Description
343 Friday 12 October 9 pm My dearest darling, I have received my birthday box (started to untie it, then thought better of my action and put it away intact) and another pair of pajamas. Such luxury - I'm still wearing the short pair, and feeling awfully good about going to bed each night. Yesterday while Barry and I were out scrounging I found a perfect Christmas present for Wendy - the more delightful because it fits into a certain scheme of things we have begun to collect. There, now - I mustn't tell you any more - except to say that I am going to refinish it partly before mailing it, but will leave some final touches till I get home. Because it was government property (given to me by an official source, which listed it as discarded) I am taking the precaution [pg 2] of painting my own name on it. Later on we'll paint that over and replace it with Wendy's. I've also a doll for Isabel, and will mail it to you soon. You may open any package on the outside of which directions to the contrary are not written. Evelyn Ball phoned this afternoon to break a date for Tuesday night (we were to double with Barry and a rather pleasant Red Cross girl who's a graduate of the N.Y. School of Social Work); she is leaving tomorrow morning for Saipan, there to await transportation to the States. If it's to San Francisco, she will telephone you collect (probably 4-6 weeks from now). Why don't you ask her to come down and visit you, just in case she has a few free days? This morning I rode a truck again to get 4x4s and other heavy timber, almost [pg 3] snatching it out of the fire which was built to get rid of all [under?] of buildings and scrap in accordance with orders given to departing units by the Island Commander. Today it was the 110th CBs; this afternoon we picked up, among other things, an electric refrigerator which we've turned over to the enlisted men's club. Among other things scrounged recently is a large quantity - 3 or 4 truckloads - of discarded Army clothing, most of it as turned in by enlisted men but some of it new. I picked up 2 pair of khaki pants, slightly worn but each a perfect fit, and four new shirts. The stuff that's been thrown away on this island in the post month would dismay dealers in the U.S. - good clothing, tools, even food in the can, some of it burned at dumps and some thrown into the seas. Probably several hundred [pg 4] thousand dollars worth in all, though perhaps no more than the cost of one B-29. Units are not supposed to throw such stuff away; they do so because they must account for everything that's left over, a process which is time-consuming and fraught with red tape. The men would rather give the stuff away than destroy it, but practically no military unit wants C rations, and those discarding them don't realize that we can use them here. Most of all tho, the men want to get home and the hell with the cost. #419 Golly yourself Sweetie, and nice work. My chief reaction to news of your fire is that you responded beautifully and, impressed with that potential danger, won't be likely ever to leave Wendy alone in the house, even for a few minutes. I'm sure I wouldn't after an [pg 5] experience like that. A brand new jeep just acquired by the fire department? Is it painted red? What fun! 417 (414 418 missing - no mail today) I too have begun to yen for the feel of a city again, preferably a big city, specifically New York - as I picked up a copy of the Sunday Times in the Officers’ Club the other day I got a decided feeling of nostalgia. Gosh, Sweetie, how I’d love to go Christmas shopping [th?] with you! Darling, I do miss you so. It's almost as empty a life for me here as yours there must be. At this point I'm trying to find out all I can about work in Washington. I spent the evening tonight writing a letter [pg 6] to the Chief of the Personnel Division of the Department of State, from whom a few days ago I received a good letter about post war civilian work in the Department. I have the duty tomorrow and must be up early; so I shall say goodnight and jump into our pajamas and make love to you in my dreams as I shall soon be doing for real. Darling, in my love for you lies a whole new image of the world, of little everyday affairs, of human personality and especially of my own - Yours always Warren
