A Letter to Grandma during World War II
by Barry Bauer
I borrowed three scrapbooks from friends and looked through them but they were so fragile I didn’t dare scan anything or take them apart. A letter fell out of one of them and I thought it must mean I should post it.
May 18, 1943
Camp Roberts
California
Dear Grandma,
How is everybody at home and everything? I hope everybody is ok because I am so far. Thanks for the cookies, they’re good. You know I didn’t have to guess who sent them for I knew they were your cookies. And boy were they good.
Well, how is Marie? I hope she is ok. You know I hope it is a boy for you know what a soldier I can make out of him.
I got all your letters.
Don’t write anymore for I am going to be shipped out and it may be overseas for I am not sure but that is what I think but again I may be sent closer to home but I don’t think so.
I don’t get much time to write for they are pushing us through basic training so fast you don’t know what you are doing. Oh yes, how is Grandpa? I hope he can get your garden in for you. I think he can get it in for you if he tries it, don’t you?
Well, when I get to where I am going I will write you first and nobody else but you.
I hope I get to come home before I do go across for I would like to see everybody just once more.
Tell Keith he can have my girl.
Well, got to close now, for I have to go
With love,
P.V.T Deek
Pvt. Deek did go overseas and was a paratrooper and was shot down over Italy during the War. He was hospitalized and received two Purple Hearts.
Pvt. Deek was Michael Wieczorek, Deek was his nickname. He was a cousin to Keith Barrett to whom he left the girlfriend but actually married the girl after the War.
Thanks to Keith and Nancy Barrett for letting me borrow these scrapbooks.