Dart’s tone seems less lonely in this letter, and he explains why in the first paragraph – another letter from Dot appears to have kept the homesickness at bay. In fact, he told her that if she keeps on writing to him, it’ll be a cure for homesickness, but not an end to his desire to see her again. When he puts his intentions front and center like that, it’s hard to believe it’s been less than three weeks since he wrote his first letter to her.
He refers to the party for Dot’s mom that she’d mentioned in her letter. He has read beyond Dot’s cheerful report of that event to glean the fact that his girl is probably missing her mother a lot after a brief visit. My favorite part is when he says “Gee whiz, here we are, a bunch of would-be big(?), strong (?) men (?), all wanting to go home, when you, a sweet, gentle girl can take it for so long. I admire your courage and fortitude.” How perceptive and sympathetic of him!
What follows is a little exchange of the newsy “gossip” about mutual acquaintances and some dreaming or hoping about time spent together on some future leave. He even told her if he got home to Cleveland during her Christmas break, he would hitch hike to Greenwich!
He talks about drilling outside for over two hours in the bitter Chicago weather and then mentions that they still have not received their GI clothing, so no one has gloves or coats! A fine way to treat a volunteer Navy! He ends the letter with some tender thoughts.
What can the reader learn about this young woman from her letter? She’s a “fiend” for corn and she likes Harry James and his trumpet playing. She’s a self-admitted day dreamer. (Is that because she has someone wonderful to dream about these days?) Most of all, she can weave a good story about whatever is happening in her life at the moment.
Dart must eat this stuff up! He is surrounded by drab barracks, countless men and boring work details. Then in comes a letter filled with sparkling banter about girlie things, happy things, everyday things, all delivered with a sharp wit and breezy style. It had to have been a huge morale booster to read Dot’s letters.
Speaking of reading Dot’s letters – when I spoke with Mom yesterday, she told me how much she enjoyed seeing this blog. “But,” she said, “No one is making any comments, so I think you and I are the only ones paying attention.” I know a few folks have told me they’re checking this blog periodically. If you’re one of them, please drop a comment now and then to let Mom know. Maybe you can ask her a question about something you read in the letters. There’s nothing quite like going to the source!