April 23, 1942 - Dear Audrey

These new recruits are in for a big surprise.

Dad's sisters and ma came to visit with his neighbors probably to get an idea of what it's like since more and more young men are drafted. Like from his own neighborhood. Yes, they are getting serious. I've added liver to my shopping list because that does sound good. So he's going to guilt mom into making fudge, that should do the trick although sugar is getting harder and harder to find. The latest in the Globe about gas rationing is that they don't know about gas rationing. Both Dad and his friend Tony are lucky to have cars even with the rationing. I don't have pictures of their exact cars but here's what they could've looked like.

They were all rooting for the Natick runners to win the Boston Marathon last Sunday. Here's the results and more about the: 1942 Boston Marathon. Not sure if they're still under quarantine from the measles outbreak or what. Once lifted, they still won't get to go anywhere. Rumors of another week before passes are issued are going around. We will wait and see. Meanwhile, there are night drills to go along with day drills. But maybe some baseball will improve moral. Also, more mush!

Boston Globe - April 23, 1942 Evening Edition

How's that for a headline. Nobody knows about gas rationing. At least there are answers to most questions. The "minute-women" are a big success. Selling war bonds is a big deal for the country since that is how we're going to pay for the war. FYI - Franklin Roosevelt's mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, died on September 7, 1941, at the age of 86. She was quite the wealthy woman. And the Battle of Bataan will live on in history. Note that it will take a couple of years but General Douglas MacArthur will avenge that loss in the Philippines.

Transcript - April 23, 1942

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

Dear Audrey,

What do you mean I don't like you to write a lot of mush? I love it. Whatever gave you that idea? There is still nothing definite about the 24-hour passes. They put a new list up but they didn't say anything about the new fellows. Laura brought June and Ma down to see me last night and Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard came along too. They live across the street from us and they tell me that there is going to be another large group from Natick being drafted May 1st. You remember Stanley Blanchard, well he’s going and another fellow who lives at the top of the court is also going. I guess they are getting serious. If Homer is really in A-1, he can’t last very long. These new recruits are in for a big surprise.

I just came from noon chow and it was pretty good for a change. Liver and bacon. It wasn't the way you would cook it for me but it was all right. At least Vicky tries to send her spouse fudge. What’s the matter with me? Don't I rate getting some fudge from you. The last you brought me was good. Maybe you really can't make fudge like you tell me you can. I hope Vicki and Tony get things straightened out satisfactorily in regards to the DeSoto. Don’t worry too much about my going to the dance with some stray and having a good time. If I did, I couldn't do any wrong because they don't let anyone out of sight.

Tonight we have night drill and I don't look forward to it at all. They're going to start baseball and softball pretty soon and I'll have to get mixed in some place. I'm out of condition but so is everyone else. It will help take up the spare time later on, that is if there is any. They furnish us all the equipment. So far my pool playing has improved quite a bit. It’s too bad Tony isn't here because I always enjoyed playing with him.

By the way, that fellow from Natick didn't win the marathon last Sunday. He led in record time for the first 20 miles but he ran his heart out and didn't have enough reserve left to win. He came in seventh but was disqualified because some cops picked him up when he fell down. For the last 6 miles he didn't remember anything and he must have fell down 10 times and it must have taken a lot of courage and spirit to even finish. You have to believe in something to run yourself into the ground like that. I don't think I could have done half as good. The fellow that did win comes from Medford and he broke the record so my friend set a good pace and it's too bad he couldn't have won. Well, so much for that.

From what the newspapers say they are going to ration gas May 1st. If they only give you 5 gallons a week it won't be enough to come up here and back again. At 5 gallons a week it would take you a month to get enough to make a round trip up here and back. And that would be very bad. 5 gallons is not very much.

If such a thing should happen, be sure and have the car filled up before that ruling goes into effect. Maybe if you tell them your husband is in the service and you need more so that you can go up and see him, they will be more lenient with you.

It’s taken me all day to write this letter and now there is a new rumor going around. That is since noon time. To-night they will tell us we have to go another week of training before any time off. I know nothing is going to happen before next Monday for sure now. Our quarantine is up after Friday, but we still can't go anyplace. I hope they aren't right about our having to do another week before they even consider giving us a 24-hour pass. Last night the folks wanted to know if I was coming to Natick sometime. And I told them that on my first leave I was going to Hartford to see my girl. I didn’t tell them that you were the sweetest girl there is any place. And

I love you very much. More and more each day. Even if I do have to look at your picture every night to see what you look like.

Lots of love

Leonard

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (is that enough)

Next letter tomorrow April 24, 1942

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