Friday 18, Jun
Dearest Jeannette,
Want to thank you so much for making my stay in L.A. so very wonderful. You're sweet, wonderful and everything else for spending so much time with me on such short notice. Been wanting to write to you since coming “home,” but didn't want to chance missing you at home.
Just think! In a way we are both tourists. My trip will be just a little more extended than yours. Oh well, everyone cannot be as fortunate as I am so please don't envy me. Remember your little fears while in L.A. about going it alone? I imagine in this short time you have adapted your self and are raising hell with the ["male" deliberately struck out] female population of the island. I imagine that Lil left quite a reputation all over the islands, so you will be expected to live up to the tradition. Will they be surprised! And I hope no one calls you Lil as I know how much that pleases you. My imagination! I can see it now…you should come back quite the “woman” and pursued by the island boys as Lil was. Wonder if you will find a Raymond also??? And then there's school – damn it!! Something has to spoil the fun. It's not fair at all. You will be having all the fun while I'll be seriously devoted to my work. So what if Tokyo is the sin capital of the world, so what if there will be plenty of broads available and liquor cheap. Not for me, no sir, I am dedicated to soldiering, and it's a well known fact that soldiers would rather write letters home, save money and act as good examples of dignified Americans. That's probably what will happen – I'll have a very boring time of it just as you did ––– prior to Hawaii. I am sure of one thing – and I'll say this with all sincerity…I’ll miss you a whole lot. It's been quite a long time since we have really known each other. You were fifteen then and when I see you again you'll be nineteen. I agree with everyone when they say you are very sweet. Don't change too much.
It seems even the cadre must be harassed in this army. It's been real close whether we ship out this Saturday or not. Today, Friday, the final word came, we will ship out – all 26 of us from this company of 240. The rest are being sent to Camp Erwin, tank corp training, 100 miles from L.A. Tough luck on them. Our shots were all mixed up, and it seems as if each hour they were changing our departure date. Those shots, 4 at one time! I am now classified as a linguist in an infantry outfit, if that means anything. I regret very much that I cannot remain as a cadre. What a tough life this is being a cadre. Yesterday I felt tired so I locked the door to my private room and slept all day, got up in the late afternoon because I was hungry and crowded into the chow line. Where were the other men? Why, they were all out on work details all day naturally; then I restricted them for the evening because their rifles were dirty. They had some poor excuse about having no time to clean their weapons because they were on details, but me being very fair and understanding, I made them stay. Talking with you has changed me into a soft-hearted cadre because I consented to let them go after the rifles passed my inspection. Tomorrow when I receive my orders I will sneak out the back way. Enclosed is one of the pictures taken at Hunter Liggett. It’s what the well-dressed cadres are wearing today.
You forgot something…or did you? I'll be at Ft. Lewis approximately two weeks I hope you saved some of those pills for me, but most all I would like very much to hear from you. And if you should send Band-aids, please send the giant size, as I hear the insects are larger over there. Oh yes, you can send me something else too – this is a direct order – you will enclose a photo of yourself since I have sent you two already.
So you were crazy about my hair?… Hey! knew you would like it. I guess you're but human like all the others. You couldn't get it out of your mind. Wonder what I will bring back to show you from the Far East. “Hmmm” wonder what the popular hair color is over there. Anyway I knew all the time that you were jealous because you didn't have two colors in your hair. Running out of everything now paper, words and time so I'll end it here and wait for your letter.
Seriously. I would like a picture of you.
Wally
P.S. Will send you address as soon as I can.
Want to thank you so much for making my stay in L.A. so very wonderful. You're sweet, wonderful and everything else for spending so much time with me on such short notice. Been wanting to write to you since coming “home,” but didn't want to chance missing you at home.
Just think! In a way we are both tourists. My trip will be just a little more extended than yours. Oh well, everyone cannot be as fortunate as I am so please don't envy me. Remember your little fears while in L.A. about going it alone? I imagine in this short time you have adapted your self and are raising hell with the ["male" deliberately struck out] female population of the island. I imagine that Lil left quite a reputation all over the islands, so you will be expected to live up to the tradition. Will they be surprised! And I hope no one calls you Lil as I know how much that pleases you. My imagination! I can see it now…you should come back quite the “woman” and pursued by the island boys as Lil was. Wonder if you will find a Raymond also??? And then there's school – damn it!! Something has to spoil the fun. It's not fair at all. You will be having all the fun while I'll be seriously devoted to my work. So what if Tokyo is the sin capital of the world, so what if there will be plenty of broads available and liquor cheap. Not for me, no sir, I am dedicated to soldiering, and it's a well known fact that soldiers would rather write letters home, save money and act as good examples of dignified Americans. That's probably what will happen – I'll have a very boring time of it just as you did ––– prior to Hawaii. I am sure of one thing – and I'll say this with all sincerity…I’ll miss you a whole lot. It's been quite a long time since we have really known each other. You were fifteen then and when I see you again you'll be nineteen. I agree with everyone when they say you are very sweet. Don't change too much.
It seems even the cadre must be harassed in this army. It's been real close whether we ship out this Saturday or not. Today, Friday, the final word came, we will ship out – all 26 of us from this company of 240. The rest are being sent to Camp Erwin, tank corp training, 100 miles from L.A. Tough luck on them. Our shots were all mixed up, and it seems as if each hour they were changing our departure date. Those shots, 4 at one time! I am now classified as a linguist in an infantry outfit, if that means anything. I regret very much that I cannot remain as a cadre. What a tough life this is being a cadre. Yesterday I felt tired so I locked the door to my private room and slept all day, got up in the late afternoon because I was hungry and crowded into the chow line. Where were the other men? Why, they were all out on work details all day naturally; then I restricted them for the evening because their rifles were dirty. They had some poor excuse about having no time to clean their weapons because they were on details, but me being very fair and understanding, I made them stay. Talking with you has changed me into a soft-hearted cadre because I consented to let them go after the rifles passed my inspection. Tomorrow when I receive my orders I will sneak out the back way. Enclosed is one of the pictures taken at Hunter Liggett. It’s what the well-dressed cadres are wearing today.
You forgot something…or did you? I'll be at Ft. Lewis approximately two weeks I hope you saved some of those pills for me, but most all I would like very much to hear from you. And if you should send Band-aids, please send the giant size, as I hear the insects are larger over there. Oh yes, you can send me something else too – this is a direct order – you will enclose a photo of yourself since I have sent you two already.
So you were crazy about my hair?… Hey! knew you would like it. I guess you're but human like all the others. You couldn't get it out of your mind. Wonder what I will bring back to show you from the Far East. “Hmmm” wonder what the popular hair color is over there. Anyway I knew all the time that you were jealous because you didn't have two colors in your hair. Running out of everything now paper, words and time so I'll end it here and wait for your letter.
Seriously. I would like a picture of you.
Wally
P.S. Will send you address as soon as I can.
Summer of ‘54: The Scene | 1: Al: Have I been busy | 2: Jigi: Orchid leis | 3: Lil: Go crazy, kid 4: Wally: Don’t change | 5: Ron: Damn nice of you | 6: Mom: A grand success | 7: Mom: My fashion plate | 8: Lil: Who’d’ve understood? | 9: Jigi: The sexy bastard | 10: Mom: That gleam and glow | 11: Mom: So proud of you | 12: Al: Fast Casanova | 13: Lil: Free coaching | 14: Mom: Simply heartbroken | 15: Al: Most scandalous | 16: Lil: Men!! | 17: Jigi: Gush it up | 18: Mom: Keep it to yourselves | 19: Lil: Bitter today | 20: Lil: Your future brother-in-law | 21: To the convent | The Anniversary Party