Thanks For The Package - June 15, 1956

Germany
June 15, 1945

Dear Mother,

I'll bet the heat is really bearing down on St. Louis about this time of month. Over here she's a sometimes good and a sometimes bad. The past week we have been dodging rain showers. (darn but I'm having trouble with my spelling)
I received that package today, with the pencils in it. I don't know who to thank for the candy and everything else. So I'll send thanks to You, Puggie, Dad, and Stubby. That should cover the guilty party or parties. My sweet tooth also sends thanks.
The funny papers are coming through pretty regularly. After they make the rounds of the fellows in the room here - down the hall they go until practically every man in the Company has seen them.
I'm sticking in a few pictures we took last winter. Notations on the back will give you some idea when and where they were taken.
I'll close now so I'll have room for the pictures.
Oceans of Love
Kenneth

A Wittle Wabbat - Aug. 15, 1944

Aug. 15, 1944

Dear Mother,

I almost didn't get this letter written. A little character interrupted just as I started writing. We have a Wittle Wabbit here that decided my tent would make a good home. As long as he doesn't eat my hay mattress I shall not care.
I can just guess how Dad feels about the government and their love for changes and moves. He does seem to hit places about that time too. He has the right idea about not leaving St. Louis.
So you found Blackberries way back in June. They are just getting ripe over here. I found a few ripe ones yesterday. Most of them are pretty small - no real big ones like we found in Kansas.
I would like to have seen the Old Man sitting in the middle of the suit case with a mattress on top of him. I'll bet Grandma liked having her hat squashed with all that beef.
I just received your letter of July 3. The description of a night in the Ozarks is very good and just about hits it on the head. It's about the best description I have ever read.
Did Floyd get deferred or does he miss the age limit for the draft now. There for a while he was expecting to be called. I was wondering what happened if anything.

Love to all the family.

Kenneth

I'll Bet It's Warm There - July 22, 1944

July 22, 1944

Dear Mother,

I suppose you are trying to find a cool spot about now - and maybe a nice cold drink - I'll take some of the same.
What does Dad think of the baseball situation? the question is - Can the Brownies hold on to their lead? I guess all St. Louis is asking that question. It'll be some fun if the two St. Louis clubs fight out the world series - Wow! That would be plain dynamite.
I'm enclosing some money you can look at. The fifty francs is French of course. A Franc is worth about two cents at the present.
The other cigar coupon is an English Pound note. It's worth about four dollars in good old greenbacks. I've got money of all kinds, or maybe I should say all kinds of money, and no place to spend it. So I'll be sending some home in a few days.
Did I tell you that we have advanced a step in our return to civilization. We no longer fix our own meals. We have a kitchen set up much like garrison days. There is a little more variety in our meals now.
All of this talk about food brings to mind that I am getting hungry. That combined with the fact that it is now chow time - leads me to the conclusion that this letter will have to be drawn to a close.
I hate to say Good Night so soon - but I must until later.

Love
Kenneth

I Received Your Letters - June 11, 1944

June 11, 1944

Dear Mother,

I just received a couple letters from you - one May 16 and the other May 20. I guess this invasion has made the mail slower than usual.
That picnic you had the last of Dad's vacation sounded real interesting. I would like to have been there. "Cake" it sounds like a word out of the past. It's nice to think of cake made out of real flour again. I'm going to have to stop this dreaming - all it does is give me an appetite.
Grandma must be enjoying her stay in St. Louis. Does the change seem to be doing her any good? Tell her hello for me will you.
You tell that little sister of mine that she should spend some time writing letters instead of draped on the bed reading a book.
I'm enclosing another money order, this one for fifty. I never have time to spend any money so it might just as well be earning interest at home - or buying something we need for the place.
Say as long as you are washing Dad's shirts you might just as well do mine. I don't seem to able to find time myself.
Give my love to Dad, Puggie, Grandma, Stubby, and everybody else.

Love

Kenneth

Thanks For The Pictures-May 16, 1944

May 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Your pictures of the place caught up with me today. From the looks of that view from the hilltop, the name fits to a "T". I have the picture of the spot where the house is to be located. I like the looks of the large trees in front. By the way what the devil is that hanging on the small tree in this picture. It's got me bothered.
Where was Stubby on that trip? I don't see him in any of the pictures. That's unusual unless he stayed at home. That don't sound right either.
St. Louis must be pretty wet from the looks of third street. The water didn't get any ways near you did it? It doesn't know weather to rain or shine over here. This country would run a weather man batty.
You better tell Dad to do something with that misplaced chest of his. If he's not careful he'll get to looking like a first Sargent. And that ain't good!
Your rose received and delicate aroma noted. I was just wonder where the red roses came from if Dad gave you snapdragons and carnations.
I don't think much of those over seas jobs you wrote about. This stuff of seeing the world isn't what it's cracked up to be. Just between you and me there isn't a thing to see over here that you can't see in the good old U.S. Besides somebody should be on the spot when this is all over to start putting our plans into action. I'm hoping Dad can get what he wants around St. Louis.
Love from me to all the family.

Kenneth