Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, August 7, 1945

I didn’t receive any mail from you last night however Bob just left for clearing a few minutes ago and I am hoping he returns with some.

I got my laundry back so now have some pressing to do. These people do a very good job at washing and are good at pressing every thing except our uniforms. I really don’t mind pressing them as long as I have plenty of time. I had a very big laundry as all the time we were in the field, I didn’t wash a thing consequently practically every thing I had was dirty. We now have an arrangement whereby some ladies do our washing for the left over food from the kitchen so it is a good deal for all.

Pete, the Russian boy who has been working in our kitchen since May 5th is leaving for home (going back to Russia) tomorrow. He just stopped into the station to shake hands and tell me good bye. For the period of time he has been with us he got so he could speak English pretty well. He can understand it better than he can speak it. he is really proud of his uniform (ours) and has the complete outfit including combat boots. He isn’t allowed to wear the Rainbow Patch or braid on his cap. He did for a while until an order came down making all D.P.’s remove them.

Honey after reading about your talk with Charlie you have no idea how happy and full of pride I feel in having such a wonderful wife. As you say Rubie is no doubt a mental case but surely if she would practice a little self control and will power, she could snap out of it. I can’t say I blame Charlie for being mad at her, he surely hasn’t much to look forward to under present conditions. I think if I were in his place and came home to find she had been drinking I would feel like breaking her neck. As you say honey, if it wasn’t for the happiness we are looking forward to, I think I would go completely nuts being over here away from you and waiting to go home. I think they would be smart to move East as Charlie mentioned some time ago, away from all their friends and surroundings and start all over again. Perhaps she would change and perhaps not.

I am glad you got to talk with Hanks and that news was surely welcome to my ears. I too was afraid they may want to transfer me to another city and I really think Lincoln is pretty hard to beat in many ways. Any way we were happy there weren’t we honey? I would give any thing in the world if we could be back there together now. I think it was swell of him to give you that film and I will be very glad to send him a few shots if they turn out any good. I will also drop him a line   and thank him for same after I receive it. After writing you last night I wrote a letter to mother and one to Otto to thank him for the box he sent me.

The weather has been real nice again today with the sun shining most of the time. It isn’t quite as warm as was yesterday however.

I suppose Mr. Mullen is a very happy man now that Bill is home. Bill is about all he has to live for and I am surprised at him requesting to be sent back. When last I saw Bill he seemed like such a kid but suppose he is plenty matured after all this time in the Pacific.

I hope Viola’s suit comes out okay and that she does receive enough to cover her expenses with a little extra. After that ordeal she is entitled to some thing.

Well darling I’m out of news so will close — bye for now —