May 2, 1943, Sunday Nite 8:30
Camp Maxey, Texas
Dear Elaine,
The first Sunday of May and it sure is some different from May back home. They had a little May altar trimmed in blue and white paper with a few flowers and vigil lights in front of it in church this morning. It certainly was pretty but it was about the only thing here that could remind a fellow of May back home. The rifle and mess kit inspection didn’t amount to anything today. We just laid them on our bed and they came around, looked at them, and it was all over. The Fred Allen Show just stopped its program to announce the 15 day truce in the coal strike. Boy, if those fellows could hear the soldiers around here cuss them they’d sure feel plenty small. Every time they’ve announced something about the strike, somebody cuts loose with what they think of the strikers when soldier boys are dying over across the pond for $50 per month. I slept about four hours this afternoon trying to get rid of my cough and cold. I’ve been told to report to the 1st sergeant tomorrow morn about taking my air corps exam tomorrow nite so I want to be in tip top shape when I do. Here’s a pretty good one. A fellow just came back from Hugo and said they’ve sold every bit of beer they had in town so the fellows sure must be spending the money. I imagine there’ll be some heavy heads around camp tomorrow.
The president is talking now, I wonder if you are listening to him. I hope your mother feels better tonite than she did last week at this time. I remember her in all my prayers. Next Sunday I’m going to offer my Mass and Communion for your mom and mine. I want to get two Mother’s Day cards to send to them and a birthday card for Joyce. They had quite a few at the PX but none that I liked. Unless I can find a card I like I just don’t like to send them. Some cards express the thoughts just like a fellow wants to say them and that’s the kind I like. Roosevelt just finished his talk. The fellows have been coming in and they’ve just sat down and listened to it and we all think it was swell.
Goodnite, Sweetheart. I love you with all my heart and hope that soon we can be back together again. It sure makes a person feel good to hear good war news, but these strikes and things make a person wonder what the world is going to be like when it’s all over. We’ll just have to pray that God will make it a better world. No matter how tough it may be I’m sure we’ll both be happy if they’ll just let us be together for the rest of time. I’ve heard the song “Harbor of Dreamboats” a couple more times tonite. It sure is pretty isn’t it?
Forever yours, Bud