Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, Feburary 2, 1945

Gee honey I finally hit the jack pot on the mail. I received five letters last night after I had written you including two valentines, one from you and one from Elsie. I think it was very nice of her to send me one, please thank her for me. I certainly enjoyed them both and they were really appropriate. I have been unable to get a valentine for you however Im hoping to be able to send you a cable.

Your post war plans to meet me in New York sounds swell. I hope it works out and soon. I don’t remember hearing you speak of Betty Goldman previously. Does she live where Mary stays.

Its a funny thing but I received a letter yesterday postmarked the 20th and today I get one postmarked on the 13th. I can’t figure that out. Must of layed around a week someplace. I’m glad to hear the helmet is on its way as I know it will surely come in plenty handy. I could have used it several times already as the wind really blows. The past few days have been beautiful however and reminded me a lot of Oklahoma weather early in the fall. I have never seen such changeable weather. One day it is about 10° above zero and the next about 70°. It was so nice yesterday that I did my laundry. You should have   seen that. Washing long underwear, ski sox handkerchiefs etc in a helmet is quite a problem but can be accomplished. The biggest trouble is that the nights are very cool and damp and it takes two or three days for drying.

Regarding the stationery, you might send me some air mail as I havn’t been able to locate any here as yet. I can get the regular type. The stamps I can buy from the unit mail clerk. I still have several since I bought a book of twelve and also purchased 30 on the boat.

That was quite a coincidence, Hanks meeting the girls in Omaha. His letter was apparently mailed a couple days after we sailed. I finally got around to answering Jake’s letter last night after writing you. Knew he would be interested in hearing from me because of his trip to Europe a few years back.

I think Mary and Fran did okay with their car and know they are happy to unload it now. Tell Fran I hope he doesn’t have to leave the states. It seems that on every move, living conditions become worse and worse.

If I have a preference regarding your letter writing honey I would prefer you to write daily. Just to receive some thing from you makes it seem as you say that we are closer.

So you are eating at the cafeteria now. I always enjoyed their food and thot it very tasty. Boy when I think of those good Love Oak Steaks we used to have my mouth really waters. What I   wouldn’t give for one of those now. We can’t complain about the Army food here tho because it has been very good considering every thing.

So you think perhaps you will go up home around March 1st. I know it must be terribly lonesome for you in Okla when all friends and relatives are up north. You don’t know how I wish I could be there with you. I have certainly never regretted our being together in Okla and only wished it could have lasted longer.

I saw a couple of the boys from the old gang today, Bill Dow and Critchfield. They are back in Field Artillery. Bill said to be sure and tell you hello. He looks better than he did last summer in fact he is gaining weight. He was surely happy to see me. Imagine coming all the way to France and run into him. We were laughing today about Lt. Smith telling him he would never leave Riley. We wonder what he would say now.

Well darling its time to wash and shave and get ready to turn in. I hope you are receiving my letters by this time so you know I am okay.