From the Aleutian Islands
"
Sun. Morn 2/47/44
Time 0800
Dear Kids,
All OK here. No news. Things are very easy here except for
military days. They are easy too but I don't like them. Guess I am just not military
minded. I was out to the range the other day but didn't do so hot. We were out there from
0730 in the AM till 1900 and I almost froze stiff. Not that it was so cold, I just didn't
put on enough clothes. Silly of me too since we have so many clothes. I understand Sgt.
Bill {Note: Dad's brother in the Air Force during WWII] is taking a cruise to Europe or
somewhere. Hope he goes by plane cause I know he won't like the ocean voyage. You know,
they don't have private suites on those transports. There is just a bare possibility that
I may come back to the States by plane when we get out of stir here. There is a lot of
scuttlebutt as to when that will be so I'll let you in on a secret. It may be anytime
between May and December
So little Marge has gone and got herself engaged. Well I hope
they don't have to wait too long to be married. There seems to be a lot of propaganda
about my getting married on my leave. Could be! I haven't had my mind made up for me yet,
however. There seems to be one valid argument for it. Now that I am second class perhaps I
could afford a wife, and family. I would get, - let me see - $96 plus 20% = $115.20 plus
$40 for family = $155.20. What a tremendous salary! However, I don't think there is any
possibility of persuading Pat [Note: Pat is my mother] to marry me before the war is over.
Do you? Ha! Well, anyway, don't plan on the wedding till I get there. Do you think I could
become a properly married man in thirty days? Or rather about twenty-two or three days
when you allow for traveling time? Then too, I would have to become used to being a
father. Oh well, might as well get the noose around my neck as she seems to be the only
gal I ever wanted to marry. Or maybe Pat just made an old bachelor matrimony minded. Huh?
Well, So long, Kids, that's all the dope for this time.
Love
Fred
P. S. Enclosed is a picture. Send it home when you get thru looking at it.