Bernice (Bessie) Kotowski Zabielski, 1944

Dad always spoke Polish when talking to his ma on the telephone. 

9 August 1944

India

Dearest Grace,

I received your letter dated July 16 and I sure did find it a very welcome and interesting letter.

I started to write you a letter last night on V-mail, but it seemed to me very informal to write in V-mail.  In the second place, half way finished with your letter I ran out of ink so I postponed it till today.

They had some Sunken Gardens up at San Angelo and I really thought they were beautiful.  I know what you mean when you describe those at San Antonio.

I know that Lt’s are wolfs also, and now that incident that you mentioned convinces me that I was right.

Last night after work I went to see our Squadron play the M.P.’s baseball team.  We won the game 2 to 1.  After that I started to write you a letter but could not finish it.  I’m sorry.  After that I went to a show.  Had a little trouble cause they announced all men in overalls would have to leave the show and so all the men in overalls left and the guys who were dressed in Khakis left also.  The guys in khaki uniforms did not go back until they allowed the guys in overalls in.  They finally let every one in.

They guys were sure mad cause they didn’t mind dressing up in their dress clothes in public cause then you are living up to the standards of our Army, but when they made us dress in dress clothes in the field where no public is allowed sure made the men angry.

Nothing more to say only that I am well and healthy and I sure do miss you.  I wish that you were here so I could hug and squeeze you till you say stop.  Honey, do you miss me as much as I miss you?

How is every one at home?  Well and happy, I hope.  Did you hear from W.R. lately?

So, honey, I’ll close with love and yours, always,

Ray

P.S.  Enclosed is a clipping on why I am now overseas.

Read all the letters at:  http://wwiiloveletters.blogspot.com/

Mom, “bumming” in the big city, shopping with girlfriends, 1944

I was so intrigued with the movie “Guadacanal Diary,” that I ordered my own 1943 edition of the book written by Richard Tregaskis.  He was a news correspondent and I was equally impressed with his ability to record dailey, what was happening, and sending the chapters back which eventually turned into the book.  Just as Dad writes, G.I.s talked about girls, family back home and home cooking.

7 August 1944

India, Monday eve

Dearest darling,

I received today a letter dated July 15 and I sure was happy to receive it.

Say, honey, you’d better not go bumming around so much, that city life will ruin you.  You’re not used to it.  You better wait until I come home and then I’ll introduce you the city life.  I won’t have a chance now, that you living in a big town, all those G.I.’s and 4 F’s around.  I’ll lose you.

I’ve been pretty busy today.  This has been the first let up I’ve had since I got to work this morning.  It’s been raining again this morning, now it is late in the afternoon or early evening and the sun is out and it’s so nice out, reminds me of back home.

I received a letter from home today.  Everything is ok. And every one is in the best of health. 

Well, I guess I’ll close cause some more work just came in and I want to try and get this letter off today if possible.  So, until tomorrow, I’ll be saying good-night.

With love,

Ray

Read all the letters at:  http://wwiiloveletters.blogspot.com/

WWII boat docks in India.

 Dad takes photos, writes letters, misses the States, home cooking and the woman he met in the bus station.  Mom writes letters to her brother and the soldier she met in the bus station, makes candy and sends it oversea, sometimes to become lost.  Indians gather on the dock with goods to selling to the arriving soldiers.  The tenderness of love lettersthe struggle to survive, and the violence of war; such a rugged terrain.

India

Sunday, 6 August, 1944

My dearest Grace,

I am at this time answering your letter that was written on the 14^th of July (my brother’s birthday) and I must say if sure was good to hear from you again.  I haven’t heard from you for a few days.  I was beginning to worry.

I’ll never forget the evening I met you.  It made my stay and trip to Ft. Worth profitable cause I met you.  I sure would like to be back there again and see you.

I was sorry to hear your brother did not get the service he wanted, but I know that whatever service you are in or no matter what branch it is, a person gets to be very proud of his outfit.

Although today was Sunday, it did not mean it was a day of rest.  We had to work.  I don’t mind working cause there is nothing else to do.  I missed church today and I know I shouldn’t have.  I would have gone if I didn’t have to work.

Last night I went to a show, and I saw two pretty old pictures.  The names of the pictures were “Yank Ahoy” and “McGuerins of Brooklyn”

They were two very comical pictures.  I really enjoyed them.

I figure you should be in Fr. Worth until the last of August so about the 20^th of August I shall again address your mail to Matador.

As you know this is the Monsoon season in India, so again, today, it’s been raining.

For dinner today we had Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, string beans, tomatoes, canned cherries, and iced teas.  It sure was a good dinner.

I still have not had the chance to go to town so I do not know what it is like.  I heard it not so very hot.

Darling, I never received that candy you made.  I figure it might have got lost because I’ve had so many changes of address.  So when you are making some more candy or cookies for W.R. pleas send me some.  I sure do miss your home made candy and cookies.

Well, darling, I guess I’ll close with all my love to my one and only.  Here’s some kisses.  I can’t put an x’s.  The censor won’t pass it.  But you know they are enclosed.

Love,

Ray

Is that a camera in Dad's hand?

Dad is in India in this letter.  Sleeping in a tent.  The photo is of him still on a ship.  Is that a camera in his hand?  When we lived In Japan, many years later, I remember taking photos and developing them with Dad in the base photo lab.  Is it any wonder that his creative talents, and mom’s with her sewing and quilt making, that many of their children and grandchildren have followed in their foot steps?

3 August 1944

Thursday eve

India

Dearest,

I’ve got the urge to write you, but I just can’t seem to find anything to say.  I have so much to talk about yet when I sit down to write you my mind seems to be a total blank.

I haven’t been very busy today, but as soon as I try reading a book or write a letter some body comes in with some work he wants done immediately if not sooner.

I am writing you this letter while on the bed and underneath a mosquito net.  It is very stuffy underneath the net, but if I did not sleep under the net I would be subject to the bite of a mosquito and maybe malaria.

I really had a lot of trouble to get to work today.  On account of the big rain the other night all routes to our place of work were underwater.  When we did land a truck to take us, there was always the chance of it stalling so we would l have to get out and wade through the water.  Our truck stalled once today and so I had to get out and walk. 

It is getting dark now so I pulled out my flashlight so I could keep on writing to you.  We have no electric lithgt in our tents.  As I sit here and write this letter there are guys outside reinforcing their tents cause some of the tents fell down the previous night.  I’ll wait till mine falls before I reinforce it.  Mine looks pretty solid, anyway.

Most all the minor dirty jobs are being done by the Natives.  All we have to do is carry out our regular duties and not worry about K.P. etc.

I pay a guy $2 a month to do my laundry.  It does not matter how much clothes I give him.  The price is always the same.  This way I’ll be able to put on a clean suit of clothes on every other day.

I sure am glad in one way that they shipped me over seas. For by shipping me overseas I replaced a fellow that has served overseas for more than 2 years.  You should see how happy he was when he found out I was replacing him. And that now he was able to go home again.  Now if they send enough guys like me overseas your brother, my brother will be able to come home sooner.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t cherish this idea of being away from you, I miss you so and I so do long to be with you again.  I’m only happy that because of replacements like me and some other guys coming here, gives you a chance maybe to see W.R. a lot sooner.  (You should be glad you don’t have to put up with me for a couple of years.)

Well babe, I guess I’ll close for tonight.  I have no more news and I’m getting tired so I could sleep.  I want to sleep so I could dream of you.

With all my love,

Ray

P.S.  I do love you.  I’m pretty darn sure.  Are you?  I’m kissing you good night honey.  Did you get it?

Guadacanal Diary

Guadacanal Diary, a must see if you truly want to know the thoughts and fears of anticipation that young soldiers felt at they traveled on boats to unknown lands and unknown battles.  This photo of Dad on the middle bunk looks as though it came right out of the movie.  And the kidding and conversation sounds as though they came right out of his letters.

3, August 1944

Dearest Darling,

Not much news, so I do not know just what to say.  There is one thing I want to say and you heard it plenty of times before.  “I sure do miss you.”

Today and yesterday have been two pretty cool days.  We have had a little rain.  About 2 to 3 ft deep in certain spots.  Our tent was not washed out, although there were plenty that did.

I’ve been pretty busy yesterday so I was not able to write.  I’m sorry.

I wasn’t able to leave camp to go to town.  So I haven’t had a picture taken yet.  I’ll send you a picture as soon as possible.

I haven’t received any letters from you lately, the last 3 or 4 days I mean, so I just can’t find anything to write.  Guess I’ll close with oceans of love and a kiss on every wave.

Love always,

Ray

P.S.  Sorry this is only a short note.  Will write more as soon as I can.

A Soldier, my dad, somewhere in the mountains in India, 1944

There is the experience, the memory and then there is a photograph.  How much we get to know about someone seems to be based on many factors.  Even though there are seven children in my family and all raised by the same parents, my father and mother, as naive, young, first time parents were totally different people when it was time to raise my younger siblings 17 years later.  Or were they?   Does the essence of who we are persevere?

July 27, 1944

Somewhere in India

Dearest Grace,

Good morning honey.  I just got up and ate breakfast, had you on my mind and figured I’d write you a few lines.  Bore you a little.

Had a very good breakfast - -fresh fried sunny side up eggs and pork sausage, cereal and cantaloupe.  The breakfast I had at your house beat this though.  I really could go for a breakfast like that.  Bacon and eggs, cream and cereal.  Good old official cream also, not canned milk like we have here.  Enough about food.  I guess I’ve said enough, always complaining.

What have you been doing in the past few days?  I hope your trip to Ft. Worth was a good one.  So far I’ve been in Bombay and the city is nothing like anything in Texas.  All they seem to have is peddlers in the streets, trying to sell you something hyou don’t want and they usually sell it to you, too.

Last night I went to a show here on the field.  It was an out door movie.  It rained at the beginning bu t stopped later on.  I saw “So’s Your Uncle” and part of “There’s Something about a Soldier.”  About ¾ through the 2^nd picture it started to rain cats and dos.  I was soaked to the skin.

How do you feel about me honey, still the same way?  I hope you do.  I’m nuts about you.  I wish we get things ironed out between you and I soon.  Say, you never told me if the flowers arrived the day of your graduation or late.  They were scheduled to arrive the day you graduated at school.

I sent you a picture.  Not very good, but I guess it will have to do till I can get a good one.

Remember when I met you at Fort Worth and started a conversation, I said I sure would like to have you for a sweet heart and then when I did write you a few letters and we got better acquainted I sorta hinted around for you to invite me over to your place.  You finally gave in, and after I left I figured you were sorry you ever met me.  The guys at camp ribbed me cause I traveled 300 miles to see you and I disappointed you.  I was kinda down in the dumps.  Then when I heard from you again just before shipping for overseas telling me you cared a little I was really happy and then I knew I had something to go for and come back for.

I’ll be waiting for that picture you promised to send me.  If you have not sent it out hold onto it till I give you my newest address.  I’ll write you as soon as I receive the candy.

My younger brother has been rejected by the Army because of a weak heart.  The folks were kinda glad in one way but sad to hear he had a weak heart. (Raining again)

I guess I’ll close now but before I close I want to ask you one more guestion.  When  is your birthday?

Lovingly yours,

always

Ray

Whiteflat, Texas Visitors, 1949

My mom's sister, Eugenia, her husband, Bud, and my cousins, Noilene and Jaunice, also visited Grandmother and Granddaddy.  And, it was always a long journey.  A time when you entered the "zone" of driving straight through the night.  We never stopped at motels and we never ate at restaurants.  And if you think bathrooms are rough now.  They are palaces compared to some that we stopped at on Rt 66.    I ponder my dad's earlier comment telling Mom that he didn't have as much fun visiting her folks as he did when he visited his own folks.  There has to be some truth in that statement.  I am always more comfortable with my immediate family than I am with in-laws.  Dad clearly loved his Ma.  He called her every Sunday.  Now that I have grown children, and an empty nest, I know how much those phone calls are valued. 

July 8, 1944

Overseas

Dearest Grace,

Today all the mail caught up to me.  I received 9 letters from my best girl who lives in Matador.  They were dated as follows—Mat 23-24-27-29-June 5-7-8-12-15.  I also received two pictures.  Gee! But you’re wonderful.  It was just wonderful to hear form you.  I look forward to yur letters.

I sure am glad to hear that you received so may presents and are proud of each and every one.  I am sorry I could not get you anything else besides the flowers.  When and where were the flowers delivered?  Were they in time for the graduation?

I can’t tell you what country I am in, but I am not in England and I am not in the Invasion.  I figure I will be fighting the other war.

Say hello and give my love to your folks and rest of the family..

Honey, as I am not at my final destination, I cannot write too much and I also cannot mention where I am at.

I’ll write soon as I can and more.

Sincerely forever yours,

Ray

P.S. I am air mailing it so you get it faster.

(She actually received this letter on July 20th)

Ray Meets Stella, 1944

Ray Meets Stella,  Whiteflat, Texas 1944

Conflict and Misunderstanding. It must have been difficult to develop a relationship mostly through letters. It appears they were together when they met, then one visit to the farm, off to war, one or two visits after the war then marriage. I imagine that one reason my mother may have been a little unsure about my dad after his first visit was his sense of humor.  He does like to joke, and as kids we had to learn to know when he was serious and when he was kidding.  I think that my strategy was that, except in the case of politics, I never took him seriously.  And that approach seemed to carry over till today.  That is good, because whenever someone says something bad to me, I think they didn’t really mean it.  That strategy is bad, however, because whenever someone compliments me, I’m inclined to not take that serious either.  I think, oh, you just said it to be nice…..

January 30, '44

Sunday

Dear Grace Laverne,

I received today your letter of Jan. 28^th and I must say that it sure was nice to hear from you.  I sure thought that you might be angry with me cause there was no letter to me from you.

I really meant it when I said I had a nice time when I was at your house.  I won’t say I had a better time than I did home on furlough.  I sure was glad that I am able to go home so often to see the folks.  They sure were glad to see me.

I am sorry that you got me all wrong when I said that you were pretty.  I really think that you are wonderful and very pretty.  I say that because I mean it.  I am not saying it just as a line to get yu to for me.  I like you a lot. That is true I never said I love you.  I like you cause I think that it was sweet of you to consent to write to me, and for  Xmas send me a box of candy.  Another reason I like you and your family was cause I found that you and your family was only one of the very few families that take in a soldier to spend a week end at their house, and lived up to that Southern hospitality.

That gift I gave you was something I wanted you to have for being so nice to a certain cpl.  Is that matter all straightened out between us, and I do hope we keep on as always, good friends.

Love,

Ray

P.S.  I think that I really made you angry and I am dreadfully sorry.

P. P.S.  I case you could use any sugar stamps, I think I can get hold of some.

P.P.S.  In case you want my picture yet, you can still have it.

Grandmother Tilson, milking 1946

The wedding takes place two years later on February 23, 1946.  I was born ten months later on December 20, 1946.  I imagine Julius and Bessie insisted on a Catholic wedding and that, as is required by the Catholic Church, Ray and Grace agreed to raise all seven of their eventual children Catholic, which they did.  It wasn’t a big wedding.  Grace wore a new suit.  And Stella’s land money must have arrived in time for her to come to Chicago bringing lots of shower gifts from friends and relatives in Texas.  I’m sure there was a celebration dinner afterwards, with liquor and kielbasa.  Even though Julius always offered whiskey to guests, I never saw anyone drunk.  And growing up, mom and dad never drank.  Except sometimes they served Mogen David wine at holiday dinners.  

December 31, 1943

New Years Eve

Dear Grace,

I had you on my mind so I thought as long as I was thinking of you, I should be writing you.  I do hope you don’t mind.  I like you so I guess that is why you are on my mind.   In a little while it will be New Years, and I won’t be celebrating it cause I took one of the fellow’s place as Charge of Quarters so as he could be home with his wife.  I don’t mind cause I don’t drink and all there will be in town is a pile of drunks.

I couldn’t find anything on the radio so things here in the squadron are dead, not a thing is stirring.  The whole squadron is practically in town.  I’ll bet that town will be a shambles after those guys get finished with it.

I sure was sorry to get C.Q. today cause we were issued new passes and I was going in circles claiming the old passes and issuing new passes.

How did you celebrate your New Years Eve?  Did you all get drunk?

I am going to try to come and see you next week.  I hope nothing turns up that will keep me away from you.  It seems to me like there is something always that comes up when I figure on coming to see you. 

There has been nothing new happening here so I think I shall close until I hear from you.

In two minutes the New Year will be here.  Here is my New Years Kiss.  I’m sorry I can’t give you one personally, cause it sure would be a pleasure and all mine too.

Love Always,

Ray

PS I’m sorry if I act like a silly kid.  It’s your fault that you’re so pretty.

Oak Park, Illinois

116 Chicago Ave.

Oak Park, Ill.

Jan. 15, 1944

Dear Grace,

I sure am sorry that I have not answered your letter sooner.  I would have but I guess you know by now that I am not a very dependable guy.

I am so sorry that you did not enjoy my company and I sure am sorry I could have not set myself with you in high.  I know you never said anything that you disliked my company but I could tell by the expression on your face that you were.

I really did have the swellest time ever, and I think it was awful nice of you to invite me to spend a week-end at your house.  I think that you are the swellest girl that I know, and I really mean that.  I hope you found your purse and are wearing those cp. Strips I gave you.

I sure had a rough trip from Fr. Worth to Chicago.  I had to stand up all the way.

When I left your house I left at 10 a.m. and arrived in San Angelo at 7:30 in the evening.  I hitched hiked all the way to San Angelo.  It was 283 miles.  I did not know it was so far to Matador from Angelo, cause I am not allowed to travel over 250 miles on  3 day passes.

I am enclosing a card I was going to send you but did not.

I have no more news so I guess I’ll be closing until I hear from you.  Soon, I do hope.

Love

 as ever

Ray

PS Give my regards to the swellest bunch of folks that you have.  They sure were grand to me.

The House in Whiteflat, Texas

A letter from the mother-in-law-to-be containing advice on premarital sex, 1946

Stella Eugenia Butterfield Tilson, Grace’s mother, was a force to reckon with.  She was strong willed, opinionated, and had a clear vision of how life should be based on her daily reading of the Bible. When the eventual wedding date planned for April was pushed up to February she wasted no time in writing to her future son-in-law to give him advice about sex and religion.  She didn’t think twice about scolding her grand children when they came to visit.  While us kids loved going to Texas for visits, we could never say Stella was the cuddly kind of grandmother you read about in books or saw in movies. Her mother, Gabriella, was a teacher; her father, Andrew Butterfield, was a Methodist missionary among the Indians, and she cared for him during the last days of his life after he and Gabriella broke up housekeeping.  That’s what they called divorce.  Stella diapered him in bed sheets, washed them and hung them on the line to dry.

Saturday night, early February, 1946

Dearest Ray,

Grace Laverne is planning to leave tomorrow afternoon for Canyon and Monday afternoon for Chicago.  So I want to write you this letter in order that you will have received it before she arrives.

I wish she had not insisted on going to Chicago before hand; that the plans had worked out as first arranged, the wedding in the Spring, her, and both of you leaving together.  But they didn’t and she is coming to you instead.

Now, I would be right along with her if it were not for the “small” matter of money, so I just have to trust her to your care and protection.

As long as you were here with me you were safe.  But with out my protection you might have been swept off your feet.  (“You” is plural).  Now you will not have that loving supervision.  So I am depending on you to keep yourself well in hand.  For you know the

paths of love and passion often run side by side and at times are intertwined, so that they are indistinguishable.  One doesn’t have to be bad to make a miss-step; they can be mistaken. And two people as much in love as you and Grace Laverne are could make that mistake mighty easy.  The result being that immediately your love would turn to hatred.  There is a story of just such an occurrence in the Bible, if you care to read it -  2 Samuel, Chapter 13.

Now, if just can’t bare it any longer, you can be married at once.  But be sure and let me know for by that time I may have my land money and can come up.  Besides, I want Grace Laverne married by a Methodist Minister at the alter rail of my church.

Then there is another thing, Your parents may not believe in so much affection between two persons and they might get shocked.  There are very few persons like I am.  So be reserved but out in the open also.  I can’t stand slipping around or getting off in dark corners.  You have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.  But even so, I don’t want them to have the wrong opinion of my little girl.  I don’t want her lying in your arms; it is going a little too far and is too much of a temptation.  Besides, remember, your parents’ opinion is to be considered.

Now, I could say a lot more but I have given you a general outline and you know what I mean.  Every thing I have said has been said because I love you, I am glad to give Grace Laverne to you, and I want you to enter life together without a blemish, without a regret to look back on.  I think you are the finest young man in the world.

Lovingly,

Mrs. Tilson

Dad's Future Father-in-Law

It’s clear Ray, my future Dad has fallen in love with Grace, my future Mom. Looking forward to a three-day pass, he signs his fifth letter “Love.”  What has she written him to elicit such a response?  Or could it have been the boxes of candy she so carefully wrapped and sent him?  He now knows she has brothers in the war, lives on a small west Texas cotton farm, can cook candy, plays basketball, sends well written letters, long and full of details, and he knows that her family, like his, has many wonderful Christmas traditions.  I’m sure she has included snippets of life on the farm. In two years the war will be over and they will be making wedding plans.  Grace’s mother, Stella, will have written Ray a long letter advising against pre marital sex.  Something few future mother-in-laws would do today. 

December 26, 1943

Sunday Eve

Dear Grace,

I just got back from town and I found your letter waiting for me.  It sure is a pleasure to hear from you.

I received the candy in perfect condition.  You did a very neat and exceptionally good job in packing it.  Not one of the pieces was chipped.

It would be a pleasure to spend my time with you.  I’d love it, but I don’t know whether you would like it.

The first three-day pass I get I think I shall take you up on that invitation.

As I mentioned previously in this letter I was in town today.  I did some skating but that is all.  This town is too darn dead.

Say, is there really a war going and you people back home can’t get sugar?  I sure am sorry for you all.

They opened up some bowling alleys here on the field so it means I won’t have to go to town so often.

Thursday it rained like the dickens, and I, in that rain, had to go and target practice.  I’m not a very good shot, but if it was a Jap he would have been a dead one.

I don’t have much to write about only that my Xmas was not a very happy one, even though I had most anything I wanted.  I really missed the folks.  I am glad that I have no girl back home to worry about.  I probably would have gone crazy.

In the second place I’m the bashful type.  Oh yeah.  Any way I think I am.  I haven’t found a girl I could really go for so far.  I have my eyes on one now.  I guess it will take time before I really do know.  I guess I have plenty of time.  I am only a young guy, won’t be getting old for another year.  Ain’t I the silly kid.  Guess I’ll close now as ever 

With love,

Ray

Julius and Bernice Zabielski in their living room in Chicago. 1950

Julius and Bessie immigrated to America in 1917.  Julius was a barber in downtown Chicago.  Haircuts were 25 cents.  Eventually he bought his own shop in a Polish neighborhood on the north side.  As a result of Julius’ investments in real estate, every time we went to visit they lived in a different apartment building. They always seemed rich to us kids.  They had plastic on their living room furniture, gave us huge Easter Baskets covered with cellophane and $5 bills were slipped in birthday cards. Bessie was what’s known today as a stay at home mom raising three sons.  When we went to visit in the sixties she let us know that she did not like the  “Polish jokes” that were so prevalent at the time. Of course they didn’t bother us kids.  We were once removed.  Apparently,  the northerners have had their Polish and Irish, the southerners have had their blacks.  Last night we watched Ken Burns Documentary, “The West.” revealing the degree to which the westerners have had their Indians. Today it seems many Americans basically want to have all immigrants to fear. 

December 20, 1943

Dear Grace,

I received your letter today and I must say that it sure was sweet of you to send me that box of candy.  It sure was good.  That was the first piece of home made candy I had since getting into the Army.  I sure wish that I had a girl friend something like you to send me home made goodies.

I guess I’ll have to wait till after the war to dream.  I sure must say that the letter you sent me was a very interesting one and I really do enjoy your letters cause they are not short notes like mine.

How did you all make out in the basketball game the other night?  Tuesday, I guess it was.  I hope that your team won.  Also how did your team make out Friday?

If you and I played basketball against each other I’m afraid that I would loose.  In a school our size they had all the kinds of recreation you could think of.  They had four football teams and all were class one teams.  They had the same amount of baseball teams.  We have also some swimming teams, basketball teams, soccer teams, tennis teams, boxing teams wrestling teams, fencing, etc.  I guess our class was slightly bigger than yours, by 1150, only.

Boy!  I sure do wish that I could hang my stocking up Christmas Day and get it filled like the times before the war and when I was young and innocent.

Boy!  Reading that letter about how you spent Xmas reminded me of the ones I spent at home.  I can’t help it, if I am sentimental that I got tears in my eyes when I read that.  I guess I’ll just miss those good old home Xmas days.

I never was able to catch Santa Claus filling up my stocking.  Did you ever catch him at work?  Say, will you please tell me how far it is to Matador, Texas from San Angelo.  I do hope I can take you up on that visit to your house.  I’d think it would be a lot of fun spending time with you in a small town.

Nothing of importance has happened here, same old routine day in and out.  Saturday evening I went to the show and saw the pictures “Appointment in Berlin” and “Gals Inc.”  I would say the pictures were fair. 

Sunday afternoon I went skating.  I did not enjoy myself.  Don’t know the reason why.

We sure do have a nice Xmas tree in our living room.  (The Army calls the living room the day room.)

Today I started my target practice.  I’ll tell you at the end of the week how I made out.

I went to a show today.  I saw the picture, “The North Star” and that sure was a good picture.

I’ll guess I’ll close until I hear from you.  So I guess I’ll close with love.

Always

Ray

PS   I am enclosing a kiss for you for xmas and also one for New Years.  I hope you don’t mind.

PPS   I know you think I’m a wolf.  Stop thinking I am one.

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B03E4DF1738E33BBC4F52DFB1668388659EDE

Grace Laverne Tilson, 1943

Last night Larry and I watched “Nightjohn” about a slave who breaks the law and teaches a younger slave to read.  A disturbing story, not only because of what happens in the film, but also because of how it reveals a part of my own past.  Through letters Dad introduces his family to the young woman he met in a bus station in Texas.  She was a junior at Matador High School, about to turn seventeen.  They come from two very different backgrounds; Dad, a Catholic, Yankee, son of Polish immigrants, who grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago, spoke Polish at home, English at school.  Mom is the daughter and granddaughter of West Texas cotton farmers, teachers and preachers.  Some of my ancestors were missionaries among the Indians, others were Confederates.  And even though the story passed down was, “We treated our colored people good,” they were still slave-holders.  Ray and Grace would not have been called boundary crossers back then.  But Mom’s mother, Stella, let it be know that she was not happy about her daughter marrying a Catholic. However, she did see the eventual marriage as a way out for Grace, and an opportunity for a better life.

Service Club, San Angelo Army Air Field, Bombardier School, San Angelo, Texas

December 10, 1943

Dear Grace,

I received your letter dated December 6 and I sure did like it.  I really never did expect a letter as long as you wrote for the short one I wrote.  I am very sorry that my letter was so short.  I hope and pray that my letter compares at least ¼ to yours.  It was really, but really interesting.

I am so sorry to hear that you were so late to get in. Boy whenever I am late like that I hear about it, from my guardian, the commanding officer.

Say, that demerit system of yours is really something.  Any time you want a three day vacation you just ask for it by being bad.  I guess I would like that very much.

I just got out of the show.  Did I ever see a crummy picture--- “Gangway For Tomorrow.”  I’ll bet you’re wondering why I do this---put a line like that---well that makes my letters seem longer.  You’ll be---surprised, it makes my letters about two lines longer.  After I finish writing you this letter I will probably wind up playing bingo at the Service Club.  Today is Bingo Night.

I have two bothers and oh, yes, I also have a mother and father---One of my brothers who is two years older than I am is in the Army in Italy.  I shouldn’t say Army, cause he is in the Air Corps.  He also is a Staff Sgt. Like your brother Bill, or W.R. as you call him.  The last I heard from him he was in Naples.  My younger brother is still a civilian, but I figure he will be in the Army as soon as he turns eighteen in May.

Ray on the right with his older brother, Chester

My dad is a Barber and on the side he buys and sells houses or cars. 

 It seems to me every time I go home I find the folks have a new car for me.  I sure do love cars.

Ray and Grace's first car

I sure was glad you did not think I was rude talking to you at the bus station. I really did figure a beautiful girl like you would either be married or engaged.  I figured also that you were about seventeen.  As for being engaged, girls back home get engaged when they are 16.

I was so sorry that I was not able to see more of you.  In case I should ever be in your neck of the woods would you mind if I visited you?

Say, as long as you are going to have a picture made, have one made for me?  Please.

I guess I’ll give you little about myself.  I am 21 years old, just turned 21, the 20^th of October.  I am from the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.  I graduated in 1940 from the biggest high school in the world.  The name of it is Lane Technical High School.  It's an all boys school and there are about 9,000 fellows enrolled.  I graduated from a 4 year technical course with 1200 other guys.  After finishing school I went to work in a Radio Co.  I worked there a little over 2 years, and then I enlisted in the Air Corps.  Ever since then I have been stationed here in San Angelo.  My job here is one of the spokes in the wheel that helps train Bombardiers.  I’ll guess I’ll close so until I hear from you I remain as ever.

Ray

Please write soon and send me a picture if you don’t mind.

I hope you remember me.

When my dad asked my mom about her family I imagine that she told him she was the fifth of seven children, that her dad was a cotton farmer, that most people in west Texas earned their living farming, raising cattle, or having a business in town.  She probably didn’t tell him that when he came to visit he would have to use an outhouse.

December 3, 1943

Dear Grace,

I hope you remember me.  I met you in the bus station when you were awaiting a bus to go home.  I would have written sooner only I pretty much work to catch up on what was piled up on me while on three day pass.

Here is hoping that your trip home was satisfactory.  My trip in was uneventful, only that I was a few hours late coming into camp.

How are they treating you in school?  If they get rough with you just tell them you know me.

Say, tell me what you do for on consecutive week in a small town like you live in.  Have you any brothers, sisters?  The most important item is that are you engaged?  ‘Cause it seems to me all the pretty girls are engaged.

Last night I went to the show and saw the picture, “Guadalcanal Diary.”  I really did like it.  Have you a bowling alley there?  Any theaters or any other forms of recreation?  What do the people do for a living?

I guess I might be boring you with all these questions so I think I shall close until I hear from you.

Ray

December 29, 1943

Dear Grace,

I just received your picture and I must say you sure are a fascinating young lady.  I had some pictures taken and so I will send you one as soon as I can.

Have you a telephone?  If you have, will you please give me the phone number? If you have no phone tell me how I could get in touch with you in case I should ever come to Matador.  I sure do hope I get a three-day pass soon.  I sure would like to see you.  Say what is it that you have done to me that I want to see you so bad?  I hope you did not hypnotize me.

I would be writing more but I can’t.  I am at work now and so I’ll write more, later.  I guess I shall close until we hear from each other again.  I close with love,

Yours,

Ray

P.S.  Here is that New Years Kiss…

9pm  x

10 pm x

11 pm x

12 pm X