Enlisted Men Barracks
September
10, 1934
Dear
Mother,
Gee, this was a lucky night for me after chow. I got five letters and two
papers, two letters from you as you wrote I might have. I showed some
of the boys the butterfly and they said, "Boy you must have a
swell mother. She writes to you all the time. No wonder you're always
sweating out mail call."[Readers, the butterfly was still in the
letter when I opened to read it. The butterflies you see at the top
of this letter is the exact butterfly. I scanned it so you could see
it. My grandmother would make jewelry to sell. She would use old
glass lens and would put a butterfly and small flowers on the lens,
cover it and put some type of clasp so the ladies could wear them.
She caught her own butterflies and by placing them under a cover over
a solution they would just die and then she was able to use them. To
think this butterfly was in such great condition after 77 years is
remarkable. Uncle Charlie returned it to his mother and that is why
you see butterflies in the post.]
We
haven't had any rain to speak of but it has been cold here. To-day
was a little warmer but it is cold to-night. It is just like a night
back home when you expect a frost, clear with about 3/4 of a moon.
Mrs.
Babbs’ daughter must be swell if you says she's A-1. You know, Mom, I
can see why you always liked Mrs. Babbs. I can see how she must have
been a big help to you. Ha ha has she another daughter. Ha ha your
soldier son is just a wolf.
Oh
yes, I've heard all about Roy Jr. and the bear story. Not to scare you, Mom, but there is only one answer, it sure is a bear paw.
I
know Flavilla has it hard with the children, but she has done the best
she could in writing. It's harder for her than Waneta. I can remember
how she once would get my clothes ready when I was going out. It's
swell that Helen and Joe are making out o.k. I felt it would be
different after they were married.
You
have only two left now, Mom, but don't you feel good knowing you have
such good girls and I have such nice sisters?
If
the hens go on any more strikes tell them you'll draft them into the
army, ha ha.
Put
return in 7 days if not delivered on my picture when you send it.
Never mind the frame unless you want to. I mean to say don't send me
one. I suppose you'll get one for your picture.
Say,, Mom who is the big hog? I'm going to tell Dad on you. Guess I
told you Helen Ladd Ladd wrote me a nice little letter.
We
go into our O. D. Woolens to-morrow. [winter uniform] Wished I had
kept my belt. O. D. are easier to keep clean and look more dressier I
think. I'm sending all three suits of khaki to the laundry so I can
turn them in next week. I got a lot of new clothes today. Two new
pair of shoes.
Someday, Mother, I'll come home and keep you up until 2 or 3 o'clock in the
morning. I'll be a real Old Maid then. Maybe I'll have me a cat to
hold while I'm talking to you. ha, ha.
I
read in the papers Hoppie had a baby. Ma, how about some news, who's
next? Gee, I'm running out of news for to-night. I'll write again
soon.
Here
is your butterfly, why don't you put it in Believe It or Not,---- "A
butterfly went from Maine to Wisconsin and back. All within two
weeks. Fast don't you think?" Give Dad a pat on the back for me.
Tell brother I said "Hello." Good night folks.
Love
Charles
^^Sep 10 German troops occupy Rome.
 |
| Battle for Rome |
^^Sep 10 Italian
fleet anchors at Malta
 |
| Fleet at Malta |
^^Sep 10
Lieutenant-General Omar Bradley arrives in Prestwick/London
SOLDIER'S LIGHT
Amazing Tribute by 15 year old Rylee Preston
