May 24, 1942 - Dear Audrey

I’m going to throw my hands up in disgust.

It's off on a special, secret mission to South Boston. Then there's the clothes washing mission. Really sounds like a lot of work to get clean fatigues. Well, somebody's clean fatigues. But it is the Sabbath so hopefully some rest is in store. At least a dime will get you some coffee and a dough nut.

Original Letter

Transcript follows.

Meanwhile in Hartford...

I only have access to Hartford's Sunday paper so ... comics it is!

The Hartford Courant on a Sunday is a massive paper of 70 pages with sections and something for everyone. I don't know how anyone could get through it all. In 1942, the paper is 10 cents. Today - it's still massive - like 100 pages and $5.50.

Transcript - May 24, 1942

Fort Banks

Dear Audrey,

Six days shall thou labor and the seventh, which is the Lord’s day is a day of rest or something like that. That is probably true everywhere except in the Army. They’ve changed it so that there is no day of rest, just seven straight days. They took us over to So. Boston on another detail and I was right with them. No matter what it is, I’ll get it. Maybe it’s because the name is easy to spell. We went over right after noon chow and didn’t get back until after 6 o’clock and we really worked. I’m going to throw my hands up in disgust.

I sneaked away from the ball field yesterday afternoon and did my washing. It was quite a washing. About 16 pieces not counting my shoes. Sure, I take a hard brush and scrub the dirt off. I put my fatigue clothes to soak so that they would be easier to wash later on. Last night I went in to grab the bucket and started scrubbing them. Then when I started to hang them up I discovered that they didn’t look like mine and sure enough, they weren’t. I had washed someone else’s. They had left theirs to soak in a bucket too. Boy was I mad. I started to go down and wash mine, but then I figured maybe the other fellow would come in and wash mine for me thinking they were his. Then I could exchange with him in the morning. And that’s what happened although I think I got the other fellows’ cleaner than he got mine. Anyway, it’s an improvement. They were awfully dirty.

I tried sleeping this morning but it was no use. These guys make an awful racket and although I did sleep a little, it wasn’t much. And I got hungry. When I went to church (that’s right, church) I stopped for coffee and dough nuts and so there goes a dime.

Next time I see you I’ll tell you all about the sermon. I hope I see you soon because I miss you very much. If they only give me a 12 hour pass this Sat. I’m going to come down and see you and then climb the fence and get back in again Sunday nite. I love you very much.

Lots of love,

Leonard

Next letter tomorrow, May 25, 1942

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