April 11, 1943
Dear Mom and Dad,
I’m sorry not to have
written sooner, but this past week has been a most exhausting one. I’ll try to
let you in on the events beginning with last Saturday, a week ago. We had a
review, which is one of those things you see in the movies, where everyone is lined
up and the officers come by and size you up and down. It was a bitter cold day
and there was a sharp wind blowing off the water. The college campus is
opposite a huge reservoir, it looks like a lake it’s so large, well anyhow we
stood there facing that wind from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. We were all so frozen that
when the order came to march we thought our legs would break off at the ankles.
When we got back to quarters my hands were swollen to twice their size and were
the prettiest shade of blue. Then that afternoon we had liberty as you know.
The girls in my room had suffered so in that weather they stayed home the rest
of day. Lassie, the girl who is an artist, just cried hysterically when she got
home. She’s a very sensitive sort of girl and any hard-ships like that really
knock her out. I went out cause I thought we had been
stuck around here too long without any freedom. I told you how some of the
other girls in the apt. and I went and bummed around Radio City, St. Patrick’s
Cathedral, went through the dept. stores, had a good dinner and returned early.
Sunday, we had a very lovely church service which was broadcast over the radio.
I was hoping you were listening, but I guess not. Then in the afternoon I met
the girls. Kay Furey really is quite glamorous looking.
You know the one thing I noticed so much about them (the girls and Kay) they
had a decided accent, in fact they sounded like these New Yorkers that the
girls around here have been making fun of. I didn’t believe that I talked
differently when I went west, but I see now I probably did. I enjoyed seeing
them beyond words. Monday we had our 3rd typhoid shot which really
sort of got me this time. I think that was due to the fact that I was sort of
run down. That deal Saturday really fired me up with a bad cough and a head
cold which I can’t seem to get rid of. All week we have had a solid program of
lectures. They have called us together a number of times this week to give us
the good news about the program of the war. The officers really are excited about
it and so are the girls. It does make a spark of bright light come on the
horizon, doesn’t it? Thursday our platoon was put on special duty. To other
girls and me were detained to exchange linen in one of the apartment buildings.
We picked up the dirty linen and put down fresh, on three floors. It was quite
a hard, tiresome job, and the girls and I were quite willing to return to our
apts. at 5:30. Yesterday we again had an 8 hour liberty. It was a grand trip,
although it was a tough climb up the 2 floors of spiral staircases. We took
another tour of some of the fashionable department store and viewed the spring
styles. Then we had a delicious dinner at Schraft’s,
which I couldn’t taste because of my cold and returned home. By the way I
bought an evening paper which has some swell pictures
and an article about Helen Jacobs. I will send it to you as soon as I can. I
think I’ll send it 3rd class and roll it instead of bending it all
up. I’d like you to save the article for me as it’s something I’ll want to remember.
I don’t know whether you have been saving my letters or not but I wish you
would save those I wrote while in boot camp because I will enjoy reading them
later. Gosh, I nearly forgot yesterday morning we had another review and Mayor
La Guardia was guest of honor. He said it was “thrilling”. Well I must say we
do look pretty sharp in our uniforms. They say there are some pictures in
today’s newspaper which I will try to get and send you. By the way, Virginia
took some pictures of me last Sunday. I hope they turn out good. Ever since
I’ve been here I’ve just yearned for a camera there are
so many places I’d like to have pictures of, and also the girls and the
officers. This morning a lot of the girls were taking pictures of Miss Bosier and I was envious. In about 15 minutes we are going
to have a picture taken of our platoon and Miss Bosier
is going to pose with us, so I will get a picture of her after all. Did I tell
you we got her back as company commander as soon as we went of special detail. We were all so tickled. Yesterday she was so cute,
she was kidding us about our marching and said we always do so well when we
marched to mess, she thought she ought to put a lamb chop near the reviewing
stand so we would march better.
Just
returned from having our pictures taken. I think they
will be quite cute. We wore our white hats and gloves, but they would not let
Miss Bosier have hers taken with us. A couple of
other girls took pictures of all the girls in my apt. in a group so hope to get
some prints.
We are going out sometime
this week, still don’t know where, but they may not tell us until we get on the
train. We start wearing our white hats and gloves in another week. Wonder where
I will be then.
Sorry you have so much
trouble with Kippy. Dad mentioned something about
getting some horsemeat for him, was he successful?
How is rationing
coming? I feel almost guilty when I think of the civilians as we have great
bowlfuls of butter on our table, lots of meat, coffee, and sugar and plenty of
eggs. Any say have we had good apples since we’ve been here. I certainly do
enjoy them. I hope I can buy a big bagful before I leave.
Did my clothes arrive
and how much was the package. I will reimburse you. I like my permanent ok but
of course I haven’t had it set since I had my permanent. However it curls up
ok.
The pictures Helen sent
were taken on a girl’s camera over in her side of the building. They were all
right but I decided I didn’t care for any.
Well, Mommy,
congratulations on getting your cross, there’s always a satisfaction in wearing
something you’ve earned as I’ve found out. I’m very proud of you and don’t give
up the good work, mustn’t rest on your laurels you know.
As far as my money is
concerned I haven’t had enough to worry about so far. We received one $20.00
bill. Tomorrow we will get $120.00 of which I suppose they will take $100.00
for our uniforms, which will have us $20.00 again. We received one $100.00 bill
about 4 weeks ago and carried it about 6 feet to turn over to the tailors as
part payment on our uniforms. We really should keep part of this $100.00 as
reimbursement for our shoes, stockings, gloves, etc. but I doubt if they will
let us keep the money. I bought two more navy blue work shirts. They are $4.35
a piece, which is sort of high I think, as soon as we start wearing our white
toppers I’ll have to buy another one as they will soil quickly and cannot be
washed.
Dad, you asked if I had
gained any weight. I have a little, but don’t know exactly how much. However
Ruth seemed to think I looked heavier.
I think you had better
not send anymore letters to this address as it will take quite a while before
they forward them. I will send my new address as soon as I know. The girls seem
to think it will be Oklahoma. I will be disappointed if so but I guess I can
take it.
Well, looks like I’ve
run out of news again so will say so long for a while.
Hugs,
XXXXXXXXXX
Lorraine
P.S. Sure I read both
of your letters all right. My handwriting isn’t much to brag about either it’s
getting worse the more I write.
L.