Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 17, 1945

I was very disappointed when I received no mail from you tonite as I was certain I would receive your picture today. Guess I cant complain however as I have done very well the past two days receiving seven letters in all. For some reason I just had the feeling it would arrive today.

We went swimming again this afternoon and had a very enjoyable time. We were scared away a bit early because of rain. These mountain showers come up so sudden in fact it quite often rains while the sun is shining brightly. I’ll be so dark when you see me you won’t recognize me. Of course it isn’t darkening my hair any. Ha!

Had our teeth checked this morning for any needed repairs. Mine were apparently okay as he merely looked in my mouth and said next man. Reminded me of our physical at Kelmer   except today we didn’t have to strip.

Believe it or not we are having ice cream tomorrow. There is a creamery here in this town so some of the boys made arrangements for us to furnish the ingredients and use their freezer. I hear we are to have both vanilla and chocolate. Not bad, huh?

Is now 8:00 PM and Bing Crosbies program just came on the air. It should be 1:00 PM in the midwest so it must be a transcription.

I was glad to hear you got the fishing stuff okay. Incidentally, you guessed correctly on what we used for bobbers. The day Sid and I fished we did use champagne corks of course that was near Wurzburg. Since then we havn’t seen much champagne.

You can tell Marian that her statement is a courts martial offense and that I’ll see that she gets at least 30 years in the stockade for that statement regarding the steaks.

That deal Otto wrote about in Army of Occupation would be a good   deal for a fellow without a job to return to. The rate of pay sounds too high to be practical since our good dollars will buy a lot over here. Thats where the G.I gets gyped in France and elsewhere by being paid with invasion money.

I’m sorry to hear of Marilyn’s illness and hope she gets well soon. Tell her I said hello, also the kids.

Thats a good deal on the pictures having Lloyd C. take care of them. Its just as well you didn’t have more of them made in Muskogee.

Honey I am going to mail you a copy of our Rainbow Reveille since it gives a good picture of the territory we covered as well as several pictures of the Dachau Camp and a good story on same. Will also inclose a copy of world news with this letter giving a good description of the camp. Every word of it is absolutely true as I saw it myself.

Well sweet, I guess this is about all for today so — Bye until tomorrow —

Honey i can use some paper & envelopes, no hurry, however.