December 13, 1942 – Christmas Cards

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’ve neglected you something awful in the last few days. I just couldn’t find time to write and when I did have the time I just didn’t have the inclination so I finally am getting down to it. This afternoon I’m going to get out all of my Christmas card too. I have a list of some thirty odd I want to send and they’ll have to go out very shortly now. So you can see I have much work cut out for me.

I finally did get out on open post on Friday and had a pretty good time. I tried to buy some things for Christmas but couldn’t find a darn thing so I gave up in disgust. I ended up buying only Christmas cards. I ran into a nice girl and went out with her and had a wonderful time. The only trouble was that we had to be in by 10 P.M. so I had to leave early. Believe it or not but I received a letter from her so you can see I made a hit (oh yeah!) I really did have a lot of fun and I’d like to get out a little more often. Once a month isn’t quite enough to please me.

This morning we went over to pre-flight school to hear a talk by General Arnold, head of the Air Force. 20,000 cadets turned out for it and it sure was an impressive sight. Of course it wasn’t very much fun being part of 20,000 standing around to listen to him. We stood almost two hours. He made a very short and rather interesting speech so it really wasn’t too bad. I’ve told you about the baloney I have gone through for these big shots and this wasn’t bad as it could have been. The only bad feature was that it had to come on my day off and ruin a half a day for us.

I think that I will go over to pre-flight school around Tuesday. It is fairly certain that all of us will move out sometime this week to pre-flight. I’d like to make this shipment but I’m inclined to doubt that I will. However, I’ll know soon enough so I’m hoping for the best.

I received your letter of Tuesday night on Friday when I came back from open post. I was very interested in your letter. You mentioned G.I. I thought you knew what that meant as I explained it when I was home. But for your edification it means “Government Issue”. It can apply in several ways a soldier is a G.I., for the issues is G.I. but I guess you can figure it out from there.

I received a nice Christmas card from Mrs. Dever. I still hadn’t written to her but I will sometime soon. Leona’s husband is going in the army this week. Bobby goes in March. So after that the mother + daughter will be all alone. I still puzzled as to Jimmy’s whereabouts.

Another one of my friends is in Africa. I don’t know if you knew him or not. Mario Tucci. He lives below us on Washington St. and I’ve gone around with him on + off for the last year. I also use to ride the trains with him. Dad probably remembers him as the fat boy that used to ride up from the station with me. The boys I know are beginning to really get in the fight now.

I haven’t received my radio as yet but I will soon now. It will probably take longer than usual because of the Christmas rush. I’m waiting for it quite anxiously. I hope it comes soon.

Well I must start my cards. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love
Bobby