Author Archives: John
Fala Will Have Four More Years
November 2, 8 and 14, 1944: Dad writes a few letters home from Topeka Army Air Base. The weather is turning colder in Topeka and he is just getting over “a very slight cold”. As has been his practice, he sends some money home detailing “two money orders totaling 145. If anyone asks about the … Continue reading
Marlene Sang a Few Songs
October 6 and 28, 1944. There are only two letters in the archives from Stanley for the month of October 1944. As you recall, Stanley is stationed in Deenethorpe, England where he is in an administrative support role with the 613th Squadron of the 401st Bomb Group. The letter of the 6th is a relatively short one … Continue reading
The News on the Home Front
October 29, 1944: Anna writes a long letter to her brothers. She notes that October is an auspicious month for her having turned 25, her and Eddie celebrating their anniversary, not to mention that little Terry turned two. She writes that even she forgot about the anniversary and that “Eddie was downstairs washing walls and … Continue reading
I Believe I Will Remember Him
October 24, 29 and 31, 1944: Dad writes a few letters home from Topeka Army Air Base where he is still stationed with the Headquarters Squadron of the 270th AAF Base Unit (SW). Despite it being the end of October, Topeka is seeing high temperatures in the 80s. He mentions that he spent the 24th … Continue reading
Our Savings are Melting Away Fast
October 15 and 19, 1944: Anna writes two letters to her brothers. Most of her time is spent getting the downstairs apartment ready. Anna and Eddie started to move mom and pop’s stuff upstairs. “Eddie brought two of his friends from the shop and they helped him carry up the stove, Frigidaire and washing machine … Continue reading
In the Sharpshooter Class
October 13 and 19, 1944: Dad writes two relatively short letters home from Topeka Army Air Base. The weather recently in Topeka has been “marvelous…similar to what you have up there” in New York. On the 13th he takes the day off “and played golf with 3 other fellows.” He “did well on the first … Continue reading
They Thought it was the Navy Practicing
October 6 and 10, 1944. Dad writes two letters home from Topeka Army Air Base, just having “got into Topeka 7:45” on the night of the 5th after a two week furlough. He writes that the furlough was “the best one of the three furloughs I had.” He fondly recalls “the wonderful time I had … Continue reading
News on the Home Front
October 6 and 9, 1944: Two letters from Anna to her brothers. Dad’s furlough is finished and he is back at Topeka Army Air Base after two weeks home in Albany, NY. Things are getting back to normal on Orange Street, despite the work being done on the upstairs apartment. Anna writes, “Anthony has already … Continue reading
A Darn Good Break
September 12, 1944: Dad writes one last letter home from Topeka before heading out on his furlough. As Dad tells it, his furlough “…will last for 15 days plus 4 or 5 days additional for travelling time. …I’ll be straggling home around the early part of Saturday morning or at any rate it will be on Saturday. … Continue reading