May 18, 1942 - Dear Audrey
It would be nice if I could play pool or ball every afternoon.
Rainy days and Mondays. And nit picky inspectors. He's just looking forward to another pass on Wednesday - not the kitchen duty. Looks like he's got a new job easier than the elevation wheel up on the big guns. And passed his exam. I can't believe they make them easier so everyone passes. But no new passes while they're firing those big guns - that's a bummer.
Original Letter
Transcript follows.
Boston Globe - May 18, 1942
It was just last week that Hartford had their big "On to Victory" parade and this week - it's Boston. Only this time, the rain didn't let up. These are true parade people in Boston. American Day! Yesterday, these shipyard workers were receiving the Navy's highest honor - the E Flag for excellence. Today, they're giving up their raises - and it's a lot of money - into supporting the war effort. People are supporting the war. President Roosevelt made his case and he won the people over. But it better not take too long.
More Parade
They lost some kids and most got wet, but all and all, a huge success.
Boston Globe - Evening Edition
Clip and save the "Consumer's Guide to Price Control". At least this will help a little amidst the rationing, shortages, and blackouts. President Roosevelt has also capped rents. I think he cares about the financial situations of the American people. It's tough in Germany - 2 eggs a month? They are so serious about war materials that a tire thief gets 14 years in prison while Alfred Bligh has either been kidnapped, murdered, or he's on his way to the Bahamas with $56,000 from the dog track he worked for - Dighton.
EXTRA: Sergent Andrew of the Fall River Police Dept. decided to follow a woman friend of Alfred's named Mrs. Effie May Beach out west where he recognized Mr. Bligh getting off a train in Reno and arrested them both on June 5th. They were heading to Los Angeles. Turns out Alfred had a past criminal record and feared being fingerprinted by the dog track and losing his job so he came up with this genius plan and made sure he lost his job. He was sentenced on June 15th to 3 1/2 - 5 years in the state pen.
Meanwhile in Hartford
The Dorothy Dix column sheds light on an issue for women. Do they marry the first guy they find or take their chances on being an old maid. We do secretly hope they choose career and freedom but that's not how girls are raised in 1942. Imagine you're trained to be a homemaker but now you have the opportunity to expand your horizons. You can even join the Army! Oh well, baby steps.
Transcript - May 18, 1942
Bat H 9th C.A, Fort Banks
Dear Audrey,
It’s raining out and has been raining since yesterday afternoon. So things are kind of dreary. This is a tough place when it rains anyway. Sunday went by easy and nothing much happened. It still is tough to get up at 6:30 Sunday morning. I went out and played ball Sunday afternoon until it started to rain and so had a little fun.
This place seems like a prison. From what I hear, they aren’t going to allow visitors at the gate anymore. A lot of fellows lean against the fence and talk thru it to their girls. This only helps create the impression of being behind prison bars with a guard holding a gun on you. I missed church yesterday because I got to reading the newspaper and completely forgot all about the time. I really meant to go too.
As I think I mentioned, we had an inspection Sat. and everything was spic and span. That is it sure looked it but they can always find something. I’m not kidding. You should see the pains we go to get this place in order and the unnatural way we have to keep things. We could never live normally that way. They found fault with my new shoes because they weren’t polished enough. Lord knows you can’t shine new shoes until a few applications. I could tell you quite a few things we have to do and if I did all of them you wouldn’t get any money.
I have a pass coming up Wed. and I also have to spend that day in the kitchen. It’s too bad because if I was free I could arrange to get out early. I could get my pass and tell the fellow at the gate I have to catch a train and get an early start. As it is, I won’t get out until the right time which is 7 o’clock. So look for me around 11 o’clock. This is all the notice you are going to get because all the money I have is $ .20.
I’m not going to get out of firing the guns next month. I’ve got a new set-up. That is in the practice firing. I’m going to be a recorder for one of the many instruments. It’s a soft job and a lot better than that elevation wheel. We are going to fire sometime in June, probably around the first and so I’ll only have one pass until that time. After they start firing no one will get passes until after it’s all over and it might take a month. This new job is interesting and for a change it takes a little intelligence. But I’m not used to that anymore. I’ve just come from taking an exam on the guns and I guess I breezed thru it. They want everyone to pass and so make it as easy as possible. I’m probably talking too soon and will end up with a mark not quite as good I expect.
I sure am looking forward to seeing you this week and I hope it’s a nice day. I’m thinking of taking you out to some woods I know of. It’s practically wilderness and only 15 miles out. I won’t hurt you… that is very much. I’m going to run over and see if I get any mail from you this afternoon because I didn’t get any this morning. You have disappointed me. Are you broke?
It’s raining so hard we won’t have any ball practice this afternoon so I guess I’ll play pool. Don’t get the wrong impression, this is the first afternoon I’ve had off since I arrived. It would be nice if I could play pool or ball every afternoon.
Well, I’ll close now and get this mailed. In case you are interested I’m still carrying my deep affection for you around with me and will continue to do so until the Japs get me or whoever is. I think it will be old age. Translated that means I love you very much and always will. I never thought anyone would ever occupy so many of my thoughts as you do.
All my love,
Leonard
Next letter tomorrow, May 19, 1942
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