Trumbull – Dear Backsliders – Grandpa Responds to Marian – April 30, 1944

The letters I’ll be posting this week were written in the spring of 1944. Lad is at Camp Santa Anita training vehicle maintenance personnel, Dan is in London helping to plan for D-Day as a civil  engineer and surveyor, drawing maps for the invading forces, Ced is in Anchorage, Alaska, retrieving downed planes, repairing them and maintaining the fleet of airplanes for the Army, Dick is in Brazil as an MP and acting liaison between the Army and the local workers and Dave is at Camp Crowder, Missouri, finishing up advanced Basic Training.

           Alfred Duryee Guion

Trumbull, Conn. April 30, 1944

Dear Backsliders:
Save a little verse from Marian (about which more later) this is the second week that has passed without hearing a word from any of my five absentees. Now, I ask you, how can I quote from letters received if there are no letters received?
Last week about the time I was appending a little verse to my letter to you boys, Marian was indicting a little verse to me, to wit::

4/22/1944
Dear Dad,
In the letter we received last week
there was a certain reference,
made to the fact that we had shown
a very distinct preference!
We didn’t know – (we’ve been away
from Trumbull quite a spell.)
That Dad had reached the well-known stage
that even “best friends won’t tell”!
He seems to think that a sweet sachet
will help his cause a bit.
But frankly, Dad, we think you’ll find
that there is something you forgot !
So we are sending with this note
the things we think you need,
we know your friends will all return
if only you take heed.
And use a little every day
of each and every one.
With best regards from daughter-in-law
and ever loving son.

To which the following the reply is respect fully submitted:

That’s done it. Now the lid is off.
Aunt Betty and Jean know
The reason you sent them sachet –
You think they have B.O.

And by the selfsame reasoning
The hanky, I should say
Implies they both have fevers
That flaunt the name of “hay”.

Another thing — the envelope
By Marian duly panned
Says: from “T/3 A. Guion”
As if these words would lend

An aura of great probity
And in advance, defend
Our Marian from the wrath to come
By blaming “friend husband.”

However, judgment is reserved
In my case, till receipt
Of alleged package, now en route,
I must, without deceit

Admit, as one thing not forgot —
The height of all my joys
In having safe at home again
Not friends, but all my boys.

And now this bit of doggeral
Should meet a timely end
And what more fitting that it be
The vehicle to send

To Marian, and to “T/3 (who
We best know here as “Lad”)
In spite of all we’ve said — our best.
Aunt Betty, Jean and Dad.

Now a quick glance at the meager home news of the week. Art Mantle is home. His nerves seemed to be a bit shot but otherwise is O.K. He has 30 days leave. I have not seen him yet. Biss, her two kids, Aunt Betty and yours truly went to see “Snow White” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_%28Disney%29 )yesterday.
Since eight o’clock this morning I have been as busy as the proverbial bee, clearing the back flower bed of stones, dumping several loads of raked up leaves, putting tar on the laundry roof where it leaks, replacing numbers on storm sashes to match frames where they had come off, cleaning out the furnace, besides getting dinner, etc.
We have as our guest Jean’s friend, Ann, from New Hampshire. Early yesterday morning they left for New York to paint the town red, stay overnight at a hotel and come home, sometime.
A letter from Barbara (Plumb) “somewhere in Italy” says: “I am well — gaining weight at a rate I don’t like to think about — enjoying everything I’m seeing and experiencing so very much. Overseas WACS, from all reports, are doing their jobs well. I saw Col. Hobby in North Africa and she certainly is absolutely charming — completely a woman. I’d never seen her before and didn’t know quite what to expect.”
My strenuous day in the outdoors, while but child’s play for you youngsters in the pink of condition, has made my bones a bit weary, do let’s call it a day, and hope the mailman will give me some quotable material for next week’s screed.
Signed
Creaky bones.

Tomorrow, a letter from Lad and Marian and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, another letter from Grandpa.

Judy Guion

World War II Army Adventure (36) – A Letter From Another Friend – June 13, 1944

 

David Peabody Guion

6 Fayerweather Terr.

Bridgeport, 5  Conn.

June 13 – 44

Hi Dave,

I suppose you don’t remember me. I’m Fran Moore’s right hand helper. Remember? You’ve seen me gloating up Bassick. Dot Topolski gave me your address so I just had to write.

I hear you know most of my friends in Trumbull. Sayers and Millie Osterberg. They all go to my church. I had the yearbook down church and that’s when we all found out who who was.

I do hope the Army has been treatimg you ok. We had a grand time at class day exercises. We missed all you boys who could not be with us.

You haven’t heard anything from Fran, or the gang, have you? Fran is supposed to be coming home this week from college. I hope so.

The swimming has been good though the water is quite cold. I bet Pine Brook is just great this time of year.

Every thing around here is just about the same, except, as you might have guessed, Jack and Barbara Young, in 1954, will have twins. At least according to the prophesy. They made a grand jumble out of the seniors.

The picture of you in the year book is very cute. When you get home, you’ll have to put your John Hancock to it.

I’m afraid I’m a punk one for writing. I don’t know what you’d like to hear. The kids are all over so it’s hard to keep taps on them.

If you get a spare moment, drop me a line and let me know how things are with you.

Best of Every Thing,

Ethel Sjoberg

Can you read it?

P.S. Fran just called. Sends her regards.

Tomorrow, I will begin a week of letters from 1944. All five of Grandpa’s sons are serving Uncle Sam in one capacity or another.

Judy Guion

World War II Army Adventure (35)- Letter From Jim McClinch, United States Navy – June 15, 1944

My uncle, David Peabody Guion, enlisted in the Army and was sworn in on January 15th, 1944. He is currently at Camp Crowder, Missouri.  It seems that Dave will have missed seeing Jim McClinch and Stanley Feller when he gets to Trumbull.

David Peabody Guion

Thursday    15-44

Dear Dave,

Well, I left dear old Sampson and got myself 5 days delayed orders. I had a hell of a time for 5 whole days, and here’s why, Stanley Feller was home.First time in 17 months and I was out with him for 5 whole days.

I’m telling you, Dave, I saw more women in those 5 days than I did in my whole life. God Damn, but Stan has turned to be an awful wolf. And he is funnier than all hell.

This place is a hell hole and don’t let anyone tell you any different. We hav to take more shit here than we had to take at Sampson for 6 months. And it also is a filthy place. The damn walls are alive with cock roaches and other undesirable insects.

In about 5 minutes I’ll have to go out anad run my ass of ragged for about 2 hours. — Physical Marching, you know. I’ll be a physical wreck before I leave this place. — believe me.

Give a little prayer that I get assigned to a ship and to hell off thhis base — it’s driving me batty.

There goes that damn bugle so I’ll have to “shove off” for now, but I’ll be “cruising in” again soon. Write soon, will you, “Salty”?

Your Sailing Buddy,

Jim

Tomorrow, another letter from Ethel Sjoberg.

Judy Guion

 

World War II Army Adventure (34) – Belittling Army Organization – June 7, 1944

 

 

 

 

7 June 1944

Dear Dad – –

Enclosed is a piece of paper which is to be used as a sample for getting me a package of same.  If you can figure out what I mean – you’re a better man than I am.  I started the sentence without first constructing it in my mind – that is the result.  It’s for a T/Sgt. (?) friend of mine – he can’t get any down here.  When (if) I get home I’ll tell you all about him – and also a T/5 that I know.

I got a big kick out of a letter I just got from El (Eleanor Kintop, hid girl back home).  She was belittling Army Organization were not allowing me to come home for graduation.  At the time she wrote it – there was a letter in the mail for her from me saying that I would very likely be home.

Well got to get some chow in my stomach.

Love,

Dave

Tomorrow I will begin a week of letters written in 1939. Both Lad and Dan are still in Venezuela but Lad is no longer working for Inter-America. Dan is still working for Inter-America out in the field but is seriously thinking of heading home in the next few months. Grandpa is fed up with the treatment shown to his two sons and goes on the offensive, starting with letters to Venezuelan Government officials.

Judy Guion

 

 

Trumbull – Dear Doggies (2) – Two Boxes and Local News From Trumbull – April 15, 1945

 

 

Paulette Van Laere

Page 2     4/15/45

Another box was promptly dispatched to you during the week, Dan, which I hope will reach you before the war is over (or do I?). I am sorry to say I was unable to get a table cover of the size you wanted. Howland’s said they had had no oilcloth table covers for over a year. Read’s had one left, quite a bit smaller than you specified but I sent it along anyway. Howland’s had a very poor assortment of needle sizes, Read’s no needles at all, but I’m going to try some other stores. I also included in the box some more postage stamp assortments but the low price makes me wonder if any of the stamps will be of much interest to your perspective brother-in-law. I did succeed in getting two laundry brushes and I also enclosed in the box another of your shirts and a small box of writing paper for Paulette, with the initial V on the sheets.

And while I am on the subject of boxes, I am sending pretty soon one to Dave. I read in Ernie Pile’s account of his landing on Okinawa that he was practically eaten up the first night with mosquitoes, and while it may be that the Army furnishes you boys with mosquito netting, it seemed worth the chance, so I ups and buys enough for one cot cover, but as it did not come very wide, I got a double length so that you can employ some of your time, Dave, in plying needle and thread. Just as a bit of a novelty, I put in Dan’s package and will also include in yours, a can of popping corn and a bottle of oil (I suppose you can get salt) so that to vary the monotony some night, you can have a corn popping party if you can find or devise some form of popper. AND, Dan, this week I also instructed Davis & Hawley to mail to you, insured, a package containing an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The girls are fearful that the size is too small but supposedly the jewelers followed the instructions you sent as to what the ring size should be. I hope both Paulette and yourself will be satisfied with the efforts of the joint purchasing commission which consisted of Marian, Jean and yours truly. Anyway, we think we did pretty well.

In today’s Sunday Post there is a picture of Sgt. Benjamin A. Slauson, and quote: “Mrs. Benjamin A. Slauson, of Main Street, has received word from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, U S A commander, that her son, Staff Sergeant Benjamin A. Slauson, was decorated with the Bronze Star medal in recognition of courageous service to his combat organization. He was cited for heroic achievement in connection with military operation against the enemy at Dulag Harbor, Leyte, P.I., on Nov. 12, 1944. He was a crew member aboard a ship when an enemy airplane made a suicidal dive and crashed into his vessel, killing 89 men and seriously wounding 100 others. When two explosions started fire in the stern, hurling shrapnel and debris about the ship, Slauson and other crew members hastened to the aid of the injured and extricated the wounded from the flames and wreckage and fought fires with shrapnel-riddled hose until a naval vessel came to their aid. Sgt. Slauson enlisted in the service five years ago and has been in the Pacific two years. Prior to entering the service he was employed at the Stanley Works and was a graduate of Bassick High School. He is 25 years of age.”

I also received the following in the mail this week: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Fowler requested the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Mildred Elizabeth, to Ensign Harold Stacy Kercher, U.S.N.R., on Saturday, April 28th at Hamden, Conn.

Tomorrow, I’ll finish the week and this letter.

On Saturday and Sunday, more  of the World War II Army Adventure from Dave.

Judy Guion

 

World War II Army Adventure (32) – Dear Dad – A Daniel Letter – June 4, 1944

 

David Peabody Guion

4 June 1944

Dear Dad —

This is going to be a Daniel letter — short with nothing said by the time I get through. I was just writing my last letter of the day — to El — when, by a bit of conversation, a fellow named Farnum Little happened to mention that his mother’s maiden name was Katherine Louise Guion. She married a fellow by the name of Ernest P. Little. I thought maybe you’d like to transfer this information to your cousin in Washington. Farnum says his mother was born in New Haven.

Love,

Dave

See – I told you there’d be nothing in this letter.

(over)

P.S. — I’ve written to Audrey and invited her up to the house for either Wed. or Thurs. night when I’m home. — O.K.?

Dave

Tomorrow I will begin a week of letters written in 1945. Both Lad and Dan are in France, Ced remains in Alaska, Dick is still in Brazil and Dave in on Okinawa, the Philippines. Grandpa continue to keep everyone informed of the up-to-date activities of other family members and friends.

Judy Guion

Life in Alaska – Dear Ced – One More Request – April 27, 1944

 

Cedric Duryee Guion

Nome, Alaska
April 27, 1944

Dear Ced,
Here we come to the unpleasant matter of Lloyd E Jensen and C Heurlin. What can I say about it? What can I do about it? I ordered them before Xmas and he has just gotten around to making them for me. Pictures this size will be my best sales for the next year over this way and I got six frames in only too insignificant a number with which to carry on, however, invaluable for showing pictures and if I can see them without the frames.
On leaving Anchorage I went out with a clean slate but for a balance of $25 to George Rengard and what I.O.U. I spent $300 in getting straightened out. Sure wish I could have taken care of bill to you but felt I could leave it to the more graceful going away if I squared up with merchants in Anchorage. If you still have faith in this old bum and are able to do something about getting frames for me – send Jensen a money order right away and in it a note to have him ship frames to you. Better use typewriter for that stubborn dumbkoff –

“Kindly ship Mr. Heurlin’s frames to me as soon as possible. He is in the Arctic and has left many pictures with me to frame. I cannot dispose of these paintings for him until they are framed so will greatly appreciate receiving them from you on next boat north.
Sincerely yours
Cedric Guion
Anchorage, Alaska”

I have given you a lot of headaches in the past – this to do and that to do and you never have asked a thing of me. Well, hope you don’t sigh too heavily over this. I have to make close to $1000 in a short time before I go up north. But once there with a year’s grubstake with me, I will start going ahead and with plenty of speed to clear up any debts with you. I have hated like hell to ask another favor of you, but boy! If you could possibly take care of it I will make sure of one thing in the days to come and that will be to see that you come out on top for this last big favor.
I will make arrangements with Gordon McKenzie to pick up these frames from you and get them to me with his careful handling.
Now to take care of one last piece of business and then to hit the sleeping bag.

Rusty

Tomorrow and Sunday, more letters from Dave, a young recruit, working hard to get through his training before being shipped overseas.

Judy Guion