July 29, 1942 - Dear Honey

Jan Palson

29 Jul 2026 — 3 min read

Fort Ruckman - Nahant, Massachusetts (Credit: Capt. Gerald Butler)

I made a new resolution to stay out of trouble.

Sounds like they had a nice time together as she came up this time. So not only seeing Dad but visiting the family I'm sure. She has such a long drive from Dad back to East Hartford. And with blackouts, no lights allowed. It's got to be nerve wracking. Math classes continue but there's so much stuff to cover in such a short time with so many distractions. At least the stitches are out - yay. It took me a while to figure out who performed for the soldiers. It was Ranny Weeks. Not only a bandleader but is appointed as co-chair of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety's radio division in 1942, which supervises all programming on every radio station in the state. Check out the night spots fun. Check out the dinner prices. Oh, and beware of the gas pill.

The following is from the Boston Evening Globe, July 1942:

Read more about it and support this work: Newspapers.com

Original Letter

Transcript follows.

Transcript - July 29, 1942

Bat H - 9^th C.A., Fort Ruckman

Dear Audrey:

At least I’m glad you are back safe even if you didn’t get back very early. You must have been terribly tired. I hope you rest up. I also hope the officer didn’t’ turn you in for not having your parking lights on. It is very hard driving in these dim-outs. They keep us very busy. This is Wed. afternoon and the other batteries are out playing ball and Btry H is working (I’m not out there because I’m going on guard in an hour so I have a few spare moments). I put in a tough day yesterday and when I got a little time to myself last night I didn’t’ feel like studying. We have a lot of good plain hard work it’s not because of anything personal that I didn’t want to say anything about this math course, but because I don’t think anything will come of it. There is too much ground to cover in too short a time. And the are progressing too slow. It won’t do me any harm and so I’m trying.

Then for various reasons we miss one class in three. Because of guard duty or some other detail. The conditions are against us. So if it gets around that I am studying for this and then I don’t make anything which will be the likely result, well I’ll be out even more. They took the stitches out of my head today. It feels good. The spot where he shaved looks funny and I only need a little war paint to complete the picture. I made a new resolution to stay out of trouble. From now on I shall be strong and robust all the time. Sound as a dollar. I went thru the party Monday all right. They had Ranny Weeks and a show from the Mayfair over for us and it was pretty good. Not enough beer I thought. Well honey I’ll have to run. Maybe I’ll take a train Fri. night. Gets me there at mid-night that is if I wait for the class. See you soon.

All my love

Leonard