December 29, 1944

December 29, 1944

Pacific

Dear Mom & Dad –

Guess by now you realize all those fears you had about my welfare were groundless. Don’t ever take any stock in those Jap claims anyway – they’re always enlarging on the truth. If all the fantastic victories they claimed were true, actually were, we’d be losing the war over here. You know that’s not so.

At a later date I’ll tell you more about my Xmas of ’44, but for now let it suffice that it wasn’t exactly a total loss. We had a very nice Xmas dinner with turkey, dressing, cranberries, mashed spuds, olives, nuts, & mince pie a-la-mode. How does that sound to you folks?

I’m naturally eager to hear how your Christmas was at home – spose you had a white one as per usual. That’s the one thing you’ve got to have to make it real. I just can’t get in the spirit of things in this hot sweaty climate. We listened to the special 2 ½ hr. Command Performance, also to all the carol music. Such songs as White Xmas & Winter Wonderland really bring back some sweet memories.

The heat has been terrific these days. We have no way of telling just how hot it actually is, but when you sweat constantly, it’s not exactly cool. Bet I’d die if I were dumped in the middle of a Minn. snow storm right now. But I’d love it!

By the time you get this letter Virgy ought to be pretty close to her “time.” What does she want – male or fem? I hope it’s a boy cuz there aren’t very many in that family. You asked me to suggest some names. Tell her I like for a girl either Olga or Matilda or Abegail – for a boy Horatio, Rufus, Percy or Casper. Or maybe Ignatz. S’all I can think of right now.

It’s funny but I just can’t picture Elmer in the hospital. I’ve got to see it to believe it. I guess he’ll be OK tho now that he has a radio & a box of smokes beside him. He’ll no doubt enjoy the hospital the way I did both times I was in back in the States. It’s a wonderful spot once you’re well & able to enjoy it’s comforts.

We’re still playing lots of bridge – sometimes I think I’m learning, & othertimes when we bid game & make slam I begin to wonder. It’s a great game tho, & I’m going to enjoy taking you two on when I get back. You can teach me the finer points.

Are you kidding when you ask if I’ve worn my dress uniform much? It’s been packed away since leaving New Zealand. This climate here is definitely too hot for wools. Besides there’s nothing here worth dressing up for.

Sorry to hear all about Grandma’s little collapse in Dayton’s. They did take very good care of her however, a good thing it happened there & not on the street. Tell her she’d better take care of herself – it’s what she always used to preach to me.

Just got over a slight cold – the first I’ve had for over a year. My health has really been good all along so I guess the tropics agree with me.

I haven’t heard from any of the boys for months & they all owe me letters. Guess I’ll get a flood of letters one of these days. Then I’ll really be in the hole.

Dorothy wrote me telling about the latest antics of Nancy & Larry. Elaine wrote too. She certainly likes it there at Jordan’s “boilerfactory” as she calls it.

Well – it’s time to mail this so gotta say g’bye – will write again as soon as I can. – Hope you are well & happy – say hello to all the kin.

Love, Dorance