April 4 & 7, 1941

Camp Forrest, Tenn.

Friday April 4th, 1941

Dear Mary Rose:

"Jello" again from Camp "Mud" Forrest. Rain- Rain and more rain.  Mud- and water- water and mud- a pretty wet picture- do you get it?  It's a pretty tough job keeping equiptment clean not to speak of being polished.

The Easter leave is definately out in view of the fact that two day leaves are the limit.  You know how bad I felt when this bit of news was posted.  I really wanted to get home but there's nothing I can do so that's that.

Your golf game can certainly be improved, I'm sure.  You might insist that the club officials saw down a few trees and fill in the puddles.  This should very easily cut that 84 in half.

You're fortunate to be going plane riding and by the time you receive this letter it'll be all over and no doubt the thrill will have disappeared.  By the way you must tell me all about it.  Really....

You, no doubt, have read my letter to the office and I think you'll agree it was about time I did something along this line.  You might inform me as to how the letter was received by all.  Of course I didn't elaborate on any particular phase of the army and it probably is a good idea to let the boys in the office be drafted with their eyes closed.  Do you get it?  Army life in my estimation is far from being rosey and the boys out of it should appreciate their present surroundings as much as is possible.  I know they can't and I didn't realize how fortunate my setup was until I spent several days here.  Last night one of the boys posted a clipping from the Cincinnati Post on the bulletin board.  It stated that war is predicted in 60 day by Washington experts.  A very nice article which you might have read.  Of course we all hope and have been for a year anda half that it wouldn't come but a few newspaper items I've been able to read indicate that it is no longer an improbability.  I suppose Lindsay is all for it and is preparing to fill in the vacancies with bald headed men.

You may be interested to know that (H-MECZ) means horse mechanized.  Does this answer your question?  As you probably know, I've been writing to Pearl and she has asked the same question.  So I can't necessarily blame it on you for not being able to figure it out.

You will notice that all of my letters are written in the first person for the most part.  I'd like to find a way to avoid the pronoun "I" but under the circumstances it can't be avoided.

This letter has been done by flashlight and if a few words have been left out let me know I'll provide the key to any sentence.  Well good night and write real soon....please...

As Ever

Stan

P.S. Are you having any fun?    

Cincinnati, Ohio

April 7, 1941

Dear Stan:

Perhaps your theme song should be "Rain- rain go Away"- you know what I mean-

Lets drop the weather and hope it bounces back better and devote a few lines to your to your once "thought of" trip.  I am dreadfully sorry you can't make it- phooey on two day leaves- but that's that so what can one say?  I ask you.  I spect it was quite a big disappointment.  Does this two day leave mean you will never be able to come home or is it just a temporary order?  I hope so to the latter part of my previous pened thoughts and do meaned "pened".  [square drawn] (in case you are wondering this is a fence.)

Things are certainly zipping along- Madge was married last Sat. and Marry something or other who wears a knot on the backof her head is to be married this coming Saturday- You know her.  Clint Downs is leaving us for good- another Home Office picking- I am sorry to see him leave.  If you had been here when your letter arrived you would have had to take a dozen bows- so great was the ovation- and believe it or not I'm not kidding- you know me serious Mary- I was known as- No- no dowt I didn't get to read your letter through no fault of my own- it just wasn't there when I was- BUT I heard.  They tell me you fell twice- remember the third times a charm- In case you don't understand = I am talking about you and a horse.

Who was the pessimist who said we will be in war in sixty days.  Throw hom out.  You people just don't read the right papers- ours never said anything about the 60 day talk.  It must have been in the afternoon edition- We get the late edition Post.  No- I don't believe Lindsay would pick bald-headed men  he would probably rob the cradle If you don't believe me you should see it around here.

By this time you will probably have found what I intended to enclose.  I hope it isn't too small but from from what I hear I don't know where you could put a larger one- except at the head of your bunk and I'm afraid some official would object.

Yes I agree it was about time you did something along the line of sending a line to the office. Everybody was on pins and needles awaiting some word from Tenn. as Jack has kept us up to the minute on Navy news.  As a matter of  fact work goes in a rut when a letter arrives from either point and we all make a point of catching up on our news.  Please write them more often- they like it immensely- the same goes for your comrades.

Sincerely

Mary Rose

P.S.  I am sorry you can't make it.

Small Letter Enclosed:

Pardon the switch in stationary but I just had a brilliant idea- and they being few and far between I am voicing it here and now.

May I- if one is available have a picture of you doing anything from falling off a horse to being dressed up in your best bib and tucker.

Please.

Mary Rose