10 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: Wilma wrote the following on this letter:]

Called Weds nite from camp – couldn’t say much. Called again Thurs. from N.Y. – told me all. Made plans for Sat. in N.Y. together. Called Fri. and all off.
Sat. got 1st letter. Got 3 today – Monday, Nov. 15.

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916

Nov. 10, 1943    1650

Dearest Sweetheart –

It’s late afternoon, the sort of gloomy part of the day – and I guess I’m kind of blue. It’s probably really lonesomeness that I’m experiencing. It seems like ages since we’ve been in contact with each other, darling and it’s awful. But I can’t do a thing about it yet.

I haven’t received any mail from you yet, dear – but I guess I should by tomorrow. I hope so anyway, and I also hope you’ve heard from me by now, Sweetheart.

The routine here has been very dull, medically, although the boys in the line are hopping around all day.

Yesterday I ran into a dentist from Salem. He’s an older man and part of the station complement. He’ll undoubtedly write some of our mutual friends, which means that I’ll have to start writing too. I just finished writing Mrs. K., the elder – and I told her all about us, darling, and our plans for after the war. She was always interested in my getting married and went to the trouble of having me meet several girls. Why she never got hold of you, dear, I don’t know. But she’ll surely be glad to hear about it, I know.

I haven’t heard from my folks yet, either, but I’ve been writing them whenever I’ve written you darling. Gosh. I haven’t really got started yet – and I can’t wait for the war to get over with. I can see now, dear, that it will take a lot of strength and I just trust that God will give us just that. I love you as I’ve never loved anyone and I don’t want to lose you ever, dear. And I’m not going to, either – you can be sure of that!

Tonight Charlie and I have to do some foot inspections and if we get thru in decent time – we’ll mosey over to the Officers’ Club which is just a little way down the line from here. We’re just anxious to see what it’s like. But we’ve really tried to catch up with the sleep we missed the past week.

Sweetheart – that’s all for now and I do hope I can call you soon. Be patient, dear – and know always that I’m constantly thinking of you and our future together.

So long for now, darling – and

All my love

Greg.

09 November, 1943 (2nd letter)

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Nov 9, 1943    2100

Dear Sweetheart –

Well – I couldn’t call you, again, this evening, dear, and I missed it terribly. I was all over the place looking for a loop-hole – but in the end, it just couldn’t be done. I did manage to mail a couple of letters, darling, and if they weren’t stopped by a base censor, you should have heard from me by now. The name appearing in the lower left corner of the envelope certifies that I have watched what I was writing – or something to that effect, dear.

I’m in the officers’ quarters now, darling. Charlie and I have a room to ourselves, but dammit, it hasn’t got any window seats. As a matter of fact, dear – it hasn’t even got a door, – just a doorway. Yet – it has something on a tent. I’m in pajamas right now, and have just finished scanning the paper I bought this morning – but hell – no Smilin’ Jack!

We have a censorship lecture coming up at 2200 – for officers, and then darling I’ll find out if what I’m writing you is allowed or not. The lecture is being held in our quarters – so I won’t have to re-dress.

I still don’t know, dear, when I’m going to be off next – but it looks as if I won’t be able to say ‘hello’ until then. I’m hoping I hear from you darling by tomorrow. This is about the longest stretch that I haven’t heard from you, dear, and I miss it. A letter from you in the morning is always the best tonic with which to start a day. After the war, sweetheart, I won’t need that, will I? I’ll get some real tonic – and how I’m looking forward to that happy time!

There isn’t much more to write now, darling, except to say ‘good-nite’. I’ll write you as soon as anything develops that I can write you about – and of course I’ll call you at the first opportunity. Until later, darling, so long and

All my love

Greg.

09 November, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916

Nov. 9, 1943    1400

Darling Wilma –

I feel so far away from you in miles, but so very near to you, dear, in spirit. The fact that I haven’t been able to contact you has made me very lonesome and is going to be very different to get accustomed to, sweetheart; I think of you over and over again each minute of the day, and as if you weren’t desirable to me already, you become even more so now.

Upon arrival here I looked all over for a phone, and after walking what seemed like miles I finally was told there were no outside phones in the Camp. Well – how about getting off? No! – everyone is restricted until the outfit goes thru some processing – usually beginning about 3 days! I felt awful about not being able to contact you, darling, but I did find out today – a little while ago – that officers could mail their letters from now on. I have to be at a dispensary in a little while, but I’ll try to get a few more lines off, dear.

Naturally there’s a lot happening that I can’t write to you, darling. Please understand. Wasn’t it wonderful when I was able to call you whenever I wanted to? I guess we never appreciate things until we can’t have or do them.

However – it seems that we will get some 12 hour passes soon. For how long, I don’t know – but I will contact you the minute I leave the camp so that I can tell you how much I love and miss you, Sweetheart. It’s more fun saying it than writing it. (Well why didn’t I say it more often?) Don’t take the words out of my mouth, dear.

The weather was bad yesterday and today, but should clear up this evening. I don’t like the thought of the approaching new moon, darling, because I’m sure my lonesomeness will be intensified. I can see now that the war can’t last very long, dear – because I don’t like it this way at all. I know it already, after being out of the direct circumference of your sphere for only 2 days.

Dearest, I’m going to stop now. I hope this gets to you soon. Perhaps I’ll be able to contact you before this reaches you. Remember, darling, I’ll always be trying to keep in touch with you in one way or another. I hope you’re feeling better by now. And I hope you’re studying. So long for now, dear – and Sweetest memories are mine thanks to you.

All my love

Greg.

Regards to your folks.
       Love
            G.

08 November, 1943

[From FOURTHCHILD:

See new pages 16 and top of 17
in The Route of the Question Mark
by clicking on the above tab.]

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 % Postmaster N.Y.

En Route

Nov. 8, 1943    1310

Dearest Girl –

Right now our train has stopped, but it might start again any moment and if so – excuse the writing, dear.

I’m sorry, darling, that I had to awaken you last nite, but I just felt like talking with you and naturally I want to take advantage of every opportunity, while it presents itself. Your voice sounded as if you had a whale of a cold, dear, and I hope you take care of it and get it over with as soon as possible. I’m glad your folks were able to bring you back and save you the wear and tear of a train ride.

I was surprised, dear, to hear that your gift had arrived so soon, although I had heard from Shreve’s that it had been mailed out. I wish the timing had been better – but since I think you suspected strongly what you were going to get, it doesn’t really matter, dear. Anyway, I hope you like it and find use for it, after your cold is gone.

Yesterday p.m. about 1430, my folks arrived. I showed them around the camp awhile and then sent them home, my brother driving my car. There were tears, of course, but I did my best to bolster the family’s feelings and then it was over. I didn’t enjoy it, darling, no more than when we said ‘so-long’.

The evening – was a busy one, and even after I called you – there was no time for sleep. We ate at 0245 etc. etc. and were on our way on schedule. The route we took was as I suspected. We should arrive on time.

Sweetheart, it’s an awful feeling I had all day today (the train has just got going again) – every hour bringing me farther away from those I love. It just doesn’t seem possible but it’s so.

But with all my heart-ache I have an undercurrent feeling of contentment, dear, a satisfaction that is almost indescribable. I’m so happy in the realization of you, darling; in knowing that I love you and that you feel the same way about me. That feeling is going to be a comfort to me in the days and months to come and I’ll always feel grateful to you, dear, for allowing that common feeling to materialize.

I can’t write anymore now, darling. I hope you feel better soon and I’ll do my darn’dest to contact you as soon as I can. Meanwhile take care of yourself and remember my love will always be for you, dear.

Greg.

Regards to the girls
and your folks

Love

G.

07 November, 1943

No letter today, but these pictures of Greg.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Greg visiting at Mount Holyoke College during early Fall of 1943.


Greg is seated at the typewriter, in September of 1942,
with his Medical Detachment, at Otis Field, Camp Edwards

04 November, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

Camp Edwards, Mass

Nov. 4, 1943    0740

Dearest Girl –

Here I am back at the Dispensary, starting another day writing to you. You finish the day and I start it – and I guess that completes the cycle, dear.

I enjoyed your letter – or letters – very much yesterday, darling – and the drawings! Well I never knew you had that much ability. You ought to further it, dear. However – you don’t draw accurately; for example – I’m never that close to you, sweetheart, without my arms around you; secondly I haven’t that much hair, and third, dear – who did the plastic on my nose? But it was very sweet dear and expresses my sentiments too. You know, dear – that in reading about censorship – it states that soldier’s mail from overseas to this country – cannot have xxx’s anywhere on the letter. It seems that in the early days – messages were sent in one way or another using them. So darling – I’ll just write mine out.

Your psych. course sounds good. I used to like courses like that – where everyone gets a crack at saying something – even if it’s not important. Some of the meetings used to get very heated and one would think that the world was waiting for a decision. Concerning the subject matter you discussed, dear – that has been discussed a good deal before and always makes good material for an argument, as does any subject that uses a priori rather than a posteriori reasoning.

I like to read your remarks about our future life together. It helps reassure me that you’re thinking along the same lines that I do. The Lord knows I’m always thinking of the days to come after the war when we’re settled in Salem and bringing up a family and really living a normal life. Great Day! We’ll have happy times.

About the sweater, darling, you’re not really starting a sweater now, are you? You know you really have some time – or are you counting on your dad’s prognostic acumen? If so, I usually use a size 38.

About Friday, darling, – the thought of it makes me mentally ill – because it involves so many ‘good-byes’; I’ll have to just keep remembering that all this is just temporary, just an interval before we are allowed to be permanently happy. I know you feel the same say dear –, but I’ll have to try and make my folks feel the same way, too.

I think it would be nice if you came down to my house. I’ll get off as soon as I possibly can and head straight for Newton Center and you. Then we can proceed to my house and we can drive you home on our way back. Ok?

Darling I hope you get your paper written etc. I’ll call you tonite and until then – solong, dear and

All my love

Greg.

03 November, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

Camp Edwards, Mass

Nov. 3, 1943    0750

Dearest Sweetheart –

I believe I told you on the phone last night, dear, that I enjoyed your letters, particularly the one you wrote Sunday night. I’ve just re-read it and darling it still is one of the nicest letters I’ve ever received. Certain it is that it’s the most sincere and straightforward, and you can believe me, dear. I feel the same way as you. I’ll always love you and as far as being strangers is concerned, by being separated – I don’t feel that that will happen at all. As a matter of fact, Sweetheart, it is my opinion that we can go on developing each other’s acquaintance right from where we leave off now. A person reveals so much of his or her personality in his writing; the exchange of ideas goes on; plans can be made for the future. What one must have is a good visual memory ability to call up pictures of the past. That is very important, I think – and I think we’ll both have that power. The one big thing that is always missed, of course, is the physical contact, darling – which I know we’ll both miss very very much. But we’ve got to look to the future for our satisfaction. There are so many many other couples in the same boat – and that helps a little. But never, dear – never feel that distance and separation will change my feelings towards you. I love you as deeply as I know how; it’s a love based on an attraction I had for you soon after I met you, dear – an attraction backed by your personality, sweetness, consideration, and of course returned affection. It’s not a superficial love. I know it will grow stronger and stronger, despite my being away from you – and when I return, darling, I shall want to marry you immediately. Now – when you ever feel blue and doubtful, dear – remember all that and remember that I mean it sincerely.

Well – the AA Surgeon had nothing in particular to offer. Today I’ve been reassured that the written order will be out – and it looks as if I’ll stay.

It’s a rainy blue day today – but I don’t feel that way. It’s always such a nice feeling to remember that I know a girl who loves me and is willing to marry me. It’s a great comfort, darling – and I’m thankful to the Lord for it.

As regards Friday – I feel also that no matter how short the time – I want to see you. I felt that way the minute I drove off from So. Hadley. As for your suggestion about coming to my house – that would be wonderful and even if your folks can’t make it – you can come down anyway and we’ll drive you home. Anyway I’ll contact you before then, dear, and we’ll see.

Darling I must stop now and do some work. I’ll call you tonite. Last nite I went to the movies again; saw ‘Lassie Come Home’ – a dog picture and rather good.

So long for now, dear – and remember always that I love you and always will.

All my love

Greg.