:: letters home - in memory of ::

i've been wanting to share poppy's letters from war for a while, but just haven't taken the time to get them all scanned and figure out how i wanted to post them. so for memorial day, i'll go ahead and put a couple of them up here. his first two letters home.

in honor of my favorite soldier.
letters from my favorite soldier.

[click to enlarge]

21 Nov. 1944
Dear Mamma,
Here is the first letter that I have had time to write since we left Georgia. We had a nice trip and all went well. The train was made up of pullmans, a kitchen and a couple of baggage cars. Traveling by pullman really beats the old coaches.

The weather here is pretty cool and it has been raining for a couple of days. I suppose that it will really get cold when the rain quits. My blanket-lined jacket really comes in handy now. I wish that I had a sheep-skin vest for really cold weather.

Will you have Daddy oil my guns every couple of mo weeks or every month. They should be oiled both on the inside & outside. Tell him to keep the inside of the shotgun barrel in good shape even if he has to buy a rod & brush for it. I'll pay him for the brush. He doesn't have to worry about the inside of the rifle barrels for they won't rust.

Don't worry about me for I am o.k. and will get along o.k. Tell the rest I said hello and will write as soon as possible.
Lots of love,
Arthur Jr.

[click to enlarge]

25 Nov. 1944
Dear Mamma,
Well here it is Saturday night and I am Duty Officer to-night. There really isn't very much that I can write about as we have very little news.

I'm sorry that Tech let Notra Dame beat them so bad. Tech had been riding along on luck for a long time. I guess that it really hurt Daddy too.

Martie, Buddy, Pramer, Lillie & I met in the big town last night and spent the day sight-seeing. I knew that it would be a large place but wasn't expecting it to be that large. I don't know whether I would like to live up here or not. I believe that I will still take good ole Georgia for my home.

We saw them ice skating and it looks as if they do it so easy. I believe that it would really be fun. I'd like to make an ice sled with a motor on it and ride over the lakes & rivers when they freeze over.

Has Elizabeth heard from Walt since he called her the other night? Martie & Buddy said that they hadn't seen or heard of him. I suppose that he just didn't have any time off to call her. John Jr wouldn't have anything to do with me the first time I saw him but the next time he seemed very glad to see me. I believe that he was just sleepy the first night.

I am going to close now and go check on the men.

Mamma I want you to snap out of it and quit acting like you have been about my going to the A.P.O. P.O.E There just isn't any use in your acting like and you're just running your blood pressure up and hurting yourself. There just isn't any sense in it at all. You'll just worry everyone around you. Now promise me that you'll relax and not worry or I'll just quit writing to you. No I won't do that but I'll be mad at you and no fooling.

Tell everyone I said "hello."

Lots of love,
Arthur Jr