February 13, 1944

Dublin Core

Title

February 13, 1944

Description

A letter from Johnny to Geraldine on February 13, describing his trip home to Buffalo.

Creator

John C. Waller

Date

1944-02-13

Letter Item Type Metadata

Text

February 13, 1944



Dear Jerry,



I don't know why you make disparaging remarks about your letter writing; I always enjoy them. Thanks for the compliment on mine. It's a funny thing, but everyone I write to thinks I write an interesting letter or am I bragging too much. Nothing like blowing your own horn you know. Nearly all women drivers I ever encountered believed in that saying. I've never ridden with you so for the time being you're exempt!



You'll never guess what I did last week end. Nothing less than went home. Boy, oh boy, was I happy when I walked out of the station onto good old Main St! What a feeling! I never experienced such a thrill at seeing the old town before. Believe me you'll go along way before beating that city.



I left camp at noon on Friday, arriving in Buffalo at eleven P.M. My mother and sister were in the kitchen when I walked in. I sure surprised them! It was a tiring weekend, but well worth it. My buddy, 'Buck,' went home with me. He lives in Lancaster, a suburb of ye olde city.



We left for camp at 7:30 P.M. Sunday. Just before I left home, my sister's youngest girls, Nancy (2 yrs.) said to me, "Don't go, John." I don't consider myself too much of a softy, but I had to turn away for a couple of seconds. I wish you could see her. She's the cutest little angel this side of heaven. She is also a little devil on the side. What mischief she doesn't get in, isn't worth while.



We arrived back in camp at 4:20 A.M. Monday morning to find that I had K.P. at 5 A.M. I just had time to change my clothes before reporting for duty. I felt like breaking a dozen eggs over the 1st sergeant's head.



The past week has gone by uneventfully. Yesterday I worked all day on a job for the Colonel. I was supposed to be an M.P. in town last nite, however I had to work instead. I carried on all day to-day finally finishing at three o'clock.



While I was working away Saturday afternoon, the colonel himself came up and stopped by my drawing board. Luckily, I had a short haircut with just a few 'twigs' sticking up for fine weather. He's a stickler for GI scalping. We had quite a little conversation while the C.O. stood around biting his nails. He's as nervous as a cat when an officer who outranks him is around. A lt. bears about the same relationship to a colonel as a pvt. does to a staff sgt.



Anyway, to get back to our conversation, the colonel wanted to know where I worked, where I learned drafting, if I was married. Quite a few people ask me that. I don't know if I look 'married' or what the heck. Someday I'll say I am just for the heck of it. Some fellows have noticed that snap you sent me which is in my wallet. Quite a few wanted to know if that was my wife. I hope you are properly taken aback. Please don't tell that boyfriend of yours or I'll probably be getting a sock in the nose via airmail. Besides, Uncle Sam wants me in good shape to do my job, & he might do more than pop me in the schnozzle.



Speaking of marriage, did you know that Lyle Goring is married to an English girl. That son-of-a-gun sure surprised me. I only hope he comes through the rest of the war O.K. He's been very fortunate so far.



I'll be getting my furlough within a month or so. We expect to pull out of here sometime before May for additional training down South. Personally, I'll be very sorry to leave the northern states. You probably would give your left eye for a chance to spend the winter in southern climes. Take it from me, it isn't all it's cracked up to be.



Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough for now. Hoping you are well and to hear from you soon, I remain,



As ever,



Johnny



P.S. Thank you for the pretty valentine. I hope mine was O.K.

Location

Fort Wayne

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