February 6, 1945

Air Mail From Dip

Feb. 6, 1945, Wed.

Philippines

Dear Mom & Dad –

I now have letters from you dated Dec. 21, 25, 29 and Jan. 1. They came all in a bunch, and you can bet I had a picnic reading all about everyone & everything back at home. Will endeavor to answer all of them in this letter if I’m not interrupted.

First of all I was certainly happy to hear that you all had one of those normal happy Christmases. I didn’t think you had ever, or ever would spend the money to buy one measly orchid when you could get a flock of roses or something for the same price. That’s why I sent it – just to be different. I suppose Dad is smellin’ like roses now with all those bottles of stuff. All of my gifts (and all the other guys were in the same boat) came just a few days before we shoved off for combat. We didn’t have any spare inch of room to pack such things as fruitcakes & candy, so we really had to do some fancy eating. Lots of the boys had to throw food away at the last minute. I’m glad I got mine early enough to eat every last crumb.

I see by your drawing that you have your “Card display” up again this year. Speaking of cards – I really got a kick out of the one from your bridge club. Tell them all I enjoyed it very much & thanks for thinking of me. I noticed a couple of strange names on it, but remember most of them.

In your Dec. 21 letter you remarked about how sad the European war news was then – well how does it look to you now? I hope they’ll have Berlin by the time you read this. The last I heard – Russians only 35 miles away. How about we jokers in the Pacific – we’re really gettin’ on the bull here now.

Got the clipping of Loper – I’m going to save it – by golly I’ll send it along with this letter & you can put it away in my desk.

Was interested to get the latest figures on my finances. Seems if the bank account is growing steadily. The $200 finance check I’m enclosing ought to fatten it a little more. Was just payed two months salary, so I had the Capt. make out a check for me right there. We were paid in the new Victory pesos, at the rate of two pesos per dollar. The paper money is made in different colors for each denomination. I’d like to send you some, but it’s not allowed. They want it all in circulation here. I’ll save some for souvenirs.

That money I’ve saved is going to take me on some nice trips when I get back home. For instance I want to take one out East to see Dot & Arlo – also to take in the New England states & New York. I’ve talked it over with Roge Loper, and he wants to travel out that way too. We’ll get together if at all possible. And then too I’d like to go to Sun Valley, Idaho, or up around Seattle for some real mountain skiing the first winter I’m home. My plans for going back to school haven’t changed up to now. Don’t know whether I’d finish, but I’d like to go for a while anyway. It’s hard for me to decide on the future, because it’s been so long since I was a civilian I don’t remember what it’s like. Oh well – back to your letters.

Your’s of Dec. 29th was really a newsy one. I was certainly interested to hear the latest about R. Christiansen, Lisy, Jones, Swany, Severn, & Michael. I suppose by now Rolie has been home & over to see you. I wish I could be there to greet the guy. Give him my best. Did you ever tell me the particulars about (was it Calvin’s) injury? As I remember you just told me about them getting a cablegram that he was on his way home – seriously injured. Or no – guess he phoned from N.Y. – wasn’t that it, and wouldn’t say what was wrong with him.

You wondered what I was doing on New Years Eve – well now you know. However it was not without it’s celebration. I had a can of Budweiser on board with me, with which I drank “to peace in ’45!”

I wrote to Elaine yesterday – a letter I owed her for quite some time. It’s great that she’s getting along so well in New York. I know now it was a fortunate change of environment for her.

When are you folks going to get some snow? Every letter I get you say it looks like a snowstorm coming, & the next letter it’s the same old story – no snow. Good thing I’m not home – I’d be sick.

Things are going “according to schedule” as MacArthur might say. We are still moving up regularly. I’m still on duty as air observer and really like it. It’s the one job in the Artillery where you can see everything that goes on – on both sides of the lines. The doughboys love to see us overhead, because that pounding that results really clears the way for them. On the other hand the Japs fear them worse than fighters and stay undercover when they see them.

The natives are still supplying us with bananas, eggs, & chickens, so life is pretty sweet. Yesterday morning I had hotcakes & eggs – hmmm! Today they collected 90¢ (180 centavos) from each man for 6 bottles of beer. We expect to get it this afternoon. Will that taste good!

I just built myself a bamboo shelter. You should see it, pretty neat. Made it with a native bolo which I bought for a pr. of pants & a tee-shirt. Good souvenir & a handy tool in these parts.

I’ve got to go up on patrol now, so I’ll say so long. Hope you are OK.

Love, Dorance