Letter or Postcard – Letter
Sender – Ralph Peterson
Recipient – Phyllis Peterson
Postmark Place – Red Bank, New Jersey
Postmark Date – 31 May 1943
Letter Date – 30 May 1943
Text:
My sweetest wife and baby,
How are you this nice Sunday afternoon? At least I hope it is as nice there as it is here – the first real nice Sunday since I have been here. No mail from you, but there is a reason for that. The reason is that they don’t pass out the mail on Sunday. Pretty good reason, don’t you think? Had a big parade today here in honor of Memorial Day. I was not in it but I was watching it and it sure was nice. There must of been a couple of thousand soldiers in it. Lots of flags and bands. Also some tanks and some airplanes. These planes were those big Flying Fortresses. Say, did I tell you about the air raid we had the other night? If I did I will tell you again. The lights went out as usual at ten, and about ten-thirty when we were all sound asleep the damned siren went off. We had to get up, put on our packs, gas masks, and leggings. This all had to be done in the dark, as it had to be dark all over. And to top all that off I am an air raid patrol and had to get out first and help load trucks and see that everybody got out. When we were all loaded the all clear sounded off, so we all went back to bed, a very tired bunch of guys. I only hope that it don’t happen very often. When we put the lights on after it was all over I found I had put my leggings on the wrong legs. I am going to a show tonight. It is supposed to be a good one. The name of it is “My Friend Flicka.” Roddy McDowall is starring in it. You remember him from “How Green Was My Valley.” It is all about a horse and a little boy from the west. Tomorrow is payday and I suppose you will be getting your check soon after I get mine. Let me know if you get any more this time. I want to know if you did get any more. I sure as the devil can use it, as I spent my last dime this morning. I bet you can use it, too. If you worked down at Chapman’s you wouldn’t have to wait until every month for your money. Then you would have some money all the time instead of having it all in a bunch. That is, if you worked down there. I’m afraid I can’t think of anything else to write about today, honey. Everything is quiet and peaceful here so I think I better close and go and eat supper, so until tomorrow night kisses and hugs to you, honey, and also to Bonny girl from Daddy.
PS – Gee whiz, honey, I miss you so damn much I can’t hardly wait until I come home to you again.
Notes: As mentioned in a previous post, Chapman’s was an area business back home.