December 26, 1942 – “Fair Time But Didn’t Do Anything Exciting”

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I have just a few minutes so I’m going to write a few lines to you anyway. I got a pass to go to town as I told you in my Christmas day letter. I had a fair time but didn’t do anything exciting. It was a relief to get away from here for a while. I can’t say as it helped me though as I was a little down in the dumps today. I managed to snap out of it this evening and now I feel better.

I hope you get the telegram I sent you. I couldn’t express greetings as that is against their regulations. I tried to convey my wishes for the day and yet keep it out of the greeting class. At least you got the idea that I wanted to convey.

I received a card from Leota and in it was a dollar which she wanted me to buy cigarettes with, which I will. I just finished writing to her and thanking her. It was really swell of her.

I caught up on my correspondence a little today. I just write short letters now as I haven’t the time for anything else. I guess it is better to receive a few words than none at all. I’m still not caught up but almost.

Well I’ll have to close now as it is getting late. I’ll try + write more tomorrow.

Love
Bobby

December 25, 1942 – Merry Christmas to You

Christmas Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

Merry Christmas to you. It is now around 7:30AM and I’m waiting for my breakfast. It still doesn’t seem like Christmas to me but it is. I thought I’d write to you the first thing this morning even though you will receive this message after Christmas. At least you will know my first thought was of you and home. I wish I could be home to enjoy this day of peace with you but I have a bigger job to do.

Last night we had a little Christmas Eve party that some of the boys made up. Everyone got a little silly ten cent present and it was a lot of fun. My present turned out to be a drum as it seems they have found me banging on various things at random times. It is a very nice idea and it helped take some the sad edge off the eve.

I wrangled myself into a pass from 10 to 10 today so at least I can go to town and have a little nicer day than at the post here. I’m going to eat dinner at the St Anthony Hotel, the nicest place in town. I will at least get a small kick out of the day anyway.

I’m going to try and send a telegram to you if I can. You know they cut out getting(?) telegrams so I’m trying to figure a way so that it will comply with their rules and yet get by. You know I will be thinking of you and my heart will be at home.

Well folks I had better quit before my nostalgia gets the best of me. Incidentally it is raining here and is a nasty day. A fine state of affairs. Merry Christmas and the best to you.

All my love
Bob

December 23, 1942 – Guard Duty, Butter Cookies, and Christmas Thoughts

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m dead tired tonight as I just came off my 24 hours of guard. Since Monday I’ve had 3 hours sleep so you can picture my state. Guard is plenty rough around here. That old rifle gets awful heavy after a while and you are on your feet all the time. I’m darn glad it is all over until next time.

I have to write to you tonight as your package arrived today. It is really swell and I’m enjoying the food along with some of the boys. It sure is swell and I appreciate it very much. Thank you. I’m eating some of the butter cookies now. Just a little crushed but still they taste wonderful.

We have a little Christmas tree in the center of our barracks. Just a little atmosphere. I took the greens you sent and decorated my radio with them. It still doesn’t seem like Christmas but it is only one day away from Christmas eve. I’m going to spend Christmas day thinking of you. I’ll be with you at least in spirit.

Well I must close and study a little. I’ll write again tomorrow.

Love
Bob