Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 8, 1945

I was very happy to receive your letter telling of receiving the box of perfume and the bracelet. Also glad you liked them since that is about the only thing available for gifts over here. I really felt it had been stolen some where along the line when it took such a long time reaching you. If you want to save it until I get home perhaps you can use the bottle I sent recently in the meantime if you have occasion to do so. When you receive it tell me if it is any good as you realize of course that I know nothing about it. I thought after mailing, I shouldn’t have sent the same kind to all three of you girls, being together so much, perhaps you would not like it.

I finished up my C.Q. today at noon and then came up, washed and shaved before writing you. Some of the boys were playing a card game called Casino in the station which didn’t break up until about midnight last night so my rest was slightly interrupted(?). I sound like an old grandpa don’t I? Seriously tho — that is quite late to be up around here because the   military curfew is 11:00 P.M. and there not being much to do anyway, the fellows usually go to be early.

I havn’t heard from Earl recently but suppose he is probably in the Pacific Area by this time. It’s a damn shame too because those fellows, I believe will be there longer than we over here. Being in a Cavalry Squadron which is a smaller group, they probably wouldn’t have much chance being redeployment by way of the states. There is a possibility he may have been in one of the groups whose orders were canceled at Marseilles before sailing.

So Dan Coy is finally back in the states, God its about time. Surly he is home for good with his discharge with his age and all. Otto wrote that he was quite sure it wouldn’t be long now before he would be home and that he had broken in two other fellows on the job.

Was a little surprised to hear Lone Oak was still under construction but suppose they, like all the others, couldn’t get materials. Now with the war over it shouldn’t be long and boy how I wish we could be there the opening night. Some of that good fried chicken, salad and potatoes would be wonderful even   if I couldn’t have a steak, in fact honey I would even be happy to be there with you with nothing to eat. Sounds as tho Leonard really got around in the Navy, I’ll bet he has had some interesting experiments around some of those Pacific Islands. I sure would like to see him.

The weather is beautiful here today with the sun shining brightly. This morning there was a wedding in the church a short distance from our station. I think I wrote you previously about them using teams and carriage’s decorated with flowers, for their wedding ceremonies here. Today when the bride and groom rode by I snapped a picture of them in the carriage. I hope it will be good so I can send one and give you an idea of the way it looks. I plan to go out on an expedition this afternoon and see if I can locate some one to develop and print my film.

Honey regarding my wants from you for Christmas — I want only one thing — you. Seriously, I don’t know of a single thing I need as we certainly get all the clothing we need including socks and all. Also we get all the tobacco and cigarettes we need. At the present time I have 4 ½ cartons   of cigarettes ahead even after selling two cartons in Paris. We are even getting more candy bars than previously and at present I think I have about 30 of those so I am at a loss as to what I can ask for. Of course a box of nice chocolates are always welcome so you might send me one of those later on honey. Now then — regarding your gift honey, I don’t know of anything I can get you over here that would be worthy of your love so I should like to buy your new coat for you — I mean the one you wrote me about. I have the money on me right now to pay for it but will have to send it home to you in amounts of $50.00 as they will not let us send only 10% more than we draw each month consequently it would be installments of $50.00 per month. Is that okay honey? If there is any thing over here that you would like, let me know and I will try and locate it.

Well darling, guess I had better close for now, I have my book for today —

I forgot this clipping yesterday.