In his V-mail dated September 22, 1945, Johnnie tried to console Lucile about his delayed return home and also seeking solace for himself.
My Dear Darling Wife,
Well since I have a new change of address now, I haven’t heard from you in two weeks. And it is so hard to write unless I hear from you. Darling, don’t feel so bad about me not coming home as we expected. That’s the kind of breaks I have always got since I have been in. All bad. I still believe I will be home before this year is out, yet I am so disgusted the way things have turned out, I can’t do anything. Well, I can’t write anymore without hearing from you. So, I will close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
If Lucile was writing to Johnnie, her letters were not reaching him. In his V-mail dated September 23, 1945, Johnnie shared updates about the weather and inquired about his family.
My Dear Darling
Well, here it is, another week has gone by and I haven’t heard from you. I hope this finds you in the best of health and everything is alright back there at home. Well, old October is about here and they say that is the month that it starts getting cold. Well, it sure has to change a lot to help this weather. It’s really hot here now and I mean hot. Have you heard from any of the family of mine? You know Louise, Kate, all the rest. I believe they have even forgot they have a brother. Right? Just as long as you don’t forget. I don’t care. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Like many soldiers, Johnnie grew increasingly frustrated with the military’s point system for demobilization. Many of his fellow servicemen shared this sentiment, believing the system to be unfair, which heightened anxiety among the troops. In his V-mail dated September 27, 1945, Johnnie expressed his frustrations.
My Dear Darling,
Well, I still haven’t heard from you and it has been all most three weeks now. I can’t figure out what is wrong. I know since I wrote you that last letter and told you I would be over here a little bit longer you would start writing regular again. But not a word from you as yet. You talk about a raw deal. The Army is really giving me one. I have seventy-eight points and still here. They tell me it will be another month before I will be able to go. Can’t figure that one out either. Can you? Well, I will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Johnnie had always recognized Lucile’s beauty, but now his fellow soldiers were equally captivated. In his V-mail dated October 1, 1945, he shared with Lucile the news of a beauty contest in which she was a participant.
My Dear Darling
I hope this finds you much better. Gee, I hope you did go to a doctor to have a checkup. Your side giving you trouble can come to be very painful later on in life as you know. Honey, you know what I did? Up at the Red Cross Club here where I am at, they were having a beauty contest of pictures of the soldier wives or sweetheart. I turned in a picture of you. And out of two hundred pictures that was turned in for the contest, you won second place. Now don’t you go around thinking you are the stuff. If so, I’ll break your neck when I get back, Ha Ha. I am really proud of you. And God only knows why I have you. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
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Lucile |
Johnnie has not received any communication from Lucile in a whole month, and his frustration is growing. In his V-mail dated October 8, 1945, he expresses concern about the lack of news from home.
My Dear Darling,
Well, I have quit counting the days I haven’t heard from you. I tell you this is the longest I have ever went without hearing from you. What’s wrong? If I don’t hear from you soon, I am going to blow my top. It’s bad enough having to stay over here another two months. It can’t be that you are not writing I know. But maybe I don’t. I have been gone so long there could be a lot of changes. But not with me. I couldn’t love another woman, regardless of what may happen from you. I have learned a lot in the rightness of being square. That I always keep in mind. Well Honey, I will close for I sure hope to hear from you soon. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
After another week of anxious waiting, Johnnie finally received a letter from Lucile. His joy knew no bounds, and he promptly shared the good news with her in his V-mail dated October 15, 1945.
My Dear Darling,
Well, yesterday I finally received two letters from you and I can’t say just how glad I was to get them. I am well but I can’t say that everything is going OK because it isn’t. They have kept me over longer than I am supposed to. I should have left sometime last month. But all I ever have got out of this Army so far is a raw deal! I am not telling you when to expect me home because something may happen and they might hold me longer. So, don’t ask me. I hope this finds you in the best of health. The rest of the family’s the same. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Interesting
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