May 16, 1942 - Dear Audrey
I guess I’ll have to be an officer.
Ok Casanova :) So he makes it thru the inspection and plays some ball. Maybe now he'll attend the dances so he can those skip the alerts. You do have to take these alerts seriously since there are reports of enemy subs sinking freighters in the Gulf of Mexico and even up the the Mississippi River. Enemy subs have sunk ships up the St Lawrence River so coastal regions - like where Dad is at, are major concerns. I had no idea the war got so close. Then came the mandatory lectures. Giant sigh. Not sure what he has against the g.d. jews. I thought we were pretty focused on the Germans, Italians, and Japanese - you know, the axis of evil, but white guy racism is ingrained and systemic and open. More giant sigh.
Original Letter
Transcript follows.
The Boston Globe - May 16, 1942
Twenty thousand +/- people turned out to support the Fore River Shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Company as the Navy Secretary Frank Knox awarded the highest Navy honor - the E flag for work above and beyond. Pretty cool. That is a huge crowd. Did you know enemy subs were making their way to the Mississippi River? Russians are kicking butt. And you want to know what's worse? No one explained to Toto about sugar rationing. Poor Toto.
The Boston Globe - Evening
That's a really cute letter home. None of the crabby parts like we get. LOL. Prices will be controlled including rents to help the American people and according to Canada, it works. And Mr. Browder did his time.
Meanwhile in Hartford...
It's funny how we understand a "Home Page" in 2026. In 1942, it's about making a home not your website. LOL. So many great radio programs like Wife Saver, Come On and Dance, sports, news, and Ellery Queen. Don't be late, there's no rewind. The Daily Menu seems a disappointment although I admit I've never had a jellied ham loaf. Have you tried it?
Transcript - Saturday
Fort Banks
Dear Audrey,
First of all, what’s the idea of using up all the valuable stationary? I mean poor Mr. Heath. And then what’s the idea of saying my technique is something just recently acquired? Hasn’t everyone been telling you what a “Casanova” I am? It’s something that has taken years of hard work to develop. I’ve left a long string of victims in my wake. Of the fairer sex too. I should think you could have figured out by the ease and sure-footed way I went about breaking you in. Everything I did was perfectly planned in advance. Sort of a blitz krieg. Just like taking candy from a baby or rolling off a log. I keep telling you what a lucky kid you are that I picked you out of probably hundreds of others. The more I think of it now, the more I wished I had run a contest for me. I might have made a little money. You know one of those quiz programs or a “guess who”. One of the reasons I picked you was because I fell in love with you a long time ago and each time I see you my love grows and grows.
Right now the one who has the other eating out his hand, it’s you. If you asked me to break my g.d. rifle I would gladly toss it away. And that is mutiny right there. My rifle is supposed to be my best friend. So they tell me. Anyway I’m only kidding except for that part about ow much I love you. You’re the only girl in the world for me. I’d rather have your picture than all the gals in Tahiti.
I got your two letters including the one with all the money. I might have to write a check anyway before I can come down again. I’m all out of soap, shoe polish, saddle soap, and envelopes and one other thing that I can’t think of right now.
The inspection did not help make me feel any better. But I went out and played ball this afternoon and so feel much better to-nite. I did everything all right but some of the fellows got extra duty for some of the smallest things. These officers are so cheap. Boy, I felt like throwing the rifle at them and walk off to the guard house. Of course that would make things so much tougher.
They had an “alert” last nite and the fellows that were up to the dance were excused from reporting for duty. While a few of us went up there and stood around in the cold for a couple of hours until the all-clear was given. I am not sore at the fellows for going to the dance but it was certainly unfair to the ones who stayed in. But there are so many things that happens to us that are so damn unfair and also silly that it is needless to mention them.
This morning we had a lecture on gas from a Lt. Levine (a g.d. Jew) that was so lousy, it was disgusting. I’m a little biased, I’ll admit, but this fellow was so bad that it was obvious. He should be back pressing pants and sewing buttons. And these lectures are another thing.
We also had another lecture this afternoon which was almost as bad. The lecturers on the whole are very poor. I should think the War Dept. would try to make these interesting.
Most of the fellows fall asleep and that’s no lie. They catch h-ll for it but sometimes your eye lids get so heavy you can’t hold them up. If this information is worth giving to us, it should be presented in a way that is interesting and not in any way that the lecturer sees fit. I can’t get over the way that lousy Jew read us his material this morning. If you were to ask me, I’d admit I don’t like the idea of taking something I don’t like because that is what we have to do. I guess I’ll have to be an officer.
As I said before, I stayed in last night. It’s getting pretty bad when I don’t feel like going out anyplace. I was tired and so after cleaning my rifle I went to bed. I guess I was the only one in bed in the whole camp when the sirens started ringing. It’s a wonder we don’t break our necks running around like mad in the dark. I’m looking forward to seeing you next week and I think I will. I’ll let you know what day I have off if I have time. So remember, I love you and you are my girl.
Love,
Leonard
Next letter Monday, May 18, 1942
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