May 13, 1942 - Dear Butch
Every man should get married.
Make no mistake, he doesn't like the Army - he's just getting used to it. It's a hard life at best. Weather is getting warmer which makes working the big guns harder and harder. At least a good game of baseball can take your mind off things for a while. That is while you figure out a new assignment for yourself. No sense in "crabbing". Even if you're good at it. LOL. I think he confirms they dated for 15-16 months before getting hitched. Of course he's an expert.
Original Letter
Transcript follows.
The Boston Globe
OK ladies (or should I say "girls) - are you ready?? You're now welcome to join the military and take over all menial tasks! The Women's Army Auxiliary Corp - WAACs is set to be signed into law by President Roosevelt. This is a big deal although the article actually says they want uniformed "cuties" to do the more office related duties. The current congress voted for discrimination so baby steps. For Dad, the $50 per month is confirmed. Imagine a raise of over 50%. Gas rationing is on track and the government will even buy your new or used tires.
The Boston Globe - Page 9 - WAACs
Here's more on the WAACs. Mrs. Roosevelt is sure ahead of her time speaking to racial attitudes. And she can still ride a bike. Women in the military - a new frontier. In the Senate, they declared the gender bars are down. New ranks for women. Non-commissioned ladies will be junior, leader, and first leaders with pay ranging from $648 - $864 per year. Commissioned women will be first, second, and third officers with pay range of $1500 - 3,000 per year. Auxiliaries are the same as privates and will get the $50 per month. Not bad but I bet they'll have uncomfortable shoes.
Meanwhile in Hartford...
The On to Victory Parade was a big hit. The weather drama was amazing. The whole day could have been a catastrophe - but incredibly, the rain stopped. Very well attended considering it almost didn't happen. Meanwhile, an enemy sub made it's way up the St Lawrence river and sunk a freighter. Holy Smokes!!
The Hartford Courant - On to Victory Parade Pics
The United Russian Organization enters a float in the parade. See, we used to be friends. The Russian bear cartoon in the Globe has to be a coincidence. The Women's Motor Corps are civilian so separate from the WAACs.
Hartford's On to Victory Parade - Boy Scouts
Even the boy scouts are part of the war effort. That's how much support President Roosevelt has. You can see how wet the streets are. Be careful lads.
FYI - Eleanor Roosevelt banned all vehicles at their Hyde Park Estate for the duration of the war and would use only bikes.
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Transcript - May - 1942
Fort Banks
Dear Butch,
It’s a nice day or rather it’s been a nice day here. Usually I write my daily flyer to you at noon time but to-day I’ve put it off until to-nite. They got us out for the ball team this morning then we had a game this afternoon so I didn’t have any time. When I used to write about how hard this Army is I really meant it. Now if I have stopped writing about Army life lately it’s not because I am getting to like it. It’s not because I like the work I do or the way I have to do it. It’s because I am getting use to it. Maybe I’ve learned to do a few things easier. The Army is at best a hard life.
It’s going to be warm around here this summer. We were up drilling on the big guns this morning and I really worked up a sweat. I’ll have to figure some way to get rid of that – of this latest job I’ve got. It’s too hard and too easy to make a mistake. We have night drill to-night and it’s a pain in the neck. We have to go up there so many times at night so there is no sense of crabbing. One good thing about it is that everyone else has to go up. It is hard to gold-brick out of night drill.
Another thing about getting use to this Army is that it makes it harder to write you. If I don’t gripe about something I have trouble filling the letter up. I’m such a good “crabber” that I can take up a lot of space just saying nothing. Especially when I have a good listener like my wife. To me she is the nicest girl in the world and I love her very much. I think I can truthfully say I appreciate you more and more every day.
Every man should get married. Of course there is always the danger of picking the wrong girl. Some fellows leave it to blind luck and stumble along and get married. But not me. I approach the problem scientifically. You can’t leave these things to change. There is too much at stake. So that’s what I figured and so after about 15 or 16 months of carefully studying the subject, I married it. Little did I think that it would be supporting me. I think I’ll open a matrimonial service to the soldiers at Fort Banks. Strictly for their benefit. With all my experience in handling the opposite sex, especially with the one who I have eating my hand, I’m the perfect choice for hits spot. What do you think of this? Don’t be afraid to speak up. I’m open to any little criticism you might have. I’m willing to give you a break. Whoa, not so fast…
Well, I think I’ll stop writing for a couple of weeks. Look what happens! I write the screwiest things. Anyway sweet, I love you very much and think of you always. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon again.
Lots of love,
Leonard
Next letter tomorrow, May 14, 1942
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