My grandpa enlisted in the army in 1941. I’d imagined him running off to join the Good War, after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. Seventy years later, I found his enlistment record, and learned that he’d signed up October 4th, 1941—two months before. Asking my mom, she told me that he’d been drinking, with friends, and decided to enlist. On his enlistment card, he declared his civilian profession: “Actor.” He was a funny guy.

Friday
April 27, 1945

My dear Miss Voigt—

Hi Babe or should I say toots. Figured it was about time I dropped you a line or two, just to let you know where you stand in my estimation. You see it’s like this. It’s been so long since I've seen you I've practically forgotten you. I never think of you anymore, and can even go to bed at night without dreaming about you— Like so much!! Honey I've got it bad over you, and whether that’s good or bad remains to be seen.

“What in hell will you ever amount to, Barry?”

In the first place I can never forget you, and I don’t think I want to, in the second place you not only bother me all day long, but I even dream about you at night. I never had a dream in my life either until I met you. So see what you've done to me? Honestly, you have changed my whole outlook on life. Not that I didn't enjoy living before I met you, but you have given me something that was lacking before. I was not actually living; but now instead of living each minute as it comes along, not being at all concerned with the future or with the past; I find that I’m living for the time when I can be with you again. In plain words, you've given me something to look forward to. Otherwise, I’m normal (more or less), I still don’t regret what is past, and don’t worry too much about what is coming, although I must admit that I've done more than a little thinking on the subject of “What in hell will you ever amount to, Barry?”—since I met you. That’s an indication of something or other which has to do with you—Could it be that I’m in love with you?

The poor little pooch was all covered with dirt, in fact he was filthy, so I decided I’d be good to him and give him a bath.

To give you an example of how serious I've become—This evening while I was walking back to the barracks from the school, a cute little mutt came up to me and growled at me. The poor little pooch was all covered with dirt, in fact he was filthy, so I decided I’d be good to him and give him a bath. I picked him up and took him to the barracks with me and told some of the guys in the barracks what I was going to do. Now of course we have some serious minded men in our barracks beside myself, so about four of them decided to help. The upshot of the whole thing was that the five of us made the rounds of the post, picked up every stray dog we could find, (14 in all), took them all back to the shower room and went to work on them with a G.I. brush and soap. You should have heard the racket that came from that shower room. All the guys were laughing and shouting, the dogs were barking and howling and all in all everyone was having a great time. The expressions on some of the poor pooches’ faces just about floored me. We had a couple who didn't like water but the most of them didn't mind at all, some of them even came back in and got in the way after we had scrubbed them clean and turned them loose.

Were there ever a bunch of wet dogs in the area when we finished with them. Consequently the squad has acquired 14 new pooches! They like us.

Well Ann darling, I’d better say goodnight once more. Take good care of yourself and stay as sweet as you are.

Gobs of love,
Phil

P.S. You said in your last letter for me to think of you once in a while. You little devil what do you think I've been doing all of the time. Honey I love you so much it feels like I’m about to burst inside.