April 21, 1947

April 21

Dear Doc,

I really don't know what to say about the flowers, In fact, I still can't believe it and every time I look at them,  I think about you and wonder if they really are from you.  You are sweet remembering.  It does mean a great deal, more than you realize.  Thank you, Doc, for them, I send you a "peachy kiss" via the mail - which I think is a mighty poor via, however that is the best I can do right now.

This will be a short note.  Ursula and I played some terrific tennis the afternoon after getting off duty. Gosh, I am stiff.  More tomorrow.

Hope you have received a decent letter from me - the short noes are dull.

Thanks, Doc, you are a dear - 

With love

Anne

April 17, 1947

Thursday

Dear Doc,

I have been wanting to write you for quite some time but honestly I have been busy, really busy.  Mores. Ladies, my patients has been desperately ill.  Gosh, I thought she was a goner.  She is much better and now I can breathe easily again.  Enough about her, heavens I see her all day.  I hate special duty, never would I go on it unless to nurse a charming young man with vitality.

Jo is not at home, she is staying with Elinor in Valparaiso.  The Stevens' family has a wonderful addition.  A boy, who Jo writes is a darling.  I'm anxious to see him.  Guess I'll go down for the  week-end.

Oh Doc, let me tell you about the Roller Derby, better still I'll send the rules so you may get some idea of the game.  It's wonderful fun.  You'd love it.  Really is more exciting than the wrestling matches we attended in S.A.  It gets pretty rough when the women start slugging each other and pulling hair.  Oh boy, just my meat!  The skaters travel at a terrific rate of speed.  Oh yes, another good thing about the Derby - Beer  - plenty of good cold beer is served ---- Have you little wonder?

I surmised your letter was written with a new Reynolds "ball point" pen.  I have been trying to resist temptation to buy one but now I'm convinced.  They are too "thick".

Good heavens, Doc, you have no reason for feeling badly about the prom invitations.  I'm sure you shall have no difficulty "rounding" up a date.  Say how about "Honey"? I'd love to come but if it can't be arranged there is nothing to be done.  So I shall say no more. Have a good time and tell me all about it, if you'd like.

Hope it is nothing serious with your mother.

Explain what you mean by "I'm a damn Yankee and the blood runs deep."  I've never heard that expression.  Haven't heard about Damn Yankees since S.A.  Got this piece of so called poetry from a long lost friend who is still stuck there.  I consider it all the untruth.  Guess I'll write one on the virtues. I have plenty to say on S.A., I mean.

I must tell you about Ursula, one of the nurses.  She is a German refugee and oh, what a fine, sincere person.  Monday she and I attended the concert.  Heard the Chicago Symphony.  Was De Fauve's last concert with the orchestra and I think his best.  Saw him once before but thought he was rather dull and flat, not flat musically - but disinteresting.  (I'm having a slight difficulty with disinteresting).  The program was fine and the company superb.  We really had fun. It really is a pleasure being with her.  She know music very well, plays the piano beautifully - having given several concerts in Germany and also while she was in a concentration camp.  I tell you, man, she's fascinating.

I don't know how long I shall continue working at the sanitarium. Probably until the later of May.  Being is I really need a vacation.  Don't know what I want to do but this I know - I'm going someplace I've never been before to do something different.  Feel rather weary - which is a signal for a change.

The beer, scotch party sounds like fun.  I'm dying to go on a good stinko party.  I want to get all out of my system.  Something to compensate for the months of quiet living.  Mother had a charming little party for me when I was home, one martini and I was ready for bed. Incidentally, Doc, I am 21.  It was sweet of you to remember - you see, I read Jo's letter.  Feels no different but I can drink beer with a clear conscience. 

I'm dead - must get to bed - will write more tomorrow - Night!

Friday

Just got off duty and I've made myself very comfortable in bed so I shall continue as I am going to the Derby this evening.  Sunday is the last day so I'm going to get as much of it as I can.

Guess I've been doing a lot of photo promising so I shall submit.  These are some "right queer" ones we took while at the cottage last fall.  Was a good afternoon - very pleasant.  Jo and I were demonstrating some of wrestler Morallis's famous last holds.  That is Michael with us.  He's darling, don't you think?  Guess I was saying "peaches."

No rest for the wicked, Doc, so I will have to leave for now.  Must go down to the village before dinner.  Excuse please!

Returned and I shall try to make a favorable attempt at finishing this so as I can mail it.

It is raining - not violets either.  I got pleasantly soaked but it was good.  I enjoy walking in the rain, I have fond recollections of many fine times in the rain with you - Remember the evening we  walked to Evie's and stopped for fruit - some of Burbank's freak creations.  What was it?  Plum and something else - can't remember!  Was fun - Sometimes I think of some of the crazy things we all did and really wonder - We really did just as we pleased - not really caring what anyone thought.  That is as it should be - I'm a firm believer in doing as one thinks best for oneself.  Something or anything that will make that person happy.  Because you know, what might mean or bring happiness may not necessarily be happiness for someone else.  That is a poor way of saying what I want to say but I guess you can gather what I'm trying to convey.  Don't mean hurting others to please our own desires, because if it is a good, noble intention it will be good for us as well as others.  Heavens, how did I get started?

I've said my bit - 

Received a letter from the doctor.  He has quite a practice in progress.  For the present he has his office in the Medical Arts Bld.  You know where it is, do you not?  Same place Jo had her tonsils removed.  He is well and happy.  I'd like very much to see him.  It's unfortunate there are such few people like doctor in the sorted place we live.

Tell me, have you heard from Bill?

You asked about Ruth, she is still at Holff and Marx. In the Junior Section.  Oh boy, what a junior!  Guess she's alright, haven't heard from her - news via Evie.  She's a good kid, a lot of fun.  She certainly had some rough times.  Ah ha, Bandera - 

I really must close - Be good - Write soon

As ever

Anne

April 14, 1947 - from Jo

Monday April 14

Dearest "Doc".

I may as well begin this overdue letter with the best and most important news I know and that is that I am once again an "auntie" to a new nephew born April 2nd!

We are all enthralled over him and at the time I am with my sister using whatever nursing technique I've acquired thus far!

This is Monday afternoon.  Michael, the baby and my Sister are all snoozing, so I grabbed at this one free moment to write to you remembering that you were waiting for a bit of information regarding Anne' birth date, that to get to the point cleared is April 19th!  I know that she will be surprised just to know you might have "remembered".  She doesn't know about the fact that I am writing this letter to you!

It is perfectly heavenly in Valparaiso.  An ideal day for hiking or just fooling around out-of-doors!  For the past days the weather has been very damp and cold, so now that ta really nice day has come along, we are all more than grateful and quite excited!

I have taken an emergency leave of two weeks and honestly I'm loving  every minute of being away from that place for awhile.  Confidentially I think I needed a little change - but it will be good to get back again too!

My Sister and brother-in-law were unable to get a nurse in this city, so Mrs. Stevens came for a few weeks, but not being a Spring Chicken she was once, it was too much to ask of her, so now I'm going to see how great my perseverance is at this "tender" age of mine (a gluten for punishment if I ever heard of one)

I have some delightful music on the radio - some of your favorites "Offenbach's -Now Hydra, ah contentment!

This is all for now, Doc, I must write to my Mother now, she hasn't heard from me for so long she most likely thinks I am dead! - So write whenever you find the time - to the Sanitarium.

Hope you and your family had a nice Easter!

Sincerely, 

Jo Roberts

July 19, 1945

San Marcos

July 19, 1945

Dear Esther:

Well here is the letter you have been expecting.  I suppose I am a little slow but really I am just short of time.  Most letter writing breaks into my social life and you can't have that.  We are going to have some movies here in class now so I have a lot of time while they try to figure out how the contraption works.

We are scheduled to fly tonight but not many fellows will show up. Most of them went on sick call and are off flying for a couple of days.  That means we will only have to fly a couple of hours instead of the regular 4.  

Pop wrote and said you went to see Grandma recently.  I wish I could get to see her again but this darn leave situation is a pain in the neck.  I guess Grandma would like to see me too.

The moves are all over.  They were a couple of U.S. propaganda films about Japan.  You have never seen them and probably never will.  They are called "Our Enemy Japan" narrated by Joseph C. Grew. It was the 4th time I had seen the picture so you can imagine I was slightly bored to say the least.  I just wish someone would wise up and burn some of the films everyone in the army has seen 4 times.  I guess they are saving them for the kids they draft, so they can bore them awhile.

You should have seen the wonderful certificate I got from the civilian defense which by now much be pretty well gone by.  Anyway probably Pop got the same thing saying that they were "grateful for my patriotic service and loyalty during World War II".  I showed it to everyone and the consensus of opinion was that I should be able to go to heaven with all the big dogs now.  Maybe I should just get out of the Army I am needed so badly at home.

Oh yes, by the way, there is a way to get around this leave deal.  So far 10 fellows have left.  Each one has given 3 stock excuses, either their wife had to go home to have a baby and that they had to take her, or that they were going to get married, or that a long lost half brother is coming home after 3 years in the So. Pacific and they want to see him.  Now which one should I use?

Each week I get the paper and look at all the news from the servicemen.  It seems that all the kids younger than I am are getting into the war and getting pretty ribbons while I sit on my dead fanny here in Texas.  You should get a ribbon for being stationed here but they won't hear of such a thing.  All you ever see in the papers around here is how Texas and the United states are winning the war.   They sure think it is a great state.  What I was going to say is; what am I going to tell my kids and their kids when they ask what I did in the great war?  I will have to make up a good story and stick to it.

I guess everyone has noticed that I have a box number.  They had such a mess over at the mail section when they had to go through a whole stack of mail just to find my one little mangy letter that they decided to make boxes.  Now you can go in and look in your box and if no mail, they don't have to look through a stack of mail.  By the way I was only kidding about the one letter, I really get more than I write and am thankful for it.

I always get letters from Pop but seldom write.  The same is true with Mother but I write to Mother  little more frequently.

Well I have got to cut this gab and scram.  I don't know where or what I will do until 7:30 when we fly but I guess I can find something.

Mother has a birthday coming up on the 1st of Aug. is that right.  Anyway if I send anything it will be on the First.

With love

Austin

March 18, 1945

Sunday Mar 18

Dear Mother:

I wrote to Mary yesterday but the letter won't go out till this one does so you will get two letters today.  I sent Mary's to B.U. so if she is on the ball she will get hers at school today.  I thought that in that way I could write two letters and not crowd the Stoneham mail.

The Independent has been coming very regularly.  It comes on Wednesdays or Thursdays so I get the news while it is relatively new.  All mail takes about 3 days which is as good as it was in Lincoln and a lot better than when I was further West.

I have several things on my mind but I can't think of them all at once.  One thing is that it is getting warm here and summer uniforms will be in style again soon.  I would suggest that you get my clothes cleaned up and fit to send because I may want them soon.  It gets quite warm here during the day.  In fact it was 75 F. yesterday and made me think spring was here.  We will need the Summer clothes before I leave since we are scheduled to leave on May 16 which is considered the summer in uniform regulations.  If you could clean up everything now and send them I am sure I could find place for them.  If you do could you find some kind of a clothes bag to keep the blouse in to keep it away from all this coal smoke.

I hadn't realized that grandma was 89 years old.  Maybe you reminded me some time ago but it must have slipped by somehow.  I wish I had sent a card.  Maybe I shall write a letter instead.  I have some Chamber of Comm. literature I could put in which she might enjoy.  She is so interested in such things.

I sure would like to bring the crew to Boston some time.  However there is little hope for such a thing.  It might happen if we flew across instead of going on a boat.  If we flew we would go the Central route which has a refueling stop over at Nashua N.H. or some place like that.  Then it might be possible if we had bad weather to be grounded for a few days and then everyone could come down and see Boston.  If we go by boat we might leave by way of N.Y. although the last shipment from Lincoln went through Boston.  It would be a troop movement and no one could leave and there are few chances of having a layover because of weather.

Training goes on as usual except weather gives us a break every once in a while.  It seems that the weather in this part of the country has a bad tendency to be bad a lot of the time.  It doesn't rain all the time but the ceilings are too low to take off.  We have to have 1500' ceilings before we can leave the ground.  Often they reach 1000' but that still keeps us down.  When you get up rested and ready to fly it kind of makes you mad to sit around doing nothing.  It seems I always want to fly but the crew is content to see bad weather.  I don't blame them too much because they don't have much to do in the air.  I believe today we won't fly because it looks like rain so we will have to sit down on the line for 5 hours or more waiting for the weather to break or looking at G.I. movies I have seen a dozen times.

I really don't have many ideas for letters this morning.  Last night I could have written a book but today I am short of words.  I really don't have time to write either because it is time to eat and then go to the line.

Meals around here are not too hot.  They cost 50 cents apiece but are not too filling.  If I get fat or gain any weight at all it will be because we have access to other food at the officer's club and at a cafeteria.  I spend most of my money nowadays on cleaning and eating.

Next month I get $396 pay which is going to be quite a windfall.  I now have $144 check and another $140 in cash which makes me a rich man now.  You will probably get about $400 next month as I have nothing which I need to spend money on.  I already have too much of everything.  

Well I must close now because I am short of time, paper and words,

With love

Austin  .

Birthday - 45

Birthday - 45

Dear Mother:

I got letters from about everyone today and I really should answer them but how can I and keep up in my social life?  It is just one big whirl.  

Well Mother, you can no longer make me do dishes or go to bed or do anything but disinherit me and kick me out.  Today I am a man???  I am no longer your little boy but 21 years old, old enough to vote and pick the next president.  My it's a wonderful feeling but I feel like I did yesterday.  I know my rights now and you had better look out.

You know I don't think I will disconnect myself from the family quite yet.  I still like most of the people in Stoneham and it seems that my favorite relations live in Stoneham.  The Army still has quite an influence on me so I can't see that I have gained a heck of a lot in the last 24 hours.

The Seeleys and the Schmales were both wonderful.  They tried to give me a good time and were very successful.  It's no so much what they do as just the gesture.  It makes one feel good to know that someone cares. I doubt if we could have run into two any finer families if we had set out to find them.  How lucky I am.

Well Sam and I are giving the girls a break.  We are having a little trouble breaking their hearts but I hope they get over it and don't take their lives because we spurned their love.  After all they should feel lucky to even get a date with such an eligible pair.  We sure are a gift to the women.  We meet all comers on their home ground.

Well maybe it isn't that bad but we have never been refused since we have been here.  Once we took a girl away from a lab period and again away from a study period for an exam.  They are always too glad to come and help us spend our money.  The trouble is they don't seem to be gold diggers but rather spend thrifts.  

I shouldn't write to you about such things because you might get the idea that I will fall in love or something but that won't happen.  I am immune to women and have a fond intention of being a bachelor.  Maybe after I have made a million I will give some nice pretty home-loving girl a break but not till I find one such.

I hope you haven't forgotten the newspaper for the Seeley's.  Now about those pictures.  I sure would like some kind of proof that I had the pictures taken.  Never mind the small pictures if they are going to be a bunch of highway robbers.  What they are asking is much too much.  maybe Mr. Braynard can tell you what we should know but don't get the small pictures if they are going to ask all of what you quoted to me.

I guess I will have to leave off here and continue some other day.

With love

Austin.

February 9, 1945

Dear A.P.:

Today is the one I have waited for for just as long as I can remember.  Today I am 21 years old and am no longer my father's responsibility.  Now all the little lessons of my childhood will be put to a test and we will see if my family did the job and gave me the right start.

I am sure I could not have picked two better parents.  If I had had a chance to pick who would give me my home I might have picked millionaires but I doubt if I could have been as happy or have learned any more practical ways of living than I have from you and Mother.  No my home could not have been much happier.

Years ago I had the idea that by 21 everything would be running smoothly and my life would be settled for me.  I had dreams of having a home of my own and making enough money to be happy.  However I have lost the last couple of years to that dream and instead I have gained a very technical education that makes life's problems no easier.  Socially I am no farther advanced than a year ago or two years ago but economically and mentally I am far advanced for my time, not that I am a great brain or anything but that I have qualified at 21 for a job held down several years ago by men far my senior.  Actually my 21 years still classifies me as only a kid in this game.

I suppose by law now I am my own boss and the parental strings are about cut.  I am no longer responsible to you but to myself.  I suppose I can take the family name to glory or to ruin.  I have only my pride and pride of my name to guide me.  Yesterday I was a kid but today I am a man but feel like a kid.

Well I am meeting my share of the girls out this way some I like and others I have little or no interest in.  Most of the college girls are loads of fun and very attractive and come from good families.  The other girls on the other hand do not generally come from the better families.

You probably know that when you are looking for fun you take along most anyone who will fit in.  I met an elevator operator who looked rather nice.  We had a date then just what you can expect happened.  She fell for the shiny buttons and the wings.  She also came from a very poor family and has no high school education.  Now when you get all the facts you can practically tell what will happen but when you ask a girl for a date you can hardly ask for her references.

Another one is the daughter of the Attorney-General.  Of course she is attending college and a heck of a lot more sensible.  We met her quite by accident.  She picked us up.  We were waiting on a street corner one cold afternoon for a street car when this big car stopped at a stop light.  She rolled down a window and asked us if we wanted a ride.  We piled into the back seat and saw an Alpha Phi sticker.  We know a couple of Alpha Phi girls so we asked them about it and found out we had a couple more of the family.  So you see once you hit it off good and the next time you get caught for being friendly.

Well this birthday has been the best since I have been away.  The Schmale family gave me a celebration last night and the Suley's today.  People out this way are really wonderful.  Also all the people at home seemed to remember me.  I wish I could thank them all and I hope I get the time but maybe I won't be able to find the time.  I am really glad to have so many friends especially when some special occasion comes up.  Maybe all those little jobs around the church pay off after a while.  I never would take one for that reason but the friendships are really wonderful.

Well I hope my next year will be as happy and as successful as this one.  It has had a few minor disappointments but I have received all of the major things.  I have the wings and commission and a flying job, what else could I want.  Yes I am very happy and well pleased with what I have accomplished even though at present it look like not much at all.

With love
Austin

June 19, 1944

Luke Field

June 19, 1944

Dear A.P.

I hope I can write a letter on these two sheets of paper because it is all I have now and can get no more till tomorrow.

First let me say "Happy Birthday".  I hope this letter comes somewhere on time.  I don't think I know for sure how old you are but I guess it is close to 60 years.  That seems to me to be a long way.  I guess you said in your last letter that you were close to 60 so I guess I am right.  I can hardly imagine you as that old because I used to get the idea that after 60 you retired and looked old and brittle but I guess you kind of pushed through.  I guess you are going to keep right on just as your father has.  Well Congratulations and best wishes for next year.

I'm sorry I can't get a card to send but this will have to take the place.  I don't leave the past weekends because I have nothing special to take me away.  I go to the swimming pool and get a good tan and drink Root Beer all afternoon.  I also see 2 movies so my weekends are very enjoyable.  I am also saving a lot more money which I may use later.

Mother wrote and sent along some pictures.  I guess you know what I am talking about.  I got quite a kick out of them.  Everyone looks just as they did a year ago.  If you have any more taken please send them along.

I am glad you are getting so much fun out of Real Estate.  I doubt that you could interest me right now but maybe after I get home again.  You have got to work hard so we can have a plane when I get home.  By the way what kind of a radio license did you get and just what can you use it for? Please write something about it in your next letter.

Of course you know we use radio every day and it doesn't mean much to me.  I guess your radio deal is a lot different from mine.  I probably couldn't get a license to talk over it.

I have finished my instruments and got a instrument certificate saying I can fly in instrument weather and make take offs in weather with 500' ceiling and 1 mi visibility.  It means I can fly an kind of a plane in the "soup".   I call it quite a victory.  Right now I am back trying to learn to land the AT6 right and do other basic maneuvers.  I like my instructor very much and get along pretty well with him.

Yes, I got my watch all right.  Thank you very much.  I hate to say anything that might worry people but I had the watch only 2 days and lost the crystal out of it.  It had to go to the PX to get a new one.  It also lost 10 min that day so I don't know if it was due to the lost crystal or the watch.  I will see pretty soon.  I guess it is all right.  I almost feel like getting a cheap shock water proof watch for flying.  However I will see how this one stands the strain.

Mother wrote the other day and sent a clipping advertising T.W.A. 

(This is borrowed paper)

Well she has a very good idea and the expense doesn't bother me but I would hate to get grounded in Kansas City on the way back and have 12 hours to get to my next post.  It would be swell to come home but I would be foolish to try to come home in 10 days.  I might show up.

Flying is coming along all right I guess.  I am no hot pilot yet but I guess I still have an even chance of getting those silver wings.  Just think I have spent a year of hard work to get something everyone strives or wishes they could strive.  More fellows my age would like to be in my shoes.  I can see wha they want but I doubt if they can imagine the work it was and still is.  I have about 8 weeks to go and still have hopes.  A lot of fellows have given up and are now dropping out.  They all seem so tired that after the first E ride they give up.  After they are definitely out they seem to again come to live.  It seems that way with everyone.  Everyone is almost worn out.  Everyone is tired, all need a vacation but has 8 more weeks to go.  They have washed out 3 of our flight.  I hope they get no more.  They are bout to get another because he washed out a plane today.  Well it seems to be the breaks I guess.

I must close now.  Let me say Happy Birthday again and many happy returns.

With love

Austin

My address is just as you find it on the envelope.