Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 9, 1945

Well honey, this is Sunday and another week has passed by. It is a beautiful day with nice sunshine but the air is quite cool. The temperature feels much the same as October weather in the states.

I had a chance to leave this morning for the Riviera in Southern France and so fly both ways but could not go because as yet I don’t have my laundry back that I sent after returning from the England trip. I would just as soon wait awhile and then go to Switzerland anyway as the boys say that is a grand trip. The trip I understand costs about $30.00 for food, lodging and transportation and the Swiss will not allow a G.I. to spend more than $35.00 for gifts and incidentals because they do not wish to start inflation. Everyone who goes brings back beautiful watches that are very reasonable and I should like to get one for you and one for me. I hear you can spend American money in some places so wish you would send me about 25 or 30 dollars in $5 bills. I am getting a money order for $50 to send you now and will do so each month. If you got a money order from some   one else over here, think nothing about it as I shall give money to some one who doesn’t send his full allowance and let him get a money order for me. Perhaps I can get it home faster that way so as to pay for your coat before Christmas. If you can send the American money, put one or two 5’s in with your letter. I’m sure they will come through okay.

You mentioned in your letter about getting a pork chop and some bacon — is all meat still rationed now after VJ day? I’ll bet it will seem funny to be able to go and buy what one wishes just for the asking and without fooling with coupons.

Your new clothes sound beautiful honey and I wish I could be there to see them. I remember the green linen dress that Charlotte wore that time at Lincoln rather I should say I remember the shade of green. It should look beautiful on you with that Brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin or perhaps I should say dark complexion. I’m not much good at descriptions honey.

Sounds as though you are getting a lot of nice vegetables from the Christensen garden. That is really swell as they are always so much better when garden fresh. We have had a few fresh tomatoes here of late.

I can imagine your surprise at seeing some one with the Rainbow Patch in the Omaha Legion club. He apparently was one of the first fellows released if he left in latter May. Perhaps it was a medical discharge too. Think it was swell of Mr. Werkis to let Charlotte get a Legion card in his name. Suppose Otto will be home soon however and he could get one anyway. He may even be home by the time you receive this. I am wondering now if when I write him I should address is to Camp Wolter’s. Guess they would forward it to him anyway.

I just returned from eating and we had very good chow, roast chicken and dressing, mashed potatoes with chicken gravy and creamed corn. I also talked to Harris and he says he draws $35 over the pay table so will make out a money order for me for that amount. I can send $60 so that will be $95 at this time. Honey if you would prefer to apply it on some thing other than a coat for a Xmas gift please do so.

So Bill Mullen is getting married, it doesn’t seem he can be old enough. The last I saw him was when at the Co. Bluffs Store and of course he seemed such a boy at that time. I wonder now that   the war with Japan is over if he will still go to Manilla. Surely that will make a difference. I want to write Mr. Mullen real soon as it has been a terribly long time since I wrote. I also want to write Jake and Hanks. I wish more congressmen had Mr. Mullens views on releasing older men. I think one reason on there being so slow is because of the unemployment problem but it seems they could make some leeway for fellows who have regular jobs to return to.

I am carrying your 4 leaf clovers in my billfold and will also keep my fingers crossed if it will do any good as to getting home quicker.

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