Letter or Postcard – Letter
Sender – Ralph Peterson
Recipient – Phyllis Peterson
Postmark Place – St. Petersburg, Florida
Postmark Date – 23 April 1943
Letter Date – 22 April 1943
Text:
My dearest wife and baby,
Got your letter and the Argus from your mother today. They must have felt like writing, as they had a big paper. The biggest one in a long time. I am always like to get the paper from the hometown and see what’s going on, but the best part of the mail today, and always will be, was your letter. I am sorry that you thought I didn’t trust you, but when I seen that letter I just didn’t know what to make of it. But I won’t pop off so quick after this. Well I guess I will tell you what I did today. I got up at 5:30 this morning and didn’t do a damn thing all forenoon. I stood guard until four at night. I will now be on guard for the rest of the time I am here. I work four hours and I’m off eight, and every third day I have 24 hours off. I won’t have no drill field work, no KP, or no nothing. It is an easy job but it will only last until I get shipped. The best part of it is I don’t have KP. ‘Course the time off isn’t going to bother me, either. I can catch up on my letters and also some sleep. Maybe then I can write longer letters to you. My shift is from twelve noon until four, and eight hours off. Then from midnight until four in the morning. I have got my pass already that I can go out anytime when I am not on duty. I won’t use it, but they give us all one. It was kind of cool here this morning, but it warmed up during the day. It was way down to 50 this morning, and that is cool for down here. How are you getting along on the money you are getting? I was just wondering if it would be alright if I only sent five bucks home out of my own check this time. I need to buy a few things, and if it will be alright if I only sent that much let me know. I am glad that you and Bonny are getting out some now, as it will be good for you. By the way, has she got blonde hair yet? And send me some pictures as quick as you can, as I want to go to get a look at my daughter. You will have to wait just a minute as they are calling on me to report out to the hotel desk. I just got back from the desk and now instead of being a guard only I am a corporal of the guard. That isn’t any rating, but it will help. I have to wake the guards up and get them at their post and see that they do their job. Kind of a boss at that. I will send you a big picture of myself when I get paid next time. That is, if you care to have a picture of your handsome husband. I will trade you pictures. One of you and Bonny for one of me. Is that a deal, sweetheart? I think it is. It is now seven and I have five hours before I go on duty, so I think I will get some sleep. I will write more tomorrow, honey. Until then, all my love and kisses to my sweetest wife and baby from Daddy.
PS – Give my love to Dad and Mother. Night, my two babies. Pop
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