Introductions by Debra
This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.
An entire week has transpired since the last letter that Art wrote. It appears Art did get the weekend pass he’d hoped to get but was not banking on until it was in his pocket.
The Letter Transcript
Thursday, July 6, 1944
My Dearest Lois,
Came back from the base show with a terrible longing for you. Seen “Christmas Holiday”, wasn’t much good, dismal in parts, but it made me think of you so much. The boy being split up from his girl gave me such a low feeling. God, if only the two of us could only be together. Time can be so slow at times, especially when you’re up there and I’m here. The song in the picture was very pretty, drumming through my mind now. The name of it was “Always”. Songs can really express my feelings at times. You know what I mean, don’t you, Honey?
The play must be real good if you all have to give it a few more times. By the way, received another wonderful letter today. Doing good Lois, keeping my courage way up there. If it wasn’t for those letters, yours truly would be on the bottom.
Had quite an experience last night, Honey, and so help me never was so burnt up in my life. Still am and one boy, when I find what his name is, is going to suffer, very dirty trick and it had me trembling.
This is what happened. Had a telephone call at the barracks last night. Answered it and some guy asked if I had a girl in Washington. I said yes and he asked if I wanted to speak to her. My heart jumped then and yelled to put you on. Then after a pause, the fellow said you were here on the station. Well, then Honey you can imagine how I felt. Thought maybe you had come to me to be married. I then asked where you were. No answer for a moment, and then suddenly he says “your girl just left with an officer to go to a hotel together. Not exactly those words, Hon, but I knew then and there that it was a hoax. Cursed him out and slammed the receiver down. Simply was trembling all over! A minute later that “ma’am” I told you about called up. I refused to answer it so my buddy, a married fellow, answered for me. Man, did he ever bawl the hell out of her. He said he personally would beat the hell out of the boy that called. Really, made me feel good being a buddy like that. She was behind the trick but can’t find out the fellows name. My buddy is the real tall fellow in the picture. He is married and has two kids. He told me if somebody called him up and said something like that about his wife he would kill the guy. So help me, Darling, was so upset I couldn’t sleep for hours last night. What do you think about it? Pretty rotten, wasn’t it?
Well enough of that, onto better subjects. Don’t forget, send me your picture as soon as the film is done. My brother wants one of you also. Everybody seems so darn anxious to see you. They don’t know what they really are missing. The brother also sent his congratulations to us.

Darling, don’t be afraid of me going across. Give you my word it won’t be for a long time. Besides, Darling, I’ll know long before it does happen and so long as I don’t mention it, let’s not even think about it. Rather, let’s think about the two of us being married as we plan, huh? Honey, the next time I come up can we set a definite date? I want to so badly. And Honey, no matter what you write I won’t do anything bad, it will instead be something I want to do so terribly much. What I mean by the sentence is, you wrote and said that if you keep on writing me that way I would do something bad.
Honey, I’m glad that you and your friend get along so well. Think she is really a swell girl myself. She will make some fellow very happy as she will be a perfect wife. In fact, almost as good as my little girl is going to be and that is saying something.
Held class this morning for a change. Have to earn my keep sometimes I guess. Have to muster three times a day now because of the restrictions, eight, four and ten at night. Couldn’t go sailing this afternoon as there was no wind, caused it to be very warm.
Don’t forget the call Sunday. Was paid today as can be seen by the enclosed ten dollars. Thanks Honey, it was swell of you. Still owe that fifteen but maybe my Lois will let it go awhile longer. Still thinking that package will come.
No, Darling, I haven’t had the bracelet fixed yet. Must get in town first and that is not for a while. I love it the way it is though, Hon.
Still a lot more to tell you, Lois, but will fore go it till the morrow. Sing this last part sweetly Lois “You’ll never now how much I love you”. Bye for now, Hon. Sweet dreams.
I Love you Always,
Art
Questions, Conclusions and Commentary
Commentary:
I have two points of commentary on this letter. The first is the realization of the downstream effects of putting out information that is nothing but a hoax or a dirty trick. This act could have severely damaged this young, blossoming relationship. I think all fake news and hoaxes must stop!
The second is my appreciation for how wise this young, 21-year old man was to have the insights to know that “thoughts are things” and they should not even talk about or write about him going overseas into the thick of the war. My grandfather truly was a deep, introspective, intelligent man. I love that I get to know and understand these sides of him through these letters.
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