Family Letters

While packing, I found a collection of letters to my grandparents that I saved. This blog will simply be the gradual and random recording of those letters received by Carl "Charlie" and Frances Corridino Carbone. [?] indicates I'm not sure of a word or spelling; [with a word in it] means I inserted a word that seemed to be needed; I also use [brackets] to set off annotations.

Monday, July 12, 2004

Sept. 29, 1943/Wednesday, 10:45 pm: Bruno to Fran

Letter Head:
704TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H) AAF
446TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H) AAF
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER
LOWRY FIELD, COLORADO

Hello Sis,

Well I guess it's about time I wrote to you. But really, Fran, I've been busy as hell fixing our plane to get it in shape to leave here the 8th of Oct. Though they have us flying here and there and everywhere. I guess you know I've been to California. We were at March[?] Field which is 12 miles from Hollywood. We had a chance to go to town and we sure made the rounds. We stopped at all them famous night spots in Hollywood that I used to read about in Movie magazines. Now I've seen them and they[?] really are what they write about. I guess we've seen almost every one that was important. I danced with (Marline Dietrich). I don't know if spelled it right. I danced with her at the Hollywood Canteen. Boy she was a knockout. She gave me her address and told me to drop her a line any time and she would answer it personally. Of course she may just have been kidding me. But she still is a peach.

The other day we stopped at Sun Valley, Idaho. Gosh I was disappointed in the place. Nothing like the Movie they had. I don't think it's very nice. Of course, that's just my opinion, but I still think it stinks.

Well, Fran, what did you think of Moe's[?] letter? Please, when you answer this letter, send it back. Boy he sure is seeing plenty of action.

Fran we're leaving here the 8th of October. Our A.P.O. is going to be New York. So you may see me again before I go overseas. We may get three[?] Monthly Coast Patrol[s] before we go over. Gee I sure hope we do. We're not going to leave from New York tho. We're going to be stationed in Boston, Mass.

I suppose you've read about the two plane crashes we had here? Gosh they were awful, only one man bailed out. There were 18 men killed. And they both happened within 48 hours of each other. I knew most of the guys and I guess we all feel pretty bad. One officer had his wife here and she's getting a baby next month. We all pitched in and are giving her something like $300 dollars. Of course that's not bringing her husband back. But it was the least we could do.

Say, Fran, has anyone heard from Tommy [Bruno's and Fran's brother] yet? Gosh I sure am worried about that guy. I guess none of us can understand him. I wish he'd get something that would make him happy. I just wrote to him tonight so I hope he answers and lets me know how he's doing.

Fran, I don't know what to do with Jennie. I sent her a wire that I wanted to talk to her on the phone. And she ups and leaves for New York. I guess she thought I was going to tell her not to go. Well I wasn't. I just was going to tell her that I wanted her to come down here and get married. I got paid and it wouldn't have cost her a dime. But I guess she thinks more of her girl friends than she does of me. Well I'll tell you, sis, I'm getting tired of waiting. I waited long enough.

I don't know if you've ever heard, but then you probably have. About that girl Joy in New York. Well, Fran, I'll tell you. She thinks the world of me, Fran, and I know she loves me an awful lot. She comes from a good Polish family in Willkes Barre, Penn. She's supervisor of Scrafft's Candy store in New York. She writes to me every day. And that's more than I can say for Jennie. She calls me up once every two weeks. Gosh I don't know, Fran. Jennie is making me pay more attention to Joy. You ask how? O.K. I've told you a few of the reasons. I'll you a few more. She's never mentioned marriage to me. But I have to her. And I told her about mom needing the money and she told me that I could give all my money to mom and she'd even help. Gosh, Fran, she's a swell girl and I'm beginning to forget Jennie. She doesn't write to me often enough. And more than once she's proved to me she cares for her girl friends more than she does me. So I don't nkow what to do now. I did so want Jennie to come down here and get married. But I gave up now. If she wants me now, she's going to have to do the asking. That is of course if i don't end up by marrying Joy. Which I think Jennie is forcing me to do. So please advise me and tell me just what you think of me.

Well how are all the kids? I guess Guy isn't happy in school is he? I have to drop him a card and tell him to buckle down. Well give my love to all the kids. I have some pictures I'll send you when I get more prints made. So long and God Bless You All.

Your Kid Brother
"Bruno"

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