It’s a good idea.
Well if I want to mail this this afternoon I'll have to stop. They'll be blowing us out to fall in any minute now. They made us run the block this morning for not falling in quick enough. Lots of love and think of me occasionally.
Love, Leonard
Next letter tomorrow, April 15, 1942
Comments Welcome :)
