Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST SIXTY-FOUR (The Birthday Card Fiasco) 23 AUG 1943

August 23, 1943

Dearest Mother,

Got two letters from you to-night with the pictures in one. I sure felt bad after reading one letter as I couldn't find the answer to the problem about my birthday. I had just taken a shower, changed my underwear and after a few glances at the paper was planning to do a lot of letter writing, but after reading your letter I just lay on my back with only my underwear on thinking how the mistake could be. Think now I have the answer. You see, Mom, I write to quite a few so sometimes I may get things mixed up or repeat the same things over to one person. As I remember I was writing about some cards I had received from persons along with the one from you. Now, Mother, no matter what kind of card you send it will always be the best because it's from you. Here is where the mistake came in, maybe you read it wrong. I said Helen Ladd had sent me one not as nice as some as she has sent, also a few from women at the mill. Then I said Pauline sent me one but felt she could have picked a little better one or something to that effect. I don't know just how I wrote it but I'm sure I didn't mean anything about yours, Mom. If I made a mistake, Mom Dear, I'm sorry. Why don't you try to read that letter again if you have it? (Oh, she still had it. Uncle Charlie is talking about birthday cards and when I read it I thought, "This is not going to go over well with his mother", and I was right. In his August 16th letter (Post # 61) he wrote and I quote, "I got a couple pair of stockings from Pauline and also two handkerchiefs. Seems as you could have sent a little better card. Oh well, I didn't mind." It is possible Uncle Charlie meant to say [Seems as she could....referring back to to Pauline in the previous sentence.] but he didn't and knowing my grandmother as I did I knew she would say something to her son. I suspect Uncle Charlie meant to say "she" instead of "you" because he just didn't say things like that to his mother.)

I'm glad you saw Helen's mother. Was she glad to see you? She tries hard but it seems everything is against her. It goes from one thing to another. I really feel she thought a lot of me. She rode by the house one day and they waved to Dad but I guess he didn't know them. She wrote how nice the home looked with the front porch and all painted.

Oh, Ma, we are going to the Wisconsin Dells some day in the next week for a big air show. Gee, I bet that will be O.K. I'll try to send you something from there.

Didn't the reading come out plain on that picture. That one sure came out good. That one of me looks as if I didn't have very long legs. Ha Ha, maybe my pants were loaded.

What is the trouble, Mom, doesn't Eugene ever go down and see Grammy now? You wrote he was up to Dots.

When you're alone this winter, Mom, you can write to me. I sure look for your letters. Sometimes a fellow will pass and just for a joke will say "Writing to your sugar report" or something like that. I answer, "no" My Best Gal. She'll never let me down. Want to know her name? It's Mother."

I'd like to have seen Pauline when she got all worked up over those tin cans. I bet she did some talking. I hate to think she was dirty. Wish I had one like her to take care of. You know, Mother, sometimes I get homesick or lonesome for children and a home of my own. I don't know why it is. Once I dreamed of the right little girl for a wife, home etc. but now I try to forget it all.

I'm glad something has been done about what you wrote me. All I can write is It's about time. I told you how it was. I don't doubt Dad almost lost his dinner.

Please send me one of those pictures of me. I'll send the money when you do. Write to me when you send it and let me know how much it cost. Hope they come out good. I've got my Battery picture and will send it soon. I have a few more of the boys I want to write on the back. Send snaps any time you like. I can always return them and they never get crushed.

I'd like to see Helen but you give her a big kiss from me. Say Hello to Joe with a pat on the back. Everything will be O.K. I know.

Well, Mother, guess I'll have to close for to-night. It's warm and a little closer here to-night. Hope it will rain before morning. Haven't had it very hard to-day. Don't think I will to-morrow. I don't mind Ha Ha. Give my love to Dad. I know he enjoys my letters as well as you. I sent brother a card to-night.

Love,

Son Charles.

^^Aug 21 Gromyko named USSR-ambassador in Washington. Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko will become a Soviet Belarusian communist politician during the Cold War.