February 19, 1944

Feb. 19, 1944

S.W. Pacific

Dear Mom & Dad: -

I realize I haven’t written for about two weeks but I have been very busy. I’ve been moving around a bit too, so things have been very unsettled. From now on, for a few weeks, you can expect mail from me to be rather unstable & irregular – of course I’ll write whenever the opportunity arises.

Mail coming this way has been very sparse lately too – altho yours are still coming thru regularly. Your last letter was dated Jan. 30th. It was the one telling about the death of Grampa Alquist – can’t help but think it was a blessing because he was so sick when he passed away.

I suppose by the time you get this letter – Dot will be well on the way towards bringing a new addition into the Jordan clan. So you’re going down to Austin to help out by taking care of Nancy. Well if she’s as much of a little lady as I hear, you should have a lot of fun & not too much trouble.

Did you get the $60 money order I sent in my Feb. 6th letter – spose so? Certainly do appreciate those financial reports you send me now & then – makes very interesting reading.

Have just recently heard from Rolie, Art, Lee, & Roge Loper. Art is somewhere in Italy in one of the larger cities there. He is now a Sgt. & expecting to be a Staff Sgt. soon. He says he’s now living with all modern conveniences & a good solid roof over his head for a change.

Rolie is still in S.A. somewhere & living the life of Riley. After working hours he keeps busy by playing basketball three times a week & by sailing the other nights. He & a bunch of buddies got together & bought a sail boat to mess around with.

Lee & Roge are still in the same spot & working hard. Lee has been playing a lot of tennis of late & Roge has done quite a lot of swimming. “I can tell you much more about these two soldiers in a later letter.” After I’ve talked to them.

Thanks for the valentine – very nice. I also got one from Marion Sneen, whom, incidently has been writing me much more frequently than little Nancy in San. Fran. The last time I heard from Nancy she was helping out in the Stage Door Canteen. I figure maybe some Marine, Sailor or G.I. gave her a “snow-job” that was better than mine & she’s forgotten all about me.

Last weekend Gene & I played a round of golf here at one of the nicest courses. Neither of us played very well but we surely enjoyed it. We had caddies too – are they ever cheap down here – only 2 shillings a round or about 32¢ in American money. We expect to play again this Sunday.

Poor Gene Eckroth – he’s really in bad shape now. He’s kinda falling for one of the Langridge sisters who we’ve been playing tennis & golf with. Of course he doesn’t want that to happen, because he realizes nothing can come of it. No – I’m not the least bit interested in the other sister. She’s a sweet girl & all that, but that’s as far as it goes – purely a platonic friendship or sumpin. I don’t care to have a broken heart when I leave here – that’s too rough on a guy.

By the way that little announcement of services for Grampa A. was certainly very nice wasn’t it. I’ll bet it was a beautiful funeral. Nice that you got a chance to see all the relatives on that side of the family once again. You certainly had a lot of news about all the cousins.

I’m afraid I have not the slightest idea of what the combination is on that lock. Gee you must think I’m a quiz kid or something! After all I’ve been thru in these last three years it’s a wonder I remember our home telephone number (Dr. 6528). Why don’t you have the thing snipped off – it’s no good anyway.

Well, I’ll say so long for now & expect to write again in the next couple o days to make up for the lapse. Hope you didn’t worry. G’by now.

Love, Dorance