Jan 31 1944
Dear Ma
Ill try to write you a little note but I don't know why I should I haven't received any mail from you for several days & I can't figure out why unless its because I have been moving. We moved again today into another Barrack the number now is 410 but I don't know how long we will be here. I don't imagine I'll be here over a couple of days but then again I may be here the duration & 6 mos.
We went into Denver Sun & went to church it was a pretty good sermon. It sure was a nice church to, it's the me church right in town.
It has been cold here since we had the snow but all we have been doing is walking guard duty & getting cold. I guess it has warmed up some out side but it is still rather chilly even at that.
Say have Margaret & Jim ever sent you any money I was wondering you never did write and say any thing about them.
How is florence getting along now she probable likes it better now but probable still would rather be home but wouldn't we all.
I guess we get paid this afternon not that I need it but it sure is a nice feeling.
Well I guess thats about all so Ill have to close for now
Jack
Note: He said he was to services at a "me church," which is Methodist Episcopal. I'm guessing it was Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver. It's a beautiful church.
Feb 2 1944
Dear Ma well I'll try to pen you a short note to let you know I am still kicking & I do mean kicking.
I got the pictures but didn't think they were much good I don't know what was wrong but some thing is I guess it must be me I know know what else it could be. I also got your picture--thanks--all the fellows think I look like my Ma I wonder why. In fact one guy told me I should be a girl that I would make a better looking girl than I do a boy. They also thought I had a very nice looking ma in fact good looking enough to get remarried--so there too.
I got a nice long letter from Bo to day & I guess she must like it o.k. She didn't gripe too much so it must not be too bad or may be she hasn't gotten use to it yet or something.
I had KP the other night--I was just getting ready to write you & they came in & let me voluntere for the job. I helped peel 2400 lbs of spuds. I even look like a spud now. I don't think I ever came so close to cutting a guy neck as I did that night.
I also burnt my right index finger the other day. a lid from the heater fell on it & burnt a place about a inch long & about 3/16 wide. It didn't hurt then but it sure has been lateley I knocked the hide off of it & its been razin hell with me.
We got paid yesterday & you know of that $50 they always talk about the solders getting well my share is cut down to the whole sum of $16 --I use to make that much in a day. I'll just have to ration myself to less nights a week out. after I get a few stripes, that is if I make gunner, Ill be making a little more.
Well I guess thats just about all for now
Oh yes I got Nenes letter & sure takes the cake.
Jack
Notes:
The $16 net pay he got is equal to about $239.
I don't have a photo of my grandmother from this time, but here is her wedding photo and a picture a few years later than this letter; she is holding my sister, 1950. Indeed, she was a looker!
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| Neva and Rev. B.C. Eutsler Wedding, 1918 |
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| Neva Eutsler 1950 (with baby Peggy) |
He also wrote to Bo that day:
Feb 2 1944
Dear Bo
I got your long letter today so will try to answer it while I have time.
You seemed like you were trying to cheer me up because I didn't make cadets. It didn't bother me because I never planned on it too much. I figure 14 to 15 months is quite a while to spend learning to fly. I would just a bout a soon be a gunner at least I'd be through with the course in about 6 to 8 mo.
So you really like it there in Lingo well I am glad. No kidding do you think you can send home $75 out of a $100 home. I don't see how you do it, I have my room & board ? furnished & it cost me more than that just to go to town for a month.
Ill try to finish this while I am setting here doing nothing. We are having gas aleart & have our gas masks on it is very plesant trying to do something with them on. You can't see nor breath.
It has been rather nice out to day but it sure is muddy out. The sun came out & the sun melted therefor you have mud nice gooie mud. After the fellows come in the barracks look like a hog pen from the mud on the floor.
I have been feeling rather low latley have had a sore throat & a head ack. I had one headack last week for 4 straight days & it wasn't from getting drunk either. I guess it is more or less the flue because every one has it here. We sleep in such small buildings--rather there are so many in one building if one gets something you can't help but having every thing the other guy has but his money.
I sure hope I get shipped from this joint because I dislike it more than any thing or place I have ever been or done. Everyone hates it here it wouldn't be bad if we had a little better food & a little better places to stay but it is all leads to dislike.
Well I guess I better close for now & write a few more letters.
Jack
Note: Bo was living (I think teaching?) in Lingo, New Mexico. Lingo is located on the eastern edge of NM, and is now mostly a ghost town. This blog states the last graduating class of five students was in 1945.
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