October 12, 1945

Brooks Field

Oct. 12, 1945

Dear Mother:

I guess you wonder why the long silence do you not?  Well I know of no good reason except that I have been occupied by a number of things of late.

First I have found something to do in my spare time; in fact it takes up all my time.  They have a "Hobby Shop" here where you can make all kinds of things from wood or metal or plastic.  As yet I haven't found anything special to make but have just dubbed around.  They have all the tools but none of the mechanical equipment.   They do have electrical had drills and a portable sander and the rest is makeshift.  So the other day I set myself up a lathe and spent the day making screwy designs of no value.

Then I spent a day putting my leave through which is scheduled for the 23rd.  If all goes well I will be home by the 24th on the American Airlines.  It is to be for 10 days leave and 7 days travel time but seeing I am going on the Airlines I will really have 15 days leave and 2 days travel time which is a better deal.  The reason I am coming so late is because the Airlines to Dallas are so crowded they couldn't make space for more than 2 weeks.  But don't worry I will get there soon.

Tuesday nights are always boxing night in town.  Going to the matches is another way we spend time and money.  Some of the fights are really good and the crowd is really thirsty for blood.  They are really thrilling and they draw huge crowds.

Then on Wednesday night we go to the wrestling matches which are more fun than boxing.  Ask A.P. about them and I guess he can tell you about them.  Every one but some of these stupid Mexicans knows the thing is cut and dry and is just a big show before things start but they are really fun.  Some of the characters they get out in the ring are just plain funny to look at.  Even though they look like they are pounding each other to death and tearing each others arms and legs off, they way they walk away from the ring, is sufficient proof of few injuries.  They throw each other around but do little damage and get the most applause when they both start in on the referee.  Anyway it is fun.

Then on Sunday it is the Jalopy Races.  Everyone who has a car that has been smashed up but will still go around a gravel pit track they have, gets said heap and enters in the races.  They too are a lot of fun to watch.  Cars get run into ponds, over banks, into mud holes and tipped over, which leads to the thrills of a lifetime.  

So if you are smart and want to have peace in the family you had better get my clothes out of moth balls and get them cleaned and pressed.  It must be cold up there because it is getting cool here and we can wear winter clothes any time.  I am going to bring home all the summer things I have because I doubt if I will ever need them again in the Army.

Well this is the last of the paper.  I will have to buy some more tomorrow.

With love 

Austin

PS Oh yes we moved to the other end of the field yesterday and may have a change in address soon.

October 2, 1945

Brooks Field

Oct. 2, 1945

Dear Mother:

I have been waiting to hear from you before writing because I didn't know just what the opinion was at home.  Well I got your letter today and so will apply for leave to become affective about the middle of the month.

 I have been wanting to come home for some time but I have been having so much fun that I guess I just needed a little persuasion.  It also looked like a long way and rather expensive.  However I will come on the Air lines and that will make the distance seem shorter but the expense will be a little greater but in time saved I believe it will be worth it.  It will cost 1 1/2 times as much but I can save 5 days and the money will be well spent.  Anyway money ceases to be an object anymore.  

I was a little afraid to send Mary such a birthday present because I had no idea what her taste along that line was.  Also it is awful hard to send perfume to anyone knowing before hand that she doesn't use it a great deal.  I know she would like it but I had a lot of doubts in my mind as to the advisability of such a thing.  In fact I doubted at first if you would approve.  She also has written so I am very happy that it turned out O.K.

It is too bad you can't meet the latest lady fair.  She is such a lot of fun and so full of mischief and fun everyone would like her.  And she enjoys doing everything we do.  She likes to dance but loves to go to record stores and listen to classical records.  We went to the "Opera" last Friday to see Sigmund Romberg's "The New Moon" put on by the S.A. Civic Opera Company.  It was strictly an amateur production with three of the leads taken by  Mt. Opera Stars so it wasn't too hot.  But we all got a big kick out of it.

Gordon MacRae singing "Stout-hearted Men"

Wanting You by Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy

There are so many things we like to do together that I hardly have time to write.  Really there is only one catch to the whole thing and that is she is Catholic.  I have no wish to get mixed up in any such deal so don't worry.  That is also very strange because she is also so bitter about her religion and makes no bones about it.  It is the first time I have seen anything like it.  Usually they are so indoctrinated that it is almost impossible to talk to them but Anne is just the opposite, even though her parents are such firm followers.  Anyway we have a lot of fun together and you have to have something to do in your spare time and we have a lot of it.  I just feel fortunate to have met such a swell person.

We went out to eat one evening last week and she suggested the "John Quattle" because as she says "it has atmosphere".  Well it really was a nice little place outside of town not too far from her house.  You eat outside in a kind of garden but the best part of it was they have a violinist and a cellist who play requests.  They just wander around and park themselves where they can.

We ordered a couple of steaks done Mexican style which are really delicious, you probably have never eaten much Mexican food.  When we were about done the two gentlemen came over to serenade us and were we thrilled.  I guess we acted a little spell bound and I could just imagine how Mary would have liked that.  They played Jealousy and something else by Fritz Kreisler.  Anyway when we left I knew just what she meant by atmosphere.  So that is the way it goes her in S.A, I really do enjoy it because everyday is different and entertaining.  Do you think you can compete?

Jealousy Tango

I haven't written much about S.A. to you because there really isn't much to it.  It is one of the most crowded but still deadest towns I have ever been in.  They have so few things interesting to do that entertainment is scarce.  The movies change once a week and I have seen all of them, we went up to the Alamo but there isn't much to see, if you are not a native of Texas you can't see an awful lot to do.  Since I am interested in everything I do get more enjoyment than a lot of people.  I have found out that a town is no better than the people in it and the Mexicans around here are not my idea of good neighbors.  They have an average of 3 killings a night and all kinds of hold ups and knifings.  Frankly I am a little afraid of the place and may buy myself a gun to carry.  Perhaps I would get a false security from it and then really get into trouble.  Anyway when you have good company you can have fun in any town.

I am sending a picture taken in town a couple of weeks ago.  As you can see we were very happy, just whistling along.  It is not much of a picture, but that is what we look like in our afternoons off.  One of those sidewalk photographers caught us and gave us a little card and this is what we got.  Even though it isn't much I can always get a larger one out of it later on, maybe 40 years from now.

Taken September 20, 1945

I also have one take of Anne on the street which is really terrible and I shan't send it because I am sure you would get an awful impression.  She is an awful good looking girl but the picture has her scowling and looking rather unhappy which is just the opposite of what she is with me.  She may be different than I think but I doubt it.

I am going to send Mary the program from "The New Moon" so if you want it you may have to show her the picture.  Maybe that is a good way to be sure everyone hears what happens down here.

Well I have just rambled on and on and haven't really gotten anywhere.  I don't really have to get anywhere because we are staying in tonite.  I am getting tired of going out and coming in late every night anyway and I think they need a rest.

Well I will keep you informed of the latest developments but don't make any plans until you get definite word and that may not be  until I come up the back walk.  Maybe that would be a good trick to play.  Just because I am coming home don't forget to write.

With love

Austin