Letters 86 - 90

The war wasn't the only thing on the minds of Americans in 1944.  There was a polio epidemic and the March of Dimes was an active charity that struck children at home and worried soldiers overseas as mentioned in letter 89. On April 19, 1945 a musical debuted on Broadway whose closing song became a theme song for the March of Dimes.

Letter # 86
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg Co 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o P.M. N.Y., N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
France

Sept 25, 1944
Dear Mom,

Haven’t had much time for writing in the past couple days. Received 8 letters at once the other day Glad to hear you’re getting my mail regular now. Where am I going to get the Luke warm water for those socks, maybe you should have sent some of that too. The damn bees are driving me crazy. What does P.L. think about going to those stage shows? Clarence Elvey says he’s gonna study drama in N.Y.C. on this govt. deal. Guess I can finish school Tuition free. That should be pretty nice for everyone, you & me both. Guess everybody back home expects the wars over soon, believe me its far from over as far as we’re concerned. How does Dad like his glasses? It takes about 3 months for a package to get over here. War should be over before I get those clean socks. Am going to hit my foxhole & see if I can get a couple hours sleep.

Love to all, Eddie

Letter # 87
September 26, 1944
In France

Dear folks,
Am glad to be receiving your mail quite regularly again, hope it keep up. When you pack those boxes you can leave out the smokes as we’re issued 7 packs a week by the govt. & that’s plenty. I’m eating all the candy I can get my hands on though. Hope the war will be over by the time the boxes arrive. Will enjoy seeing those movies myself when I return. Glad to hear Peggy is pres. of her club, best I ever made it in the Dragons was sec. & bouncer & can’t you see me “bouncing” some of those boys around Got a letter from Jackie O’Mara & one from A. Kitty also A.Peg & Nan. Guess Bobby, Jimmy & I are really separted now. Never that things would turn out like they did when we were doing that high jumping, did you. Have earned a battle star for my little ribbon which I lost all ready. Guess we’l really be decorated when we hit the good old states again. So long for now Love, Eddie

Letter # 88
Sept 26, 1944
In France
Hello Peg,

Have been trying to find time, paper & ink to write you for the past couple of weeks. Hows everything at home? Are many of your boyfriends still around? Wrote to Bette McCarrow last week. Congrats! on your new position, pres. at last. What do you think about those shows, have you seen any of them yet? The winter program at the Evlanger is usually excellent. Want you to write & tell me how you like each show, if you have time & I hope you will. I hear your stepping out with Jimmy Revelle, better watch that stuff, he’s bigger than I am (almost) Was looking at that picture the “bad one” you sent me (I’ve carried it half way around the world in my wallet) anyhow I’ve decided I don’t like the way you put on your lipstick so you had better change your style if you haven’t already. Take care of yourself kid & save one of your parties for DeWitt & I. We’d love it.

Your brother, Eddie

Letter # 89

Oct 1st, 1944
In France

Dear folks,
Sorry I haven’t been able to write for the last couple days but I’ve been very busy & didn’t have the time to do so. Received your letter of the 9th & got a big kick out of Dad using his glasses to listen to the radio, sounds just like him. Wish Connie lots of luck on his birthday for me when you see him. Haven’t heard from home in a couple of days, guess our mail is tied up again. Did Dad solve that problem yet? guess he never heard of it before, guess its something new. Did you get that pin for Dad as yet? Will be satisfied & overjoyed when he can wear a pin saying “Son in Civilian Life” Can’t understand why Pop ever painted the steps yellow, they’l be a landmark in So. Buffalo from now on. Am going to drop another line to my classmates as my last letter to them was rudely interrupted & had to be abbreviated. Well, I’m feeling fine, eating well & consequently enriching the soil of France daily. Have finely cought up to where all the food is going & really appreciate it. Last couple of weeks have been rather rugged but we’re taking it a lot lasier at the present, hope it remains that way. Have got myself a swell girl friend over here. She’s 10 years old, blonde & blue eyes. She just came down to see me but I’ll finish my writing before I go & talk to her. Have a great time as I’m the only one around that can speak? French. Just took a time out from chow & received 3 letters from home. Guess you still don’t know I’m in France & that my stay in Eng was rather short. Looks like my prediction of Oct 8th is strictly all wet, see where Winston Churchill says early in ’45, ain’t that great? & then 2 years after the Japs. Boy! the kids really are getting a vacation, hope it help to stop the polio. The weather is fairly nice over here, little rain but not too bad, must still be hot in Buff what with 83º at the football game. Well, have to do a little work now so I shall be closing. Take care of yourselves & don’t worry about me as I’m using every precaution to insure getting home & the sooner the better.

Love to all, Your son Ed


Letter # 90
Oct 8th, 1944
France
Dear folks,
Received 2 let from home today, 1st ones to aknowledge my being in France. Have been running wild for the past couple days looking for some writing paper but finally found some. Glad to hear you liked the little sketch, even thou it wasn’t very good. Am taking things rather easy now & only hope it stays that way, have decided I don’t want the Congressional medal. Also nice to hear Peggy was pleased about the shows, hoped she would be. Read your letters thru & as I was reading Dad’s little note a couple tears ran down my cheek. Can’t understand it as we’re supposed to hard as nails but that “old man” of mine is okay. Got a letter from Mrs. Mulholland, Eng. Teacher at State, very nice & one from Ed Cowley. Tell Peggy to help herself to any of my sweaters etc. I hope Collella is doing very well, read it in “The Stars & Stripes” our G.I. newspaper printed in France. Good to hear Frankie Smith is recovering & Jim Donovan is safe. Getting dark so I’ll say so long for now & will write again tomorrow.

Love to all, Eddie