Dear Bob[1] –
It’s
been quite a while since I wrote a V-Mail letter[2],
so perhaps I’d better get back into it. I have a few clippings to send you but
they will have to come later.
We
had a fine visit with Billie over the week-end. She came in Saturday night and
left Monday morning. Says all the family is fine – Johnny[3] is
growing like a weed and that mamma gards[4]
all the time and enjoys it. I have a picture of mamma that I took when she was
down here and will send it along. It’s jumbo size and I’ll have a small sized
one made for you.
I
called Aunt Beth yesterday and will be seeing her Sunday. We are going to go to
Gardena for the day. Lucy & Ed are expecting Dave back but I doubt if he
will have reached home yet[5].
Radio
item just reported that Ernie Pyle had been killed. Hope it is a false report.
He is so well-liked everywhere[6].
Take
care of yourself.
Love
Lydia[7]
[1]
Addressed to: Lt. Robert B. Richert 0-207169; 99th Bomb Gp 346 Sq.; A.P.O.
520; c/o Postmaster, New York City. Dated April 19, 1945.
[2]
She has sent numerous traditional letters and this probably refers to the
smaller size and quicker delivery of the V-mail making it more a distinctive experience.
[3]
My Uncle John, Robert’s nephew by his brother Paul.
[4]
Transcription uncertain. Previous letters do mention BBR gardening, so perhaps
this is the abbreviation. Maybe it is a reference to babysitting John.
[5]
Unknown references, but by context, Dave is might be a son coming home from the
service.
[6]
Alas, the report was true and he was killed on a Pacific Island. His wartime
dispatches provide incredible insight to the life of the soldier. His dispatch “The
Death of Captain Waskow” is one of the most moving things I’ve ever read.
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