Monday
April 9th[1]
Dearest Bob[2].
This
letter may sound like a frivolous social calendar but I thought you might like
to know what the W.S.s[3]
have been doing,
I
gave a surprise buffet supper for Rick[4] on
his birthday (27th) Only the lab people were invited but a total of
13 were here. (Fruit & Veg. div.)[5] It
was a genuine surprise to him & we did have a grand time. He was very
pleased with the attention & many gifts.
Easter
day was beautiful. We took a 3 mile walk along the lake-front & soaked up
lots of sunshine. Our dinner guests arrived hours early in order to drive us
out to Riverside, Ill. We saw friends & their new baby there. Came home to
a grand dinner after which we played ‘Pedro’ & went to bed early.
April
5th we celebrated our 3 yr. mark. The Col (Rick’s boss) gave us a
pheasant to help celebrate. Roast pheasant with wild rice dressing, a quart of
champagne & the last of our precious Benedictine made a festive occasion[6].
We gave ourselves another place setting of silver. Fun!
Saturday,
7th was another lab. party. The Col. is leaving for the S Pac, for 3
mos & there is always a party for him. It was unusually dull & we were
only too happy to leave after we had eaten at 10:00 P.M. Went over to Capt
& Mrs. Rogers’ house & began to feel as tho the evening were not wasted.
We got into one of those profound discussions & totally enjoyed exercising
our brains[7].
Sunday
─ The Rogers came over for dinner & the evening. Very pleasant indeed.
I
have been very busy making spring & summer clothes this past month. Have
made 4 separate outfits so far & have much to go. Women’s clothes have gone
quite high in price & I’m very thankful that I know how to sew well. This
way I can have several outfits where if I were buying my clothes I could only
have one or possibly two[8].
Have
you received any of our packages as yet? Rick sent another last week with prune
juice in it. This will be a change from the pineapple 7 other juices. He has
sent much dried fruits & such. By the way how did you like the flight
lunches[9]?
That is something new. Don’t forget to ask for things.
Rick
is leaving for Austin, Texas for 2 weeks of school next Saturday. I want to go
with him but haven’t decided as yet. There are air fields around there so he
hopes to find the wings you want[10].
We’ve never had any luck around here.
More
another time.
Love,
Marion
[1]
Postmarked 11 April 1945.
[2]
Addressed to: Lt R. B. Richert 02071698; 99th Bm. Gp> 346 Bm.
Sq.; A.P.O.; c/c Postmaster New York, N.Y.
[3]
I believe this is the proper transcription, but unsure of the reference, Women
Service or Walter Samuels? Or have misread it, Walter Richerts, or U.S?
[4]
“Rick” is a nickname that almost all the brothers were called by various
friends at various times.
[5]
Walter worked in the Quartermaster Corp in food science.
[6]
With the food quality in the forward areas always a subject of derision, Robert
might have read this paragraph with additional longing.
[7]
Though couples’ dinner parties and evening discussions still occur, their
frequency was no doubt greater in the era before television and at home movies.
[8]
Even before the wartime scarcity of goods, sewing clothes at home was a skill honed
by frugalness and necessity. The modern consumerism would come after the war.
[9]
Working in the Quartermaster Corp, Walter was able to send Robert test items in
advance of full issue.
[10]
Officers were required to purchase their own uniforms and Robert had been
having trouble finding wings.
[11]
Activity for Robert’s group was being reported more heavily at this time.
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