07 June 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 339 % Postmaster, N.Y.

7 June, 1945      0820

Leipzig

Dearest darling Wilma –

We got by our 3 yr anniversary and one year D-Day anniversary without any trouble. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even have a drink. I somehow just didn’t feel like it. I swam most of the afternoon and in the evening we saw a movie “The Animal Kingdom”. It had been done some time ago. It was fair – that’s all. Tonight – a U.S.O. show hits town with “Junior Miss” and allegedly – the New York Cast – but ai hai mai doots.

Leipzig - 438th Swimming Pool - June 1945

How are you feeling, darling? I hope you’re taking care of yourself and that you’re over the greatest part of the shock you got at Florence’s death. How are the family – and Phil?

Some more rumors flying around – a couple fairly authentic it seems. Nothing about coming right home – but that’s O.K. for now, sweetheart. All the newer outfits here have been alerted they’ll get home first – but they’ll leave for the Pacific earlier. The more we stay here – the less the likelihood of having to go. I sure would love that September wedding – sweetheart I’m getting tired of living without you. How about a change? Love to the folks.

All my sincerest love,

Greg

P.S. I LOVE YOU

G.

* TIDBIT *

about Harry Truman's Diary


President Truman's Hand-written Diary Entry
7 June 1945     Page 1 of 7 pages

This diary entry comes from the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum's web site. It was described as "Longhand note of President Harry S. Truman, June 7, 1945, detailing Truman’s hope that the United States and U. S. S. R. can reach agreement on postwar issues. Papers of Harry S. Truman: President’s Secretary’s File". The transcription of all seven pages follows.

June 7, 1945

Looks like San Francisco would be a success yet. Uncle Joe agreed to accept an interpretation of the veto. He also agreed to reconsider the Polish question. We may get a peace yet. Hopkins has done a good job in Moscow.

Davies did a good one in Britain. It was a good thought when they were sent over.

Montana went haywire and elected a Republican Congressman and Wheeler went haywire in Italy on the Russians. Every time we get things going halfway right with the Soviets some smart aleck has to attack them. If it isn't Willie Hearst, it's Bertie McCormack or Burt Wheeler – or it is some other kind who wants to appease Germany but just can't see any good in Russia. I'm not afraid of Russia. They've always been our friends and I can't see any reason why they shouldn't always be. The only trouble is the Crazy American Communist. There is only one in a million of our population but they are loyal to Stalin and not to the American President. I'd like to send them to Russia. Uncle Joe would promptly send them to Siberia or a concentration camp I'm sure. But I can't do that and wouldn't if I could. Emma Goldman and William Z. Foster found by experience that the dictatorship of the proletariat is no different from the Czar or Hitler. There's no socialism in Russia. It's the hotbed of special privilege.

A common everyday citizen has about as much say about his government as a stock holder in the Standard Oil of New Jersey has about his company. But I don't care what they do. They evidently like their government or they wouldn't die for it. I like ours so let's get along.

You know Americans are funny birds. They are always sticking their noses into somebody's business which isn't any of theirs. We send missionaries and political propagandists to China, Turkey, India and everywhere to tell those people how to live. Most of 'em know as much or more than we do. Russia won't let 'em in. But when Russia puts out propaganda to help our parlor pinks – well that's bad – so we think. There is not any difference between the two approaches except one is “my” approach and the other is “yours.” Just a “moat and beam” affair.

The United States was created by the boys and girls who couldn't get along at home. So called Puritans who weren't by any manner of means pure came to Mass[achusetts] to try out their own witch burning theories. Roger Williams couldn't stand 'em any better than they could stand England under the Stuarts. Most every colony on the East Coast was founded for about the same reason by folks who couldn't get along at home. But by amalgamation we've made a very good country and a great nation with a reasonably good government. I want to maintain it and shall do all I can in spite of the hyphenates and crackpots.

I've no more use for Polish-Americans, Irish-Americans, Swedish-Americans or any other sort of hyphenate than I have for Communist Americans. They all have some other loyalty than the one they should have. Maybe the old melting pot will take care of it. I hope so.

By the way, the expression "moat and beam" affair refers to a Christian parable. It is also known as "the pot calling the kettle black".