May 10 1945 From Hilda Reitz

 

 

                                                                            May 10, 1945

Hello Jack:

    Where should I begin - well, first it's just grand that things are over in Europe, but just the thought that you men in uniform aren't altogether finished with your work for Uncle Sam is very depressing, to put it mildly. When everything is all over everyone should get on their knees and fold their hand and say "Thank God" and mean it from the very bottom of their hearts.  Everything in our little town was quiet on V.E. Day, and the churches were packed, all places serving alcoholic drinks were closed, everyone staying close to home in the daytime listening to their radios.  The hearts and minds of 99% of the American people are in the right place and realization of what all this means is keen.

    Now for all the news I can think to tell you ---first so far as I personally am interested in is, as you know, the work of the V.F.W.  Two weeks ago we had our joint installation, and a man from the V.F.W. in Washington spoke to us on the so-called "G.I." bill.  Last night we held a raffle with the proceeds we bought a wheel-chair, complete with name plate - pillow and case and an afghan for a boy (22 yrs) in the vets. Hospital in Aspinwall.  He'll never walk again and couldn't afford a chair.  Now he has one of his own.  We've buying another next month.  I know you don't entirely approve of same, nevertheless the work we're trying to do is beneficial and constructive.

    You know, of course, Alice and Finny were here.  I was surprised to see Finny looking so good and just as surprised to see Alice looking the worst of the two and she was by far the most jittery of the two.

    I suppose you know the curfew has been lifted.  Next Saturday night is our bowling banquet and dance -- at Hotel Henry. I'm going to try to coax a new dress out of the paying end of the family.

    The Ferrone boys are all home except one (there are 5 of them in service).  Tony was in the south Pacific and the china Sea.  He participated in quite a submarine battle in the China Sea.  Had a long talk with him today.  Rocco was bringing Germans and Italian prisoners to the States.  I don't know how many trips he made.  Red Sheridan is  home.  He helped navigate the ships that took marines and landing barges to Iwo Jima.  He told us the story of what happened during the landing.

    Aspinwall  Freshman had a skate tonight.  Tommy was spinning and hurt his back a bit.  By the way, if you ever have time would you write him a letter telling him whether or not you have a mascot, what it is, if it has a name, and some amusing incidents if any, about your boat or crew.  The Presbyterian Church is starting a paper of that sort to be printed and sent to all servicemen in the congregation or town.

    Our trip to Lancaster was very nice.  We were out at Kate and John Mowery's home on Saturday night.  Sunday we had the baby baptized (Easter).

    Did your Dad have his new job before or after you were home?  Shop Production Manager.  It's a tough one, and he comes home every night all tuckered out.  I'm house cleaning and that's something.  Tommy and I washed the walls ourselves.  That alone was a H -- of a job.  I'll have to throw my feet out as I have bridge club next Friday.

    Helen Louise went to the Rodeo.  The idol of the children - Roy Rodgers and "Trigger" were there.  She loved it.  She came home and said "Oh! Boy! Nothing so thrilling as the good old Wild West."

    By the way, Blawnox has had a prowler for about the past month.  Sort of a "peeping Tom".  Everyone is all a-dither and the kids scared to death.  It's even gotten to the point I hear alot of strange houses too, at night.  Our one man night police force - Papeye - hasn't been very successful in rounding him up.  I hope to heck he soon catches him as I just know I'm going to have nightmares or something over the head of it.

    Darn it, I thought I had more news, but I can't think, maybe if I stood up, eh what?

    By the way, Alice told me you were a sorry looking sight the Friday morning you hit Detroit.  I should have, but I didn't tell her, you probably felt 10 times worse than you looked.

    You know darling, You said in your letter you have grown very selfish - yes, I know that is true - but it doesn't alter the fact that I love you quite as much as I do the rest of the broad.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you if you asked for you know I'm not selfish.  In fact it would be a pleasure if you would ask me to do things for you.  I would feel as though you really meant what you told me one Christmas night - do you remember?  For a good many years I wondered about you until that night and always felt as though you sort of resented me - which of course you would have had no right to do for if there ever comes a time in your life that you are in very great need of advice or help I would always stand pat by you.  I think these things you already know.  My feelings for you are different from the way I feel about the rest, for the reasons you are a grown man and can stand on your own feet and they all need material car and protection in a sense.  You know exactly what I mean.  You are more of a companion as well as one to be very grateful to call Son, and it is lots of fun to be with you, because you enjoy things too.  In other words, with you when I want to have fun, I can be perfectly natural with the others, I must be just a wee bit of the solid-thinking side.  This little written conversation is leading to something, you might know.  Now I'm going to ask a very great favor of you, one, I know that had you thought of it, you would have done long ago.  I'm going to be the selfish one this time.  I would like you to get me a Torpedo man's pin.  Oh! Yes!  I could buy one, but it wouldn't be the same thing and would mean nothing to me, if I had to buy it myself.  There isn't a woman or girl in the world that doesn't treasure things given to her by someone dear to her in the service of his country.  Did you ever think this? I daresay you didn't, but I want you to remember this and maybe it will restore some of your faith in the (weaker?) sex.

    Well Jack it's midnite and tomorrow is just another day I have to wade through some more house cleaning so am going to quit rambling.

    Your Dad sends his love, so do all the kids - for you know:

    "Bell bottom trousers -coat of Navy Blue -We love our sailor --------,"

So love and

                Goodbye for now  -

                        Hilda.