I am a cannoneer in the Coast Artillery. This letter may not have been written on Friday, April 3rd, but I'm pretty sure it was. I’ve included the envelope but the date is not clear, so we’ll just go with this. I think he did get
What a bunch of hot apples! This is the first letter Dad will write to Audrey as a draftee. He has made it to Fort Devens near Ayers, Massachusetts and he has some thoughts about the cattle herding process he endures. Relating it to Gypsy Rose Lee is unique. Bottom
Welcome to the story - Dear Audrey: WWII Happy April Fool’s Day, 84 years ago! It’s off to the Army day. Leonard, aka Joe, aka Dad will travel today so the first letter starts tomorrow - April 2nd. And maybe it’s a spoiler alert but let me set expectations,
This should be a rather short post since tomorrow is the big day - Dear Audrey: WWII kicks off. First letter will post on April 2nd. In the meantime, this map highlights the approximate location of the places referred to in the letters: WWII The United States is officially at war,
Did you know duct tape was developed in 1942? Duck Tape - The US Military (using The Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division) develops Duct Tape. It was originally called duck tape by the troops because water ran off it but later adapted to "Duct Tape". Groceries Let's
It's Saturday, so what's going on? Here at the end of March in 1942, curfews and blackouts are just beginning. They are just starting to implement rationing not only for gas and tires, but sugar and coffee. And what happens to tea time when they'
In just one week my Dad - who everyone still calls Joe, will present himself at a railroad station with all the other draftees and head to Fort Devens near Ayers, Massachusetts and join the Army. I believe he'll leave from Natick with Audrey and his family there as
We know why we entered WWII - it was right after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt immediately went before a joint session of congress to get approval to declare war on Japan. Why? Because they attacked us. But what was Japan thinking? I'm no expert but here'
St Patrick's day has been celebrated in Boston since 1876 - great fun and green beer. In 1901, Boston and surrounding communities enacted Evacuation Day on March 17 as a state holiday to honor local history. According to Google: Evacuation Day is a legal holiday observed on March 17
Ok, rarebit looks really good. Especially with Guinness. War continues to rage so St. Patrick's Day might be a bit more low-key. There will be a parade because this is Boston - I can share that tomorrow. In the meantime, Massachusetts Governor Saltonstall has decreed a 40mph speed
So Joe and Audrey are off enjoying this time together. April 1st, draft day is coming up soon. In the meantime, the war is getting excellent coverage in the newspaper. Gas Rationing Guess who's setting up gas rationing cards? It's the oil industry. As shown on
On this day in 1942, my dad and mom: Leonard (Joe) Barnes Main and Audrey Gertrude Grala got married. It was a small, quiet ceremony at the church across the street from Joe’s family home in Natick, Massachusetts. That’s where they prepared for the big event. It was
