Your Soldier Boy Project

June 1st, 1944 – Thursday 10:15 A.M., D-5

Darling Mother-

Just think one more day + I’ll have 3 years in this man’s army. Gee! Doesn’t seem that long. Well, I’m ok + doing the same so I’m lucky.

Thought I’d sit right down + write my Mom a letter. So, here I am.

How are things there in dear old Cleveland Mother? I always find myself thinking of you all + home. Just comes natural. I must be a “Home Boy” at heart.

Today here in England it’s nothing like spring. Cold and gloomy. Nothing very cheerful about the weather I must say. Hope there at home you can’t say the same Mother. Burr! Gee! You’d be going down to stoke the old furnace up I’m afraid.

There’s nothing going on that I can say Mother. Same old thing. We’re eating good, sleeping good, + doing good so we’re alright. Certainly miss home though but we’re making the most of it.

I received a letter from my darling last night. It’s dated May 21st. She didn’t have much to say. She’s working hard + stuff. She sent me a clipping of one of the married couples that we know. He’s over here in England in the Air Corp. His wife has a little baby that he’s never seen. Gee! That’s pretty rugged. Anyway he’s named his “Flying Fortress” after his baby “Gloria.” So “Gloria” is basically doing CENSOR here, or should CENSOR. Ha. I’m sitting here pulling my hair out trying to think of something to say.

I suppose I know a little something but I can’t say it. That’s just some situation to be in now isn’t it. Well I know that you understand Mother, so I’m happy.

Has “Henry” heard anything from or about Gladys as yet. Can’t figure that out. She certainly doesn’t seem to care about anybody else’s feelings does she? After all somebody might be just a little worried about her. Well it will all come out in the wash won’t it. Some gal that sister of mine.

How’s daddy making out at work + so forth. Send him my best Mother. Does he still listen to “Gabriel Heatter” on the radio? I hear everybody’s CENSOR. Well I can’t say as we’ll disappoint anybody. Ha.

Well Mother, I’m getting low on info so I’ll sign off for now. Say Hello to Bernice, Judy + Snooky for me + I’ll be back soon again.

So until then-

Your Ever Loving Son + Soldier Boy

-Leonard

May 23rd, 1944 – Wednesday 8 P.M., D-14

Darling Mother –

Here I am feeling swell + thinking of the ones I love at home. The sun is just starting to go down + I wish that you could see it Mom. Well saying its “beautiful” is about the only way that I can explain it. I’m not good at putting my feelings down on paper.

Things are all quieted down for the evening + I’m sitting here chewing on some licorice of all things + feeling nice + comfy.

One of the boys from Pennsylvania got a box of things from home + of course we couldn’t let him get away without passing it out, so, hence the licorice – Ha. Honest Mother, seems as though anything connected with the good old U.S. is so wonderful. Think its because I’m Yankee. Ha. All kidding aside though, we boys were only talking today of how much we’ll appreciate civilian life once more. I’m never never going to be angry about anything when I get out of this army.

How true it is that one never appreciates things until he is denied them Mom! How true.

Army life is the same old thing Mom. Wish I could say more about it but heck! There’s really nothing of importance happening – I might add, that I know of, Ha.

These military secrets knock me out. Sometimes I wonder if I’m in England or not! but not for long. Gee! There’s no mistake about it after getting around.

Poor “G.I. Joe” – feel like the sad sack sometimes.

Don’t know if I told you or not but I finally answered Clarence’s letter. Gee! I’ll just bet he’s lonesome. Honest Mother I wouldn’t want to live without my darling. Away, well I am, I know, but after we knock Hitler out of action I know she’ll be waiting for me Mom!

How’s the best father in the world doing, best sister + doggies too? Give them my “best” and take extra-special care of them.

Well Mother dear I’m running out of things to say so I’m afraid I’ll have to say nighty nite for now. You know I’ll keep you informed so I’ll sign off for now.

So – until real soon again

Your Ever Loving Son + Soldier Boy

Len

P.S. Take extra-special care of “my sweet” for me mother till I come home.

Mom! How I love her.

February 17th, 1944 – Thursday, D-110

Darling Mother –

Here’s your boy again + Gee! I received three letters from you dated Jan 20th, 25th and Feb 9th. You certainly can put out news Mother darling. Your letters are always most interesting. You mentioned sending me a birthday card well! I of course knew that you would. I haven’t received it just yet but I’m looking forward to getting it. Your swell that way Mother.

Ruthie writes me everyday. I just received six letters from her today and yesterday five.

Oh yes – Berneise sent me a swell birthday card from New York also. I certainly can’t complain about receiving mail now can I? Ha. Well, about Ireland – it’s the same though we’re not having so much rain of late. Now that’s newsy isn’t it. Pretty much the same thing is going on. Haven’t been on any passes lately although I’m sweating out one this coming Saturday – to Belfast of course.

I don’t know if I told you or not but my precious sent me a birthday card with a twenty five dollar money order included. Gee! She really shouldn’t have. It’s probably natural for me to be modest though. Mother. Twenty five bucks ain’t no hay. Ha.

I answered “Glad + Henry’s” letter so should hear from them sometime. I know how she is – it’s like you say, she’ll get around to it so if I have to wait for awhile I’ll forgive her. She’s ok Mother.

Coming to Daddy, Gee! He should be in Ireland but for Opera only – I know how climatic he is. I’m certain that the weather wouldn’t agree with him over here. Speaking of weather the radio announcer just said that Cleveland had 8 inches of snow – poor Dad. Ha. We hear the news from the States over the American Forces Network. Certainly appreciate that mother, I’m telling you.

Well any way, Irelands a good country for Operas. They had a lot of them here but tell Daddy, Mother, that I’ll stick with him on Argentina – way – yes sir – Has he heard that song Goodnight, Good neighbor, well that’s about that great country, South America. Dad knows his countrys. The land of Chiwawas, Teikilas [sic] + Hot Tomales or is that Mexico. Anyway, it doesn’t rain so much there.

They do have beautiful places over here Mother dear. Mostly South Ireland though. Your (my) ancestors must have come from there. Don’t think North Ireland. Ha. Haven’t heard from Jack yet, but he’ll come through with a letter. He must be doing okey doke in that “paradise of the Pacific.” Gee! Bananas +coconuts. Imagine! Ah me! I could go for some of that now instead of fish + chips or Tea. The Yankees certainly kid the British – Tommies about their tea. Its coffee or nothing with us.

I can’t imagine Jimmy Ditirceh [sic] wanting to go back to the Solomons. I know how he must feel about being out of the service with every body else in though. He must have taken quite a beating in combat. Well, I hope he will do alright on adjusting himself to civilian-life again. This army is really different. I’m wondering about myself Ha. Should have it so hard though, Mother. I “land loving” and How-

Well Mother, there’s not much left to say – I’m eating ok (what an appetite) + feeling great. Just hoping + praying like us all I’m home soon. So, I’ll say until soon again – Your ever + always loving Son + Soldier Boy

Len

P.S. My love to Tecie [sic] – Judy + Snook. I’ll bet that Snook is a Holy Terror!

February 11th, 1944 – Friday, D-116

Darling Mother –

Received your letter dated Feb 2nd. I’m always so happy + glad, Mother, hearing from home + you.

Glady’s letter was real nice. I was certainly glad hearing from her. I wrote her but I’ll have to reuse this letter now.

Boy Mother! Ruthie sent me a beautiful birthday card + a twenty five dollar money order – Gee! She shouldn’t have. She is certainly a darling. Mother, Bless her heart.

I’m so happy that you + all are fine at home. My home comes first with me always. But then too I suppose that every soldier boy dreams + thinks of Home. Boy! I know I do “And How.”

I’m fine Mother + things here are just about the same as usual.

We have another radio + the music is wonderful.

We get a lot of programs from the States on it. Bing Crosby, Camel Caravan, Fred Waring, + oh yes! Frank Sanatra. Some guy this Sinatra. I don’t think he’s so hot, do you Mother? Ha.

They tell me the women actually “swoon away” over him. Now, how about that.

Ireland is still Ireland. We haven’t been getting so much rain lately though. Pretty cold though Mother. How about Cleveland? How’s that cute little Judy + Snooky. Still tearing up the home. I’ll bet. Say “Hi” to them for me –

Well Mother darling, this is more of a note than letter but I’ll just have to wait until next time for more –

Give my best to Daddy + take good care of him for us –

So I’ll say until next time – Your Ever + Always Loving Son + Soldier Boy

Leonard

January 19th, 1944 – Wednesday, D-139

Dearest Mother –

I’ve received 2 letters from you dated Jan 5^th + Dec 11^th but have just got around to answering them. We’ve been having a little extra training + I haven’t been able to get around to writing. Being as everything is strictly hush-hush over here I suppose that I’ll just have to skip over what we’ve been doing. Military secret you know. So, that puts me in the same old fix with nothing much to say. Ha. I’m certainly glad that Daddy’s over with his touch of flu. Boy! That’s nothing to fool around with. We’re doing fine ourself. Haven’t had any colds myself lately and don’t mind adding don’t want any either.

You ask about this “Irish Potato Bowl” deal, Mother – well to be frank about it I didn’t even know that there was such a thing over here. Now isn’t that “ a-lick” for a solider boy? Just goes to show how that you there at ‘home’ know more about what’s going on than we do.

Irvin Berlin’s “This Is The Army” is playing in Belfast + I hope that I’ll get a chance to see it. Hear that it’s a pretty swell show.

Hate to hear that Clarence’s baby almost had pneumonia. Gee! They’ll have to have more care than that. I’m still waiting for a line from “Sherm’ I know that he’ll write. Ruthie’s “a precious darling.” I really am getting her letters in good-average. One every day. Boy! How I’m praying that this damn war ends soon.

Thanks Mother for sending me Glady’s + Henry’s address. I wrote them quite some time ago but maybe they didn’t get my letters so I’m going to try again.

I also appreciate the clippings. It’s like you say mother, they’re from the “hometown-paper,” Ha.

Well, I’m going to have to cut this letter short mother as they want “lights-out” so I’ll be back real soon. So Until then.

Your Ever Loving Son

Len