It is a funny thing how slowly we get to become sailors. (Alex) Sept 24, 1943

Whoops, in my posting I missed this letter so it is a few days earlier than the last couple posts. I really love this little section of the letter where Alex gushes over his two girls “Now and then I pull a fast one and I pull out my pictures and say “who wants to see my sweetheart?” All grab for it and they see Cookie and they all praise her, how cute and pretty and so on. Then I show them your Madonna like picture and praises fall galore for you. They all think you are good looking. Of course Cookie cups the cake.” I wish I could see the “Madonna like” photo he’s referring to. Other than the main photo on this blog and a yearbook picture – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen another photo of Sylvia.

Thursday [Sept] 23

Dearest Honey,

It is a habit to write at least a few words to you when I am free, so here it is. 

I feel very fine today my arm doesn’t hurt neither do I have a fever. Day before yesterday and yesterday I felt lousy from the Typhoid injection gave me a big fever and my arm was inflamed, the whole company was sick and still they gave us a tough routine. We had to take all those tests I wrote you about.

It is a funny thing how slowly we get to become sailors, but every day there is a new thing added. For instance, today we began how to drill with arms. I am beginning to have a real military bearing. 

This morning we had to run around our drills field after running half of it we were all out of breath. 

This afternoon we had to go to “small stores” the place were [sic] they give you your uniform, I had get my pants fixed, we had a hell of a good time, because there was no officer to supervise us and we took our own sweet time while the boys were drilling in the field. That is what they call “gold bricking.” While we were there a train pulled out with boys going home so we kidded them and they us. We went back to and the whole company was doing “rifles right shoulder and left shoulder and so on, we

[got] into line and we were doing everything wrong and of course it stood out, so they grabbed us and put us on a special squad to learn what we missed. It was good that the P.O. (petty officer) and sergeant in the army) was so horse and tired out that he gave up and sent us back to the barracks so we had a fine and easy time. 

I wrote to Serena about page four and I am sure she will take care of it, so don’t worry, little Cookie won’t be cold. I am longing to see her and you. 

The boys show around their girls pictures and pass sweet remarks about them, such as “a piece of ??? an of “an breach”  [???] and so on.

Now and then I pull a fast one and I pull out my pictures and say “who wants to see my sweetheart?” all grab for it and they see Cookie and they all praise her, how cute and pretty and so on. Then I show them your Madonna like picture and praises fall galore for you. They all think you are good looking. Of course Cookie cups the cake. 

Well there isn’t much to write about; you are asking what size sweater do I need, don’t knit or have knit any for me right now, more junk we have, more we have to carry. The army boys have to carry a few things and then they have a baggage car. The sailor has to carry all his stuff in a sea bag including his hammock and bedding, so less junk, the better. 

At any rate my measurement is 40 now on my G.I. sweater which is good enough right now. 

Page 3

Some of the boys get packages from home with food and so on. For me the food is OK and even if you something from you, can’t enjoy it because you share it and so no one really enjoys it so if you had any extra money don’t throw it out, but use it on yourself and Cookie. 

I still have but ten dollars left that includes what the government gave me which is $2.60 so by the time I am ready to come back I might have at least my train fare because we get $5.00 here. I don’t spend much because I don’t need anything. About the allotments they haven’t said anything yet, but soon there will be one period when they will explain our rights and to make out the necessary papers (?)

So as you see times marches on, and it’s almost 2 weeks that we are away. 7 more to go and they’ll go buy [si] too. After that I don’t know yet but I hope that they station me near or in NY which is not improbable because NY is one of the biggest ports in the country. 

So my love that is all for tonight I am going to wash up, wash a couple pairs of socks and then hit the hay. 

So millions of kisses and my eternal love my dear, to you and baby I LOVE you I love you I love you, Alex

P.S. Annette wrote me a nice letter which I properly answered. You tell me about Jack who wants to drive you up here, I don’t think it is worth the hardship. You could see me only for four hours in an armory within the sight of all. It’d take about 10 to 12 hours one way in fact longer with the 35 mile limit and the same period back. But of course I can’t stop you because I am not there! So please have a little patience, if our company wins the Rooster, we get two hours off in Geneva. Then it will be worthwhile perhaps, because we might go to a hotel and spend our time in the privacy of a room. That would be heaven but first we got to win the Rooster, I don’t know whether we will or not as yet. I’ll let you know if we do in proper time. 

Millions of kisses my dear, be a good wife listen to my advice in the above matter, and know that I love you very much, I yearn for you with every fiber in my body. 

Love and love again dear to you and baby

Alex