12 Sep Move to Holland, Feb 12 & 13, 1945
Dad’s been transferred again, this time to Holland! And he seems quite happy about this, as he’s in on the ground floor of a new office and appears to be setting things up and likes the people there. This first letter really shows more emotion then others and echoes Mary’s feelings that sometimes “I can’t stand anymore….and then I keep on going”.
12 Feb 1945 V-Mail (typed)
DEAREST MARY, TWO ESPECIALLY WELCOME LETTERS YESTERDAY!! THE ONE WITH THE PICTURE OF KAREN (OH, THAT KID!! IF SHE ISN’T A HONEY I NEVER SAW ONE! WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPRESSION! I HAVE IT UNDER MY DESK TOP GLASS, LOOK AT IT AND BUST OUT LAUGHING, BUT WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE BIG EARS, MISS K? AND BY THE WAY, DOES SHE STILL HAVE THOSE BIG FLAT FEET?) AND FEB 26. SEEMS AS THOUGH ALl I EVER WRITE TO YOU AND DAD IS, “DAMMIT, TAKE IT EASY!” SOUNDS AS THOUGH yOU ARE DOING A SWELL JOB OF PAINTING UP THE HOUSE, BUT CRIPES, YOU ALSO GOT TO REST ONCE IN A WHILE, AIN’T IT? YES, DARLING, I CAN TELL WHEN YOU FEEL BLUE, AND I KNOW HOW THE FEELING IS A STRANGE THING THE WAY IT HITS YOU AT ODD TIMES, FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN SO GOSH DARN BUSY THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO THINK MUCH. BUT THE TIMES WHEN I THINK TO MYSELF “THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, I CAN’T STAND ANY MORE” COME INCREASINGLY MORE OFTEN … AND THEN I KEEP ON GOING! SOMETIMES I’M WORKING LIKE CRAZY WITH A DOZEN “IMMEDIATE ACTION” THINGS STREWN ABOUT ON MY DESK THAT I’M TRYING TO GET DONE, WHEN SOMEONE WILL COME UP WITH THREE MORE TO HANDLE “INSTANTLY” …. AND I QUIETLY GET UP AND GO OUTSIDE AND SMOKE A CIGARETTE!!! ONE KID HAS A VERY APROPOS SIGN ON HIS DESK — “WE CAN DO THE DIFFICULT IMMEDIATELY BUT THE IMPOSSIBLE WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME!” BUT THEN I THINK OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO ME AND LAUGH AND THINK, WHAT THE HELL, IT’LL MAKE A GOOD STORY OVER A BEER SOMEDAY! BUT, GOLLY I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU, HONEY!! GIVE KAREN A HELL OF A BIG HUG FOR ME — AND HERE’S ONE FOR YOU, MY DARLING!!!!!!! PAPPY
13 FEB 1945 V-Mail
Holland
Hello, Cutie – You should notice 2 things (arrows pointing to date and word “Holland”) new. Was transferred again – and this should be the best break I’ve had in the Army. This Gp (“Group” in this case, is the administrative step between Army & Battalions.) is just being activated, which is always a break for the first men in it – for which I’m one. There will be about 35 men when we are completely organized. Right now, of course, everything is pretty much of a mess, with practically nothing to work with, and thousands of trivial details to be handled, but what I’ve seen of the off. and men since this morning when I arrived, I’m sure that I’m going to like it here. We’re set up in a swell bldg. – clean, light and roomy. I’m running the message center, and there is a chance for a very good break for me. More later – but needless to say, I’m quite pleased to be here.
Your two “sick ltrs” (Jan 22 & 26) arrived yesterday, and it was the first I knew that you were really sick with a fever and home in bed. Poor lil kid. But I’m glad both you and Karen are better now. You simply must take it easier honey. Dammit, you’re just like Dad. He’s been doing two jobs again and heard from Rene that he was in the hospital again. Now you take it easy!! And get more sleep. (Pfc Neibauer speaks!!) Cause I love ya, and when I get home you be blooming!
Pappy
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