1944 May

Wednesday

3 May 1944

Somewhere in the Pacific

Dear Sanfords, 

Today is our day off because we worked last Sunday.  Monday night I got your letter written on the 7th of April.  A boat load of old mail must have come in that day because I had a letter from Mom the day before which was dated April 20th.  All mail has been very irregular but they say it will straighten out soon.  I sure hope so because one day I have a letter from Dorothy written the 19th and then I get one written the 10th.

Its raining here today so I have been staying pretty close to our tent where it is nice and dry.  You would like the climate over here but I can’t say that I 

would like to spend my life here.  Anyone over here that has a camera will have some nice pictures to show to his kids after this war is over because there is plenty of scenery etc. that would make good pictures.

You mentioned that if I wanted anything I would have to request it.  You can’t buy any candy or cookies over here so if you have any laying around in the corners I’d certainly appreciate it.  I’ll put a request on a separate sheet of paper that you can use if you want.

Enlisted men may request packages up to five pounds.  Officers may be sent packages up to 70 lbs. without a request. It has to be marked ‘Officers Accessories’ on the outside.  Of course it should contain clothing or “what have you” but Dorothy is going to include some candy and cookies—at least I asked her too and I think she will comply.

You must have a smart “bunch” of kids.  Arlene must have done okay to get straight A’s and be Editor -in-Chief of the Annual.  Geneva missed the honor roll once, huh?  How about you, Dwane, are you smart too, or are you the black sheep of the family?  thanks for the card, Dwane. If Donnie was afraid of your pet lamb he’ll have to come out and see it more often so he’ll get used to it.

For entertainment around here there is a movie every other night and a few ball games but the towns or villages have very little to offer. Lately, Ive been amusing myself by playing checkers with my “tentmate”.

You have probably notices my F’s in this letter I used to make them correctly but I started writing so fast while in college that my letters went all directions because all that was necessary was that I be able to read my own notes.

A six-page letter is a masterpiece for me.  I’ll try to answer all your letters but I hope you keep writing even if you don’t get an answer.

Love,

Arnold

P.S. The request————————————

Will you please send me some cookies and candy.

Arnold B. Nelson

2nd Lt. Inf.

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V-MAIL

Dated May 28, 1944

Dear Roy, Selma and “kids”,

Another Sunday in Kauai with the sun making me a couple of shades darker every Sunday afternoon.  We go swimming quite often as everyone must be able to swim and the sun and the salt spray down on the beach really changes ones color.

I got your letter of May 12th yesterday. Sometimes the mail gets here in six or seven days but that one must have come by boat.  Dwane looks pretty good with his hair like that.  His hair is so thick that that is probably the only way he can handle it.  A lot of the fellows in this outfit have haircuts like that. On one has hair longer than 1 1/2 inches.  Arlene’s picture is also good.

You need not send your old camera because my “tentmate” has a camera and the film is fairly easy to get over here.  Pictues have to exposed and censored here.  Whats “gotten” into those kids around there (DonaldP.) If I want anything from you other than …………..unreadable……………

with love

Arnold

in the same envelop  28 May 1944

Dear Arlene,

I ran out of room in the letter to the whole family so here goes with another V-MAIL.  I see you are keeping up the honors of the family.  Keep it up.  Dorthy said she received an announcement.  She has to take one of everything on that side of the ocean.

11

In my other letter I mentioned sending “stuff” to me I don’t remember what I wrote to you before.  Clothes etc, can be sent to me as Officers accessories but I must ask for candy, cookies, etc. I should have a lot of the way because everyone says they have sent some.

It most be raining in South Dakota about as much as it rains here.  It will dry up some day so you wont get web feet.  What are they reaching those kids in school when Donald Pinney  tried what he did?  Take care of yourself.

your cousin in Kauai

Arnold