Mid-February, 1944. Eyes are priceless

First, a little back up.  I was looking through old newspapers yesterday and found this notice about his job in the Puget Sound Naval Yard. NYA = National Youth Administration. This is from the Albuquerque Journal, Sunday, April 19, 1942

Now, let's catch up with Jack in February, 1944 at Buckley Field, Colorado.

In the upper left corner: May be you ought to hold income tax until I see if I ship will know in a day or 2.

Feb 4 1944

Dear Ma

While I am waiting to have one of the fellows cut my hair I'll try to write you a little note.

I got your letter today the one with the picture of the kids. It is pretty good until you stop to look at it & then it's not so good.

Say would you send me my last year's income tax return & my slip showing me how much I made the first half the the year & all income tax papers I have there that you think I need.

We sure had a nice day today -- the sun was out all day & it was nice & warm just like a real spring day. We had all the windows & doors open. In fact one of the fellows just started to close the windows. 

I got a letter from Bo a day and a you & she seemed like she didn't mind it too much.

Well I am so tired I can't think so I'll close for now.

5

I have to go out on pass [?] this afternoon - so I'll try to finish this now - quick but sweet It has been cold to day & is cold now. Am planning on going to to Fort Collins to night

Jack

New stationery! It has the Army Air Corps emblem and the words "U. S. ARMY AIR CORPS" printed on it. 

Feb 7 1944

Dear Ma

I guess I ought to write you a note so as you will know I am still alive.

We didn't get passes Sat night so I had to stay in and save my money also be a good boy. It was such a nice day to stay in too. The sun was out & it was a typical spring day. I ran around all day with out a coat on it really was nice. It was just as nice today too.

I didn't do any thing today just got out of detail & tried to hide out. That's more work than working. Say I got another letter from the runt those things kill me. I  have to show them around the barracks even let them read some of the remarks she makes including her cartoons.

Nene says all you do is set around and admire your picture well you tell her that that's all right because I got some very nice complements on that picture. all the fellows think I have a very good looking ma, & that's not just kidding. Don't let it go to your head now but if it makes you stop worring about your good for nothing kid let it go to your head.

I have to go up for a nother shot tomorrow so I won't have to work tomorrow if I can help it. Thats all ways good to get out of work. 

Well I guess that's all I can think about for now so will close for now so write soon.

Jack. 

Feb 10 1944

Dear Ma

Well we moved again to day. & it sure was a nice day to move. When we went to bed last night it started to snow, well it kept it up all night but didn't snow a whole lot. The wind did blow & when when we got up it was really cold. It blew & snowed till about noon & it sure was cold morning. 

Say while I am thinking about it are you still sewing for other people? Now I am telling you if you are that you have to charge more for the work. If they don't want to pay it tell them to spend there money on war bonds and do it them selfs. You know you are only recking your eyes & those glasses don't come cheap. I am not kicking about you getting the glasses but to tell you the truth I don't think you made enough money to pay for them a lone & eyes are priceless. Rember I am still head of the house hold & what I says goes. I don't think you need money bad enough to have to ruin your eyes to get it. You know a blind person can't do a whole lot of sewing or anything else so please listen to your little son once. I don't think he ever told you any thing that you have gone wrong on yet. Even if I am bragging I don't think my advice has done any body any harm yet.

We had below 0 weather to day so I guess you know it has been cold. It gets colder here than in Denver [?] so it's cold. 

I hear we only get 20 days basic so we won't have it too tough after all. We are suppose to have 45 days at least but they are going to close this as a training camp so are pushing us through.  

Well I'll close for now. 

Jack

Notes: 

The Army Air Forces had considered closing the base as a training base, but they didn't close it completely. They drew down the numbers until the end of 1944 according to this site. 

Gram didn't ruin her eyes sewing. She enjoyed sewing at least through the 1960s when she lived with my family. She made me clothes, she made me doll clothes, and also toys, including this cute kitty cat pajama bag. 

Next: Moving Barracks and Laying Around

All the fellows think I look like my Ma

 

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! 

Neva and Rev. B.C. Eutsler Wedding, 1918

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.

Next up: Mid February 1944: Eyes are priceless