Author Archives: John
Special for a Holiday
It’s been some time since I’ve updated the blog. Work has been pretty busy, and I took a long weekend with my wife Deena to take in the fall sights in New England. We even included a stop at Hyde Park to visit FDR’s home and the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. I highly recommended … Continue reading
Milk is Milk
December 11, 1944: Anna writes a letter to her brothers. She starts the letter off telling a story of what was probably a common experience in the 40’s, but more than 70 years on is a window into a bygone time. She relates that “…a salesman was coming around and he was leaving bottles of … Continue reading
I May Get Into a Bomb Group
December 8, 15 and 19, 1944. Dad writes home from Topeka. Christmas is on its way. Dad mentions that he has received quite a few cards including one from Anna and Eddie and another from his mother and father. He writes that “I am going to keep all of your Christmas Cards so’s I can … Continue reading
That Delicious Chicken Soup
December 4 and 7, 1944: Anna writes two letters from the home front in Albany, NY to her brothers. Anna and Eddie have pretty much settled into the routine of having their own place and had some guests over for dinner. “Eddie invited his parents to dinner and being Joe Miller was on leave a … Continue reading
Mail Comes by the Truck Loads
November 23 and December 3 and 10, 1944: Stanley writes a few letters from Deenethorpe to Dad who is stationed in Topeka. There is not much news from Stanley. He writes a short letter on the 23rd which is Thanksgiving. Stanley is writing his letter as he and the rest of the guys in the … Continue reading
A Fine Opportunity
November 29, 1944. Dad writes a letter home from Topeka Army Air Field. He acknowledges receiving his sister’s letter of November 26. He is typing the letter in the office and notes that “The moon…is very bright and there are white billowy clouds in the sky. The ground is frozen and it looks like we … Continue reading
So Natural and Simple
November 26, 1944: Anna writes a letter to her brothers from Albany. She and Eddie have settled into their new home now that they have the downstairs flat on Orange Street to themselves. Anna reflects that she thought she “would be scared to have a house of our own but it is all so natural … Continue reading
Looking to Learn Whatever I Can
May apologies that it’s been some time since my last entry. I’ve been away on vacation (hiking a section of the Appalachian Trial in Vermont with my brother), and subsequently catching up on work stuff since my return. Now that things have settled down it’s time to get back to 1944. November 19, 22 and … Continue reading
I Would Rather Have Mom’s Cooking
November 8, 13 and 18, 1944: A few letters from Stanley in England. He is settling back into being on base at Deenethorpe after a trip to Scotland in October while on furlough. He is sending some photos and memorabilia home from his trip to Scotland. The 401st had a “stage show in our theater … Continue reading
We All Voted For Roosevelt
November 5 and 16, 1944, Anna writes two letters to her brothers reporting on the latest from home. The downstairs flat on Orange Street is coming together with Anna and Eddie putting the final touches on their home. As Anna puts it, “The house really looks pretty with a new suit of clothes on it.” … Continue reading