Transcription
969th Ord HAM Co
Cp. Breckinridge, Ky
31 Aug 1944
Dear Mother & Dad:
I have, what you might call some
bad news for you. I have been putting off
telling it to you for a long time for fear
of upsetting both of you. However, I have never
kept anything from you and I don't feel
right, so here it is. I have joined the
paratroopers. I volunteered, took my physical,
and I am now waiting for orders. I shall
be transferred to Ft Benning, Ga. I want you
to know that I am not jumping into
this without any previous consideration.
I have been thinking about it for a
long time, much longer than you
realize. I am not going to try to explain
my reasons very well. I know I can't in
a letter. One reason is the extra money, I
want to go to college more than you
realize and I know I can never do it
unless I save some money for it now.
My bond a month is not amounting to very
much. Fifty dollars extra a month will
help it a great deal. Another reason may
sound corny to you, but you might call
it patriotism. I feel that I am not doing
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all I can or should for my country. This
is one way of trying to do more.
Well, now that is off my chest I think
I will be able to go to sleep tonight for
the first time in a long while. I hope
that my actions have not hurt or upset
either of you too much. If they have, please
try to understand my point of view and
try not to criticize me too much. I would
like to feel that you understand, approve,
and are praying for my success.
You can see that under these conditions
a furlough is out of the question right
now. I am awaiting shipping orders.
However, when the orders come through
I shall apply for a delay in route,
and may get home that way. Don't
count to heavily upon it though.
Well, thats all for now. Say "hello" to
Billie for me, "will ya"?
Your Loving Son
"Oby"
