World War II in the Words of My Uncle: April 9, 1944 "Easter Sunday" (Post #39)

60 Days

Northern Ireland

April 9, 1944

-Easter-

ST JOHN: Chapter 20

My Dearest Mother,
With this letter goes my wishes that "The Easter Spirit" may be with you, Dad and all not that it should make you happy but instead but be a guiding Spirit, to give you new hope and courage to hold out until that great day when Peace will once more return to earth. May the Spirit be with you in the year head.
Easter finds me well with the day off for a change. Only pray that all are well at home. I just came back from church, yes it made me think. No, we didn't have a big church with Easter Lilies and all the new Easter bonnets, just the same old O.D. (olive drab) color with the same uniform. We had other things on our mind besides new clothes. As one reads in "The Book of Books" these words, Peace on Earth good will toward Man. This is the great day we boys are dreaming of when the sun comes over the hills on another Easter Morn, may our dreams come true.
Have here four letters from you. These were letters with great courage. Received with great joy the news that Dad's eyes are better, also the news about Eugene. Tell my brother to keep up his courage as I know at times it must be hard. Mom, I agree with you, your old man is the best side kick in the world, you couldn't find a better one, he sure has been good in every way.
Mom, I give up, so Charlie Hayden is going to be married and to a school teacher. Say there may be hope for me yet, ha ha.
You were asking about those war bonds. All of them now will be for $50.00. You see the war department changed the system and started over. All money up to that time not taken up in bonds was stopped when the new system started and bonds were made out for what was left. They made out as large a bond as possible and sent a check for whatever was left over. I think they should have sent you a small check. This change took place about a year ago. Guess they just got around to fixing them up. Do you understand it all now? Write if you don't.
About my radio, Mom. I'm mad at you and going to give you heck. Why didn't you use it. I didn't think you could get the batteries or I would have told you before. Use it now if you like.
Gee, I'm glad you're fixing the bathroom and floor. Also that brother got such a nice ventilator, that's one fellow believes in doing a job right when you do it. Everything is okay about the house but feel Eugene should have the most. If he has a good farm started I would let him have it or my part as I'll always have a place to go when I get old if not married. I wouldn't be surprise to see Eugene buy all McCullen land someday if he could, that would make quite a farm.
Mom, you ask Joe about the mail rate as I don't think that applies to persons sending mail overseas.
I got Eugene's V-letter and I could read it. This is your letter here you wrote at the same time.
What a surprise when I saw that Service Club paper. Sure made me think of the cold winter I spent there. (Camp McCoy)
Hope you can get that knife from S.C. as I feel it must be a good one, just about what I want.
Ha, ha that was some joke about Lewis but why laugh at that, don't forget about Billy Boy had kittens. Ha, ha, ha, ha a little joke that hits a little nearer home. Time out must go to chow.--------
Here I am back from chow, feel good but some times it seems long between meals and one gets pretty hungry. I still think it's best not eating between meals as it gives your stomach a rest, also you eat more at chow time.
I have on my O.D. (you know what I mean) and that sweater the girls at the mill gave me instead of a blouse. Gee, the boys in the hut sure have their eyes on it, one wanted to buy it seeing I had two of them but I said "no smoke" I'm also fixed good for socks now.
It's time to sign off as news is low but hope this letter finds you all well. I'm okay and don't worry. Remember every cloud has a silver lining and you can't cross a bridge until you reach it. Love to all in the little white house on the hill.
Love
Son Charles