6:15 P.M.
Angel—
Surprise! Surprise!—or did you expect it? I wanted to be sure that there was something for you in this delivery of mail.
I haven’t much to report, Sir. After your departure I help Mom “clean up.” I changed into my green sports suit & went to the club with Jakie & Eddie. A few boys were playing ping-pong & Jakie & Eddie joined in. Having nothing to do, I just sat myself down & read a few magazines. While there I took the words of “Everything Happens to Me” in shorthand. It’s a very nice song. I like it. We left early and I was in bed by 10:30.
Arose at 7:45. Off to work. I don’t know whether to call it work because, for the first time, I didn’t have a single, solitary thing to do, except to answer the phone.
Mr. Jaffe (the lucky so & so) bought a ticket to a charity dance & won a free trip to Atlantic City—a weekend at the Ritz-Carlton—all expenses paid. Imagine! Boy, is that guy lucky! He asked me how you were & whether you had been in & various other things. He must have been feeling good for shortly after he had returned from lunch he called me in & said “Evelyn, here’s something for you. I saw it while I was out to lunch & thought you might like it.”
It’s a pin—a replica of your garrison cap that opens up like a locket. A small circular picture fits inside. He said “Now you can have a reminder of your husband with you all the time.” I thought it was a nice gesture on his part. Mom thinks the pin is adorable & wants me to buy her one. She also thought it was very nice of him to give it to me.
I called my mom & had a long talk with her. She will send you a letter shortly. Everyone at home sends their best regards. My father saw an automobile accident take place last night and helped to get the injured woman to the hospital—all of which prompted my mother to have me send you this warning. Be careful—at all times.
I really don’t know what to write. Nothing much has happened. I hope these few incidents aren’t uninteresting. I write these things just for the sake of writing to you, sweet.
If you find you are getting low on funds near the end of the week, don’t borrow, just write, & I’ll send you what you need. I still can spare a few more dollars, so don’t be afraid to ask for it. I want you to have it. I want you to have everything you need.
How’s the heartburn? How was the trip back? If you’re not too busy, dear, try to write to
Your loving wife,
“Ev”
P.S. I tried to send you a kiss but it didn’t come out so good.
P.P.S. I love you.
I think this one is better.
May 20, 1941
6:30 P.M.
My dear hubby:
How are your tootsies? I hope that hike wasn’t too tiresome. Honest, sweet, I think I can feel it too, believe it or not.
I almost mailed my previous letter without a stamp. I asked Harriet to walk me over to the mail fox and she noticed it. I didn’t do very much last night. Harriet & I kept each other company. Mom called the Browns. They had unexpected company from Baltimore Sunday so they stayed home. They were sorry that they could not see you, but will do their best to be here next time you are in. Sidney was also home. I was told to forward best wishes from all.
I called Mark today. I told him to stop around. I’ll also ask him to stop over some week-end when you are home. I’ll explain your circumstances to him and have him drop you a line every once in awhile. He was glad to get some word of your whereabouts. I thought it was a good idea to call him and arrange something in this manner. I hope I have’t gone against your wishes by doing this.
How are the chances for getting leave this weekend?
I did the funniest thing last night. I woke up, patted your mother’s arm & said “Are you alright dear.” I didn’t realize what I had done until I arose in the morning. Were you alright last night?
I have my Aunt Gussie a break & called her. She was more than surprised to hear from me. In act, everything I told her was a surprise. Here, again, I was told to forward best wishes.
I found the enclosed penny coming home from work. I am sending it to you—for luck. Hold on to it.
Mom received a card from the Customs House telling her to be there on May 26th as they want to help her obtain her citizenship papers.
It’s wonderful—the way I skip from one thing to another. I sit down to write—but find it difficult to make my letters interesting. I just jot down whatever enters my mind. I hope these “tidbits” will help to “brighten” your day. If you can take it, I can dish it out.
All’s well that ends well, so I am going to end this so-called letter with all my love to the swellest guy in the world.
“Ev”
Tuesday May 20 -7.30
My Dear Evelyn,
Received your most welcome letter. Don't ever suggest that your letters are uninteresting. They are always that. Even if they weren't, they'd still be the brightest spot of the day, Remember that!
It was very nice of Mr. Jaffe to give you such an appropriate gift. Convey my gratitude for his thoughtfulness, will you, Ev? Maybe someday soon I'll provide that little picture. The trip back here was uneventful and comfortable. We arrived with ten minutes to spare. Yesterday went pretty much as usual after Retreat (5 o'clock). So I wrote a long letter to Mark, since I had promised to do so before I left, and never quite found the time. Lil contributed a letter to "the cause.” She sounded somewhat nervous and distracted, but it was good to hear from her just the same. She is the one person beside you, my sweet, who has taken the trouble to write. If you see her, tell her I appreciate her thoughtfulness in writing to me. Maybe I'll find time to drop her a line soon. Tell her for me that the best thing she could do is - go home. Today was different to say the least. We were called on to repulse an enemy attack on Laurel (Harry knows where it is) - At eight o'clock A.M. we joined the column which, believe it or not, stretched seven and a half miles. So - we marched five minutes and stopped five minutes from eight to three thirty in the P.M. It was pretty tough work as it was very hot and we suffered a little because we were allowed only the water in our canteens, which was insufficient in the high temperature. About half past one the whole company fell out along the sides of the road and grabbed an hour's shuteye before we were called on to continue the march. Anyhow, we were pretty lucky, because the advance columns broke up the attacking forces and occupied our objectives, so we weren’t needed in the battle at all - being the reserve force. Consequently, we were sent back. Altogether we marched about eight miles - and believe me, those bar-racks looked mighty sweet when we returned, hot and tired and dusty and very, very thirsty. There was a great rush for the showers. After Retreat I took my bath and felt immediately refreshed. Right now - I'm feeling pretty good. I've already applied for week-end leave and expect to come in this week on the train (at reduced rate). I have $ 3.50 left of the $5.00 and I don't think it will be quite enough. So - if you can spare it - you might send me a coupla bucks. Why don't you call Sam's girl friend, Ev, and get acquainted - her number is Gra. 4658. Her name is Edna Glaser. She's expecting a call. Please write tomorrow, sweet. My love to everyone - kiss Mom for me - you know, I'm rather proud of Mom. I think you understand why. So long, sweet.
Your lovin' husband
Phil
My Dear Evelyn,
Received your most welcome letter. Don't ever suggest that your letters are uninteresting. They are always that. Even if they weren't, they'd still be the brightest spot of the day, Remember that!
It was very nice of Mr. Jaffe to give you such an appropriate gift. Convey my gratitude for his thoughtfulness, will you, Ev? Maybe someday soon I'll provide that little picture. The trip back here was uneventful and comfortable. We arrived with ten minutes to spare. Yesterday went pretty much as usual after Retreat (5 o'clock). So I wrote a long letter to Mark, since I had promised to do so before I left, and never quite found the time. Lil contributed a letter to "the cause.” She sounded somewhat nervous and distracted, but it was good to hear from her just the same. She is the one person beside you, my sweet, who has taken the trouble to write. If you see her, tell her I appreciate her thoughtfulness in writing to me. Maybe I'll find time to drop her a line soon. Tell her for me that the best thing she could do is - go home. Today was different to say the least. We were called on to repulse an enemy attack on Laurel (Harry knows where it is) - At eight o'clock A.M. we joined the column which, believe it or not, stretched seven and a half miles. So - we marched five minutes and stopped five minutes from eight to three thirty in the P.M. It was pretty tough work as it was very hot and we suffered a little because we were allowed only the water in our canteens, which was insufficient in the high temperature. About half past one the whole company fell out along the sides of the road and grabbed an hour's shuteye before we were called on to continue the march. Anyhow, we were pretty lucky, because the advance columns broke up the attacking forces and occupied our objectives, so we weren’t needed in the battle at all - being the reserve force. Consequently, we were sent back. Altogether we marched about eight miles - and believe me, those bar-racks looked mighty sweet when we returned, hot and tired and dusty and very, very thirsty. There was a great rush for the showers. After Retreat I took my bath and felt immediately refreshed. Right now - I'm feeling pretty good. I've already applied for week-end leave and expect to come in this week on the train (at reduced rate). I have $ 3.50 left of the $5.00 and I don't think it will be quite enough. So - if you can spare it - you might send me a coupla bucks. Why don't you call Sam's girl friend, Ev, and get acquainted - her number is Gra. 4658. Her name is Edna Glaser. She's expecting a call. Please write tomorrow, sweet. My love to everyone - kiss Mom for me - you know, I'm rather proud of Mom. I think you understand why. So long, sweet.
Your lovin' husband
Phil
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