April 21, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Jan Palson

21 Apr 2026 — 5 min read

...if they want for me to clean my rifle, I shouldn't kick.

Per the previous letter, if you were betting on her having no willpower and going up to see him, you win. Sunday was Patriots' Day so of course Mom would want to go. Sounds like lots of fun. Nice change of pace for Dad too to march in the Patriots' Day Parade with a proper marching band. Also the Marathon - I posted the results page yesterday. Then it's back to the grind. His week starts with drills in the rain- even at night. So then it's cleaning the rifle and rolling packs, lunch, repeat, dinner, repeat. Or should I say chow. He's looking to get a pass to leave the base at the end of the week and going to Hartford to see her so she should plan to stay put this weekend. The rest of the letter is absolutely rated R and this is probably why they have 5 kids.

Patriots' Day in Massachusetts was originally on April 19th but since 1969, it has been observed on the third Monday in April. This includes the marathon and gives everyone a 3-day weekend. Smart! Most Northeastern states celebrate as "Patriots' Day" or "Patriot's Day". It's just a preference. It commemorates the start of the revolutionary war, battles, and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Boston and north-easterners take the Revolutionary War very, very seriously.

Original Letter

Transcript follows:

Boston Globe - April 21, 1942

I love the story of Paul Revere and love that they reenact the ride every year on Patriots' Day; but to be fair to history, there were two other men who made that midnight ride. Paul Revere never even made it to Concord having been captured by the British but that didn't work for the poetry. Honestly, without the French, we never would have won independence and the Revolutionary War. Fast forward to 1942 and in Boston; a committee has formed to fund a Statue of Liberty for France. It's a shame that didn't work out.

Also, did you know we bombed the crap out of Japan over this past weekend? Click this link for: my post from April 18, 1942.

Transcript, April 21, 1942

Btry H. 9th C.A., Fort Banks

Dear Audrey,

Sorry I didn't get a chance to write you yesterday. They rushed us around so if they were afraid they would not be enough daylight to do all the things they wanted to do. And evidently there weren't either because we had to go out for night drill, in the rain too. It makes me mad the way they do things. I'm getting used to it though I guess. After we came back from the parade they had us hurry and clean our rifles so that they wouldn't rust from the rain. So I turned around and got it clean before lunch, and then after lunch we had to go out for more drill in the rain and then the blasted thing got wet again. So we had to tear around to get it cleaned before night “chow”. Then at around … well after supper they get us out again and it was the same old story.

Oh well, as I've said, I really have nothing to do and so if they want for me to clean my rifle I shouldn't kick. Or if they want me to spend time rolling and unrolling my pack. It's a funny way to get us to practice and why do they give us hell for being late when the reason we were late is because they changed their minds about what we should wear. I don't want to squawk too much or you'll be worrying again.

I've got a letter from Tony today and I guess they treat him pretty much the same. According to his letter, he likes it about as well as I do. The parade Monday went off pretty good, but it was kind of wet. It was quite a bit longer than Sunday but I didn't mind it. There were so many people and soldiers around I could have done things wrong all morning and no one would have noticed me. With the band playing it is very easy to march in step. I hope you got home all right Sunday night. I couldn't have worn you out, could I?

Monday morning, I started drinking coffee and it sure is terrible coffee. You make wonderful coffee. That's not the only nice part of you either. You are nice all over and I love you very much. It's a good thing I'm used to being away from you or this place would drive me crazy. Tomorrow I’ll have been in the Army 3 weeks and by Thursday I should know when my pass comes up.

I think you had better plan on staying down there this weekend. Don't let me catch you up here or I'll pull you into the back seat in broad daylight. I think I’ll go over and see the Captain's daughter. She told me to come over and play “spin the bottle” sometime. If I go over, we will probably climb in bed to play it. (can you play spin the bottle in bed) is that all right? I'd like to play it with you in a nice bed some night sweet. Although I’ll settle for the backseat of the car.

Well sweet I love you very much and it was nice seeing you Sunday.

Lots of love and kisses,

Joe

Next letter tomorrow April 22, 1942

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