I am sorry I haven't written more on this series.  The holidays have just kept me too busy.

I hope everyone had a very blessed holiday.  I know we did!

So, on with the series.

February 21, 1943:

Dear Mom and all:

Here it is Sunday and I haven't got any thing to do except write you.  I don't know whether you all miss me or not, but I really miss you all.  It seems so gloomy here because I haven't heard from anyone.  It's just slave, slave slave here, but I love it.

Oh yes.  I'm eligible for cadet or officers training because I made 133 on my general classification test and only needed to make 100 for cadet and 110 for Officers candidate school.

The food tastes a little better now.  At first it was terrible but since I've become used to it, it's all right.  They really give you a lot of it too.  Almost too much.

I heard that they have a place to take photos here on the post.  If it's true, I may have some made.  Oh yes.  When and if you send me any money, use money orders......

Gotta close now and go over to the PX and get an indelible pencil to use in marking my clothes.  It seems that there are some thieves here and so we have to mark them with our last initial and last four numbers of serial number....

Give each one a piece of my love and keep a great big share for yourself and above all "Keep that chin up and face it with all your courage."

Love as ever from your son in the service,  Peegie

I guess the above letter indicates that my Grandma, as with most moms of service men, was having a hard time thinking of her son going to war.  And, as with most GI's, they try to encourage their family members.

February 22, 1943:

Dear Mom:

Why don't you write?  I haven't heard from you or anyone and it certainly makes me feel bad.  No mail for me, but everyone else from <hometown> has received at least one and some 4 or 5 letters.  So much for the sermon, now for the latest news.

We went to the show yesterday and later to the post service clubhouse.  Had a swell time.  We had fried chicken yesterday.  It was only fair compared to yours.    Note:  my Grandma made the BEST fried chicken in the world...so I know what he meant.

We took several tests today which will determine what school we'll attend.  It'll just be my luck to have to stay in this hell-hole place.  I believe I passed them all but on one I just barely did.

A bunch of new men just came in, but that's nothing new here.  Some have come from <hometown>.  I've met several old friends since I got here.

I heard a nine year old boy play the trumpet and boy was he good.  He could imitate all the big time trumpet blowers.  Then a small girl sang acapella blues songs in a surprisingly low voice.  Pretty good program.

Remember to write and send those hangers and Keep me happy.

Love as ever, Peegie

I loved when I read the part "Had a swell time".  What a glimpse into the vernacular of the day.  I also thought it was interesting to read about the entertainment Peegie enjoyed.

Wednesday, 1943 (letter is postmarked Feb. 24, 1943)

Dear Mother and all:

Outside of a few pains here and there,  I'm getting along swell.  I say pains because part of my squadron GI'd (mopped) 5 barracks and then marched back double time to chow....

This is my sixth day here and as yet I haven't had a letter from anyone.  If people don't write me, I ain't going to write them.  Yesterday one boy got 4 letters.  Sure gives you a funny feeling not to get any mail at mail call.

How's my dog??  If you don't keep him until I get back I'll murder you.  I really miss him.  Sure wish I could have him with me but it is prohibited.

How are all the neighbors?  Fine I hope.  Give 'em my regards.  Oh yes.  I haven't seen a decent paper since I got here.  Why don't you mail me a Phoenix every day?  Nothing in the paper line here except the Fort Worth Times. 

Also, hurry up with those hangers.  My clothes are getting mussed up in those barracks bags.  Take 'em from my old "civies" if necessary.  Say did you ever receive my clothes from Ft. Sill?  I just wondered.  One boy said his didn't get home for 6 weeks.

They have a swell day room here.  Coke machines, telephones to use, magazines, papers, books, places to write letters (I'm writing this one in the day room now); it is also much quieter than the barracks where the CQ harrangues you for one thing or another.

Eugene and I went to the show yesterday evening at eight.  We saw "Keeper of the Flame" with Tracy and Hepburn.  It was really good.  We plan to see "Reville with Beverly" Friday or whenever we can get free from evening lectures.

We do a lot of marching here.  I can keep in step, do about face, left face, right face, and all the rest except for the flanks movements.  I know how to do them, but never quite get them right.

Take good care of yourselves and above load the mail trains with mail (I expect at least one a day from you).

Lovingly, your son, Peegie

I would LOVE to see if I could get my hands on those movies that Uncle Peegie mentioned just to be able to watch them and enjoy them like he did.  I love Tracy and Hepburn anyway and probably have seen the movie he mentions of theirs, but would like to watch it again with "new eyes" with Peegie in mind.

Hugs to you all and I hope you enjoy these letters.

BBB

Peegie's earliest letters were sent from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, the reception center where he was inducted into basic training.

2/13/1943:

Dear Mother and family:

I sure wish you could see me in my uniform and GI haircut.  Got my duffel and barracks bag and had to carry it all of two blocks and was that bag heavy, especially when you are wearing long woolens and carrying an overcoat and your civies.  We took three shots today and boy did they make my arms sore?  I'll say!!!!!!!

.....When I get to my permanent station, I'll need a sewing kit, a shoe shine kit and a few bucks.  Also I want my razor sent.

    Gotta close for now,  Love to all,  Peegie

2/15/1943:

Dear Mother and family:

Nothing much  new here.  Just took some tests today......Also signed up for $10,000 of insurance which will pay you $53 a month for life in case I'm knocked off.

I guess I'm the champion letter writer of the reception center.  This is # nine in 3 days and I've still more to write.

Yesterday a bunch were caught gambling by a sarge.  He took their names and said he'd give'm 5 days of KP and when he got out of sight tore up the list and laughed long and loud.

     Love to all and my regards to all friends,    Peegie

2/18/1943:

Dear Mother and all:

Haven't heard from you at all.  Not a single word.  Got orders to ship out tomorrow for God only knows where.....

Worked in the records office today.  Made out Service Record Books in the morning and filed them in the afternoon.  It was a pretty easy job.

Don't write until you hear from me at my permanent post.

Love to all, Peegie

By the next letter Peegie had been shipped to Sheppard Field, Texas.

Dear Mom and all:

Surprise.  I'm in the AIRCORPS now here at Sheppard Field, Texas.  Got here yesterday and took a physical, got some bedding, made my bed up and slept like a log.....

You can write me now and by all means please send me some coat hangers because I sure can use them.  You can't get any here.

Haven't heard from anyone at all.  Have got to write letters in the evening after Retreat.  Tonite we GI the barracks and that means I must hurry and close.

Tell everyone hello and to write as it sure is lonesome here.

Love to all,  Peegie

It seems that perhaps communications from new soldiers don't change much over the years.  The longing for news from home, for basic needs of toiletries and such, are common to most soldiers' letters, I would imagine.

So those are the letters for this little post.  I hope you enjoyed the beginnings of a glimpse into the life of Uncle Peegie, the WWII soldier.

I hope everyone is having a great week! 

Hugs!

BBB

Like most young men in the early 1940's, my uncle entered into the service of our great country to support the war effort.  For purposes of this series, we shall call my uncle "Peegie", his nickname.  The series of letters begin soon after Peegie's induction into the military in February of 1943.   They continue through all of his training and up until the time he shipped to active duty.  The final letters he wrote were received by my Grandmother in May of 1944.  As I have read the letters, I found it interesting to read about his training, his off duty hours and activities, gifts he purchased, movies he went to see, music which was popular at the time, and even meals he had.  As with most GI's, Peegie expressed many times his loneliness, his desire to get lots of letters, his love for his family and friends.  These are recurrent themes in his letters.

I've been thinking a lot about these letters since I found them.  Here's the thing.  I know that in this electronic age, we can instantly communicate with anyone, pretty much anywhere in the world.  We are lovers of getting things instantly, the very minute we want them.  There is a lot to be said for that.  And really, but for this ability to communicate with people all over the world, I would never have gotten to know ANY of you.  But the thing about these letters is.....they are something TANGIBLE that I can hold in my hands that were a part of my Uncle Peegie.  I can only imagine how wonderful it felt for my Grandmother to be able to get these letters, read them, touch them and hold them in her hands, KNOWING that Uncle Peegie had written them.  That he had TOUCHED them.  And my Uncle could not have known when he wrote these letters back in 1943-44 that in the year of 2008, they would be held in MY hands.  That they would be cherished and bring ALL sorts of thoughts and feelings to me.  These letters of my uncle's are my tangible treasure.  I am touching the very papers he touched, that my Grandmother touched, and that, knowing my Grandmother, probably everyone in the family and all her friends touched as she passed them around so everyone could read Peegie's words.  Even though we can communicate instantly today and that's a marvel in itself, I wonder if today's e-mail communications can evoke such strong feelings of connection.  Perhaps they do.  I can only speak to these letters and how they have made me feel.

To be continued.....

BBB

As I told you previously, while I have been sick, I sat and read through letters that were written to my Grandmother.  I did not realize that my Momma had these letters or I would have begged them from her a long time ago.  After reading them I have questions that will probably go unanswered.  To begin this series let me tell you a bit about my Grandmother.  She was a tall, slender, beautiful woman.  She was a very talented piano player, a marvelous cook and a wonderful mother.  My Grandmother was the mother of five children, two sons, and three daughters, the next youngest of them was my Momma.  Grandma was one of the only people I ever knew who tatted her own lace.  She also embroidered beautifully (and taught me how to do so).  When we were growing up, we always had pillow cases which had been embroidered by her that were edged in the handmade lace.  The other thing that she always made us every year at Christmas was a hand made flannel night gown.  Those also always had her special hand made lace edging the necks and sleeves. 

My Grandma and Grandpa lived through and raised a family during the great depression.  Times were difficult.  By the time I came along, my Grandpa had retired and they were living at one of our state parks in a trailer (along with a number of other retirees).  Most every weekend would find my parents loading us kids in the car and heading to their home to spend the weekend.  There was a wonderful playground just down the hill from their trailer.  There was a great lake for fishing and swimming.  There were marvelous fish fries that all the neighbors pitched in for.  All week, the retirees who lived there on the lake would fish.  On the weekends they fried up all the fish for the big fry.  Everyone brought side dishes and we ate till we about popped.  It was a wonderful, idyllic time in my young life.

My Grandpa passed away when I was 13 years old.  My Grandma was in her early 70's.  She grieved for a time, then went on with her life.  It was pretty disheartening for a young teenage girl (i.e. ME), when the Grandma has more boyfriends!!  Grandma dated many nice men.  Then, she met a very special man and she married him.  She was 74 at the time they married.  They were together until her death at age 90 in 1988.  Grandma and "J" had a true love and devotion to each other even though they had both been happily married before and lost their respective first spouses.  It was so heartwarming to watch them in their waning years.  They always had to be holding each other's hands.  Just touching.  It was the absolute sweetest thing to behold such a blessed love that late in life.

I will say now that the letters I read were written in 1943 and early 1944.  My Grandma was busy at that time with my Momma and my aunt (they were the youngest), who were still at home.  During the time these letters were written, my Momma met and married my Daddy and moved from my grandparents home and since my Daddy went off to war shortly after their marriage, my Momma lived with my Daddy's parents.  But that might be another story for another time.  I am just trying to give you the setting and background.  My Momma's two oldest siblings (a brother and a sister) were married and out on their own.  Her other brother was a handsome, strapping, young single man.  That young man is the author of the letters.

to be continued.....

BBB

What can I say?  My blog friends ALWAYS make me feel better, and some of you (cough, cough, Tricia, cough cough) make me laugh.  All of you made a great point that this is my blog, about my life.  Right now, my life is what it is, and that includes my health struggles.  I AM going to get better and enjoy this holiday.  I have my mind made up and I WILL do it!!

One of the things I did while I was laying in bed sick, was take the time to go through some very precious things I got when we went through my Momma's things.  What did I go through?  A huge packet of letters that were written to my grandmother (my Momma's mother).  I think that I am going to write a few posts about those letters and the man who wrote them.  I will be working on those and hopefully it is something you all will enjoy.

I'm not going to give you much info until I start the posts, but I will say this.  I wish I had known about those letters YEARS AGO.  They have left me with SO many questions.  And, sadly, almost ALL the people who could answer those questions are no longer with us.  I am going to be asking my Daddy what he may know about the letters and the man who wrote them.

Well, for now, I am going to rest a little bit.  I REALLY have to go back to work tomorrow.  I just cannot afford to take off any more time to be sick.  After my rest, I may start a little writing for here.

Thanks for giving me your perspectives on this blogging thing we do.  I have made some truly wonderful friends and I am MOST thankful for each of you.

Hugs to you all!

BBB

Yes friends.  I am struggling here.  I am so sad that several of my best blog buds are leaving spaces.  I know that Spaces has made many changes and not everyone is happy with them.  I will follow my friends on their new blogs because that is what friends do.

I am struggling with MY blogging.  When I started the blog I wanted to give a real glimpse into the life of a fifty-something person.  I am realizing that here lately, the only thing I have had to blog about has been my health issues.  I read many many different blogs.  Each one brings something different.  Some are just hilariously funny.  I am NOT a funny person.  I am more the "straight man" type of person.  My blogging is not among those amusing works I read.  Some bloggers blog about their friends and co-workers.  I work by myself, and while I do spend time with some of my co-workers, I do not feel that it is fair for me to blog about my feelings and thoughts about my co-workers.  My thoughts about them are private and shared only with my hubby from time to time.  I am not the type of person to rant about them or tell amusing stories about their lives.  I just can't do that.

Many bloggers use their real names and tell pretty much everything about their lives.  I do not and don't know if I will ever be comfortable with very many people knowing who I really am.  There are a precious few of you with whom I have trusted that information. 

There are those who use their blogs to rant about their feelings on various subjects.  I have done a little of that here, but not a whole lot.

So, I am examining whether or not anyone is even interested in what I do write about.  I haven't blogged in a few days because I am sick, yet again, and I feel you all must be tired of hearing about it.  I know I am sure tired of it.  Bone weary of it actually.  I like to blog about happier things because I am a positive person.  It just hasn't been in the cards to write about fun happy things lately, and for that I apologize. 

I wonder if I should follow my blog buds to another forum or not.  Should I even continue my blog?  These are just questions running through my mind.

What say you?  Anyone have an opinion on this?

Thanks for hanging with me and being my friends!  I do so appreciate it!

Hugs!

BBB