page 2 of 5/3/42
The mail from Alaska this week revealed the fact that Ced, inspired by war customs, has been building up a reserve of letters and launched quite a heavy barrage all at once. Rusty added an epic of humor which caused great grins but had to be suppressed from general perusal by feminine eyes. It was sort of a “low–down” on Ced’s activities and it was quite far down, at that. It will make good reading when Dan next shows up in these here parts. Ced’s letter, containing an interesting installment number two on his rescue expedition, a birthday letter to Lad, and news that these two ex—New Englanders have again moved, forsaking their cabin for more prosaic quarters in town. We were all much relieved to hear from Ced and to know he is O. K. and has nothing new to report armywise, a message to Carl, which has been dutifully delivered, and a comment on improved radio programs complete a very brief summary of his letter. Shoot em’ along as you write ‘em, old scout, and don’t hold out on us for so long a period, please.
Yesterday Lad got notice from his draft board to appear for another physical examination this coming Tuesday and in another envelope, a formal notice to report for duty in the US Army at Derby, Conn., R. R. station on May 15th. If his company succeeds in getting a further deferment for him, as they will probably try to do, it may alter his plans, which are to go to New York soon and find out what he can do about enlisting in the Naval Reserves.
Barbara, I hear, received a letter from Dan, in which he states that if posterity inquires what he was doing to help win the war, they should be told he was planting flowers in front of the Roanoke Rapids Armory.
Mr. Burnham writes he is back in New York again with his old advertising agency. He does not say where he is living or whether the family came back also, but I heard a rumor that he had bought back his old Larchmont Gardens house again.
Among minor items of interest is the fact that Monday, I registered, along with other oldsters, at Center School, the apple blossoms are in full bloom and the lilacs are within a day or two of coming out. Next week I suppose I will have to apply for sugar rationing cards and the week following, gasoline rationing starts. Dick has not got his retreaded tires yet but hopes to do so this week.
Aunt Betty is enclosing a violet, which she picked herself for you from the cement Terrace flower bed, and with this gentle little thought, I will bring this May Day letter to a close.
DAD
The rest of this week will be devoted to Lad’s entrance into Uncle Sam’s Army.
On Saturday and Sunday, I’ll post more Special Pictures.
On Monday, I’ll begin a week of letters written in 1944, as the year nears the end.
Judy Guion
"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons 