Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 23, 1945

Gee honey, I hit the jackpot again today, received eight letters from you, your package with the roll of film, a letter form Eileen and a package from Herb containing some little soap tissues. Also had a letter from mother and one from J&R that had come in yesterday when I wasn’t here.

I didn’t get to write you yesterday as I had to go back to the Evac Hospital for an Xray on my foot. The day before when we were playing ball I turned my ankle and thought sure it was fractured. The captain had me soak it in real cold water for ½ hr, gave me some aspirin and codeine and sent me to bed. It pained me all night so I couldn’t sleep, so they sent me for an Xray. It proved negative however and was only a bad sprain. It is badly swollen and I can’t get my shoe on as yet even though taped. I hated to go back to the Evac because you are then transferred from your outfit. Fortunately the place was over crowded and when he saw my medics helmet he inquired about   medical officers in our company. I told him we had three so he sent me back with the Xray to be treated here.

I am inclosing a picture of our new home, how do you like it? This is really a beautiful spot, right in the mountains and was a winter resort for skiing, I mean ski-ing (how in hell do you spell it) anyway it is truly beautiful. This building was formerly a lodge and I wish you could see the furniture and construction inside. We have all the conveniences of a hotel except maid service including electricity, wash basin with hot water in each room and steam heat. The building is constructed in a semi-circle however it is hard to distinguish on the picture. Of course now every thing around is grass and flowers so I want to take a picture of same in summer. I guess this is now their summer but we could see it snowing in the mountains today and many of the clouds were down below the peaks. If you will notice the X on the left of the picture, that is my room. We even have double doors opening onto the sun porch and the porch is equipped with deck chairs. What a place to spend a   quiet vacation. If you were only here, I couldn’t ask for anything more. The only trouble with this set-up is that its too good to last. Whenever we find a nice spot we usually move in a couple of days. If we have to sweat out a couple of months, I would like to stay right here.

Your letters today were the first I had received from you since your hearing of V-E Day. I was anxious to hear of the reaction there the same as you were to hear of ours. Apparently our days were quite similar as we had church services and otherwise spent a very quiet day. No one over here is elated about the fact as yet except the only few who have enough points for discharge. We only have two in our company and one of them is listed as a surgical technician which is still considered essential so he still can’t get out.

I am glad to hear Viola is coming along so well and think you did the right thing in informing Pete about the accident. Naturally he will worry about same but not as much as if some one else informed him of the accident. I know I would like the information under the same conditions.

I cant understand what is holding up my mail to you. I should think it would move faster now than before. Apparently it is laying in some A.P.O. along the route.

Honey I want to thank you for sending the card and gift on Mother’s Day. Naturally I was unable to get any thing for her but did write a letter which I doubt if she has received even yet.

I got quite a bang out of the clipping from Mann’s clothing deal. I can just picture Elsie all burned up over the deal and how she would tell about it. Incidentally, did she ever mention whether or not they received my letter?

Well darling, its time to turn in so will hit the bed and I really mean bed, clean sheets and all. One of the boys from the Infantry is staying with me in my room. He is asleep now and speaking of sawing wood, he sounds like a lumber mill.