Jan 15 1945 Dear Fr. Walt, Sr. Luca, Fr. Damien, Rosie, Aletha, Cletus, Alvena, Eddie, Rovin Robbin, Kadette Marce, and G. I. Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . BR . . Br . . . brrr, The old weatherman has sure given us a goodly share of snow and cold; enough is enough we say as were ashamed to tell you just how many times the Ford was stuck in the snowdrifts (and also the Dodge). Anyway the home-fronters have been pretty quiet these past two weeks recuperating from the holiday season and trying to keep warm. It’s kinda early yet to tell whether any New Years resolutions have been broken but we assume that you fellows still receive plenty of letters as the home front certainly receive their share. The first letter of the New Year was the Christmas letter from Frater Damien, and it was full of good wishes and prayers for all. In his letter he described the beautiful ceremonies of the holiday season at Gethsemani where the altars and chapels were so very wonderfully decorated with evergreens and also the number of cribs especially the one which contained about one-half ton stones, thirty square feet of moss, a dozen evergreens, and fifty or sixty statuettes and miniature sheep and a creek running thru it. Thanks for that letter, Fr. Damien, from the tone of your letter you certainly must have had a heavenly Xmas. And Fr. Walts letter of Christmas Eve also tells of the Christmas ceremonies somewhere in Italy, which were decidedly a little different. Three of the chaplains in that vicinity had a Solemn High Mass for the men at midnight, but preceding the Mass for a half hour they had the singing of Christmas hymns and carols and it was really an inspiration to hear a large group of men sing. . Fr. Walt also wishes to thank all the folks for the packages so many kindly and thoughtfully sent which helped to make the Christmas season more prolonged and homey . . (The articles you asked for were mailed to you last week.) Haven’t heard much from G. I. Lee except one little bity letter dated December 31, which says he did have a Merry Christmas anyway even though they had a wet Christmas instead of white as it rained on Sunday and Monday. Lee says thanks for all those letters, cards, etc. he received from youse guys. The latest missive from Rovin Robbin is dated January 11th and he writes . . . I am completely processed and ready to move at any time, but at present our flyin-pants factory is having her face lifted a bit and getting the latest gadgets plus a few minor changes. By the way, he has a new address which is: G-1, 1-5, Crew 310-3, % P. O. K.A.A.F. Kearney, Nebraska. (We’re sorry if it messes up your address list, but watch for another elsewhere in this issue.) Bob, we did receive the jacket, and the other packages you sent so dont worry about them. From Mexico, Kadette Marce sends a postal card to let us know that he celebrated the holidays there. Marce received a two-day pass for Christmas and visited some very nice people in Mexico and said he would write the details later but so far no details have arrived. (How about it, Marce?) However, he still is stationed at Corpus Christi. The lucky so-and-so, etc., etc. M. P. Cletus has been moved again and glad to say it still isnt so far from 1811 Crescent. This time its to Detroit (no, hes not a clerk for Montgomery-Ward, nor is he delivering their catalogs). He hasnt had time yet to look his new quarters over yet, but we do have his new address: 728th M. P. Batt. Camp River Rouge, Detroit, Michigan. No letters from the Vlasatys lately but we imagine they are snow-bound although we did receive word from Alvena since she went back; no it was two words we received, arrived safe. Say, whats the matter, is everybody up there got a broken arm, or is it a paper shortage . . . . The Kohnes at Decatur are probably snowbound also, as we havent heard from them these past couple weeks. Let’s hear some news from that direction; phone, wire or write us a letter or card, anything, just so we know whats cooking down that way. Sarge Eddie, how are you this fine morning? We have had no direct word from Eddie since the last issue, but MaryEllen tells us that he is ok and trying hard to keep out of mischief. Kenny Junk, U.S.M.C. writes from the middle of the Pacific where he is working on planes, to tell us that he too enjoys the Breeze. No, Kenny we do not know what you look like but, to be sure, we were glad to get your letter and more than glad to send you the Breeze. But come to think of it Junk is a very odd name and now that it is practically scattered all over the world its harder than ever to keep track of so much of it. Let’s hear from you again and because your name is Junk, we wouldnt stop your subscription to the Breeze for anything. -- Kenny’s brother, Donald who was wounded in Germany, is now home on furlough before going back to the Billings General Hospital. (Well, Don, we hope you wont have to stay at that place very long.) A very cheerful letter from Pvt. Jerome Braun stationed near Paris, who says, I am still kicking around the town yet taking life as it comes as something always happens to keep a person on his toes. Glad to hear from you again, Jerome. From somewhere in Germany a letter dated December 13th and received January 4th from Jim Poinsatte who sends his best holiday wishes to all the Junks, and says that there is nothing exciting to report except mud and rain, and rain and more mud. Another letter from Jack Skevington, now in England and he says that Bill Sk. is also near him but so far he hasnt seen or heard from him. Jack says the worst thing about the country there is the weather as they certainly have plenty of rain and also plenty of rain. Short but sweet is another letter from Paul Deininger who tells us of another visit with Fr. Walt. Paul, why not ask for a transfer to his outfit. How did you celebrate the Christmas holidays? Let’s hear some more from you. . . . It was the biggest surprise of my life. So says Donald Chandler, who is stationed in Italy, and here’s the story . . . . This afternoon I was reading by the fire when in comes a Captain all bundled up in his battle jacket and in a very loud and chummy voice says, Wheres Don Chandler. I jumped up and said Here, Sir. He came up and extends a hand and says, How are you and so I shakes hands kinda dumfounded and says O.K. By this time the Captain had his coat off and was making himself at home, then I noticed he was a Chaplain. Finally, I said I’m sorry but Im in the fog as to you are. Wellll!!! All he said was that he had a Jeep that he named the JUNK BREEZE. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Fr. Walt. He was quite a stranger to me of course since I hadnt seen him since I served at his first Mass at Precious Blood. We had a swell talk that afternoon and its an afternoon I’ll not soon forget. Thanks for that letter Don, also thanks to your Mother, as she too wrote us all about it. We hope you two get together again and often. Pvt. George McKenzie has been transferred to Ft. Meade, Maryland after spending a furlough visiting relatives and friends. His brother Paul is still somewhere in the Pacific with the Marines. MM/3c Nelson Spice has been reported missing in action since October 15th. He was aboard the submarine Harder. His twin brother Edward also is on submarine duty in the Pacific and Ronald is with the Seabees in the Marianas. THE SCORES (not bad) --- January 2 - Pistons defeated Sheboygan 54 - 39, in a loosely played affair and pretty rough in spots especially in the closing stages January 3 - Yea, C. C. defeated Ossian, 35 - 34, a shot from the center of the court by Canfield with 12 seconds to go gave C. C. a slim one point win January 3 - Pistons trimmed Chicago 73 - 62, at the Chicago Coliseum January 5 - North Side beat South Side Archers 35 - 22, making it the third victory for the Redskins in city competition January 10 - Pistons trimmed the Oshkosh All-stars in an overtime game with final score 53 - 48 January 12 - North Side Redskins downed C. C. H, S. by 40 - 37 January 12 - Concordia defeated Huntington 30 - 18 January 12 - Auburn defeats Central Tigers 56 - 35 January 12 - Mishawaka s Cavemen smashed N.S. Reds, 37 - 36 January 12 - C.C.H.S. falls before Dunkirk 44 - 33 in a rough game marred by 33 fouls January 12 - South Side Archers defeated the Calumet District team 30 - 25 That’s all the scores for the past two weeks. (Are there any special ones; if so just yell and well get them for you.) It’s time to get this to the printers so well be a seein ya in two weeks with more news, etc. Since we havent had any poetry for some time here goes: I have to write a little verse, But that is hard to do, The first line always is the worse, I’ve found that to be true. Now four more lines would help a lot, This isnt so much fun, I know my verse is not so hot, But gosh, Im glad its done (?) Love from, The Home Front
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:23:48 +0000
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