Jan. 19, 1944

Dear Maggie,

Sure was wonderful hearing from you, and my laxity in answering is due to being on nights and accomplishing very little in the line of writing, but between this primi’s pains I’ll dash off a “quickie” so we can keep this correspondence going.

I’ve received many unexpected letters since I’ve been here- one from Lummie and Joanne Walters, informing me that they are close- Joanne at Fort Sill 40 miles by, and Lumbreezer at Tinker Field, 150 miles- sp we planned a meeting as soon as I came off nights, at Fort Sill. Well, this is the Army so I received a letter today from Joanne and she has received shipping orders for Friday so it’s all off now, darn!

Have you heard any St. Vincent’s news lately? Bernie Botech married Campbell quite some months ago-Anne Krupp is married. Likewise, the following have added Mrs. To a new name: Snyder, Riegir, Anderson, Miltz, Hastings, and Hill- Hill married Chester, the crippled orderly, and is expecting this Spring. It was Dr. Whitten for Snyder- Rog in Jackson for Mimi, and the others I don’t know- so you see our class mates have all followed suit- do I feel ancient or do I feel ancient.

My Ron thought he would get home soon, but changed plans until the duration so I’ll just wait.

Yes, I did want to be an Army Nurse, and I’ve never been so happy in my whole life- I never dreamed it would be so wonderful, honey. I’ve had the time of my life, though I least expected to land in an O.B. Ward in the Army and deliver babies. It’s been a keen experience though and I’ve been on my own on nights. The other night I did a complete delivery before the Drs. Arrived- more fun! A primi who went fast. I love it though, so no kicks.

The biggest thrill of my life is flying, and I do loads of it. I’m being very spoiled here at Sheppard cause I’ve met some pilots who are grand and I practically live in the air when I’m off duty. This one Lt. Viron Kersch is scads of fun and I find myself dating him quite steadily, cause he strictly isn’t a wolf and doesn’t go in for “muggin” I guess you’d say, frankly. We have a gay time. Since I’ve been on nights I’ve gone on all his brass country flights and it’s been super, really. Last Sunday we went to Narman, Oklahoma, landed at a Naval Air Base, and were escorted about the field, which was grand. Then to town where we met a friend of his who took us on a tour around the University of Oklahoma, then to dinner and back to Sheppard to be on duty at 7:00, ending a perfect sleepless day. This Sunday we are going to Tulsah, Oklahoma which should prove fun. I sure do love it, and get so excited. I’ve been to “Fernie” ever since I came in, a girl from Minn. and we stick together like glue, almost nearly. We both have Sheppard, and I guess we are the only 2 out of 200 nurses who do, but we just gad all over the country. In fact, I haven’t even minded the barren plains of Texas.

Our mam is fussin’ so best I check her in a jiff.

Back again- 3 fingers, so I can ramble on a little more. ‘Nuff of my social life- did I tell you about the field as a whole? It’s a huge place and thought I don’t get around more than the hospital usually, it’s a fine set-up. The hospital is 2000 beds and spread all over the place. I’ve been only in Maternity so I know very little concerning Wards other than 1245. Our O.B. set-up is very similar to S.V.H. but not as extensive, naturally. Our pre hypnotics are Nembutal and Scapolamine p.r.n., and our Ergotrate is given I.V. instead of B.M. post delivery of placenta, which is much more effective. We lose very few babies, and only 1 mom has been taken since they started, but I’ve seen a lot of disheartening sights as there always are.

Goodness me, history repeats itself and so does Las- I had forgotten that I told you about the latest St. Vincent weddings and stuff. Incidentally though, Flory broke off her engagement to Bob and is engaged to the Jack Roggie- the first one- sorta’ like my affairs, huh? Golly, I’ve never given Louie a thought since I’ve been working for Uncle Sam. In fact, before I left I was dating a Bob Crawford, whom we used to double with and he made me realize Louie just wasn’t the one- it always works out for the best.

Texas isn’t much to talk about, but goodness knows I don’t mind a bit. I really don’t know just how long I’ll be here cause we have had our P.O.G. physicals, and classes for preparation- go through the gas chambers next week, so it’s a matter of time only, and they are skipping fast, I’m hoping it won’t be long, cause to reach my goal I want to go over to the rest of the gang of Yankees- then I’ll be completely satisfied I’m sure.

Golly, how are your tympanic membranes by now? Not ruptured I hope, but send me the bill if you have to see a Dr. after listening to such chatter- same Las, aren’t I? Well, not exactly, cause I was drinking the last time Bill, and I doubled with you and Pres, huh? Well, I haven’t for months, but a bunch of the flight officers and pilots are having a big party for us when we come off nights so I s’pose I’ll get stinkin’ fallin’ down drunk on 2 beers. So Bill remarried- I’m kinda glad, but wish he would settle down one of these days- he’s really a swell fella’, as I always thought.

Your life with Pres sure has been a swirl of fun and stuff, huh? I’m so happy for you and hope he doesn’t go before the blessed event. You lucky people. Really, I’m just a bit envious, cause having cared for babies so long I’m dying to have one to call my very own. I have a beautiful pin-up man- my dream child, a blonde, blue eyed, curtly headed baby. Oh joy! I wish I could take care of you. Really hon, you should have 6 now, cause Army babies are so inexpensive- here, anyhow, they are only $20- 6 for $120- wow, what a bargain.

Is it a boy or girl? By now it should be one or the other so let me know pronto. I gotta go now cause it’s 1:40 and time for 2:00 A.M. feeding so I’ll be back again and here is your long letter- betcha, you’re sorry you asked for one now.

Regards to Pres and the best of luck and congratulations-

Write soon-

Heaps of Love,

Marian