Machine Dreams

them in pits. Of course you will not say anything about this to the family. It is the worst that has happened as yet, though shelling is sometimes bad—mostly we are kept busy loading and unloading the supply ships, patching the loading machines with scrap, and building more airstrips. We get little news and scant mail. I am well but awfully tired. It’s very difficult for me to sleep but that is the way this climate affects you—nothing to worry about. You are lucky Doc that you did not get pulled in. Take care of yourself and let them know you heard from me.
    Mitch
    APO-929, New Guinea
January 3, 1943
    Dear Katie Sue. I had a letter from Mother today and she told me that you have both gone to Columbus to the doctors there. If the pneumonia has gone to rheumatic fever, you must be very careful.I am praying for good news from you. You should be back home by the time this letter reaches you. Are you being good? Doing any romancing and are you still practicing the piano? You better be and so had Twister. That brother of yours should be pampering you now you are sick. I hear I am getting a picture of you, how about one of Twister too? Are you going to stay in school this year? I know it would be a bad break not to, but if it is necessary you wouldn’t mind too much, would you? You must do what Mother and Doc Reb and the other doctors say, so you will be there, right as rain, when Old Man comes back. Will you do that for me? Well, Honey Bunch, write me soon. The snapshots are for you and brother.
    Lots of love,
Old Man Mitch
    APO-929, New Guinea
March 1, 1943
    Hello Darling. Thank you for the very nice pictures of yourself and Twister. You don’t look like you’ve been sick at all. And both so grown-up, I would not have recognized either of you. Boy, that brother of yours will surely be a ladies’ man. I am glad you are popular, however don’t let it go to your head—and don’t grow up too fast or I will never catch up with you. We do a lot of work here but some play—I have been hunting three times, killed a 9-ft. snake, and some Wallaby. (Small edition of the Kangaroo. One had a little one in its pouch. The natives eat them, and when you go out hunting you always take a guide. You pay them by shooting a few Wallaby for them.) Still summer here and it is hot and muggy. I’m glad you got everything you wanted for Christmas, I was thinking of my best girl on that day and now I am so glad you will be all right and Doc Reb has said you can start school again. You are a very Good-looking dame and I suppose you knowit—I am glad you are, and I’m sure you will be a joy and the apple of your father’s eye. Take care of yourself Honey, and stay in love with me—
    Love & Kisses,
Old Mitch
    PHILIPPINES
    Philippine Islands
April 19, 1945
    Dear Reb. Thanks for writing, yours is the first letter in weeks. I sure hope to get out of here soon. Though it is an interesting enough place, I am tired of being away. A great number of the little boys and girls go stark naked—a lot of them have been to school or will go this coming year. The pigs and chickens live in the house with them. I went into a house the other day (am drawing up leases on buildings the Army used, and finalizing payment) and the house started to crack, so I jumped out—they all laughed & said “too Big.” Most of the houses are made of Bamboo (floor and framework) and Coconut leaves woven into mats (called Nipa) for the sides & roof. I want to send some things back if I can get the boxes to mail them. However as for most of what you can get over here, the five and ten store at home has much better ones—surprising but true. I believe it is worse here than New Guinea, hotter, damper, and the water is terrible, the chlorine comes off in waves and you taste it very strong even in tea and coffee. But we are beginning to make improvements, existence here should pick up. You say Lorraine is expecting; I am not surprised. She must be a sight, she isn’t very big. Well, I wish her the best, she will need some luck. So long, Doc, you say you are tired of tonsils and rationing, but I would gladly trade places with you. See you, and we will have a drink on it all.
    Mitch
    Philippines
June 10, 1945
    Dear Aunt Bess. The news continues to be very good and I believe the war will be over by the 1st of next year. Weather here is even hotter now, especially until noon, then we have heavy showers all afternoon and the ground steams till dark. Then it becomes cool.