“Letters of a World War II Airman” shares original letters to and from my uncle, Frank Ebner Gartz, from 1943-1945, tracing the course of WWII, life on the home front, and the evolution of a neighborhood kid into seasoned airman.
LaVerne “Cookie” Karbach(bridesmaid photo) Ebner’shigh school girlfriend Harvey Duck Letter Chicago, Ill Mar. 3 Dear Ebner I was waiting [for] Will to send you a Letter but he is with his Air Port Working and so [...]
My grandmother placed two lights with green beaded shades flanking Ebner's high school graduation picture, as my father mentioned in his 2/21-23 letter. Here my grandmother tells her son how she keeps "in touch" with him through this little "shrine" she had erected.
My father wrote to Frank, who was more like a best friend to him. Ten years older than Frank/Ebner, my dad had changed Frank's diapers as a baby, fed him, and entertained him with walks to the park when his mom was busy working on the buildings and the never-ending housework of era.
The two Franks (Von Arx and Gartz), 18-year-old high school buddies, were so close, they called each other's parents "Mom and Pop," as here. This letter indicates that Frank "Ebner" Gartz is now in Santa Ana, CA. Frank Von Arx-"Somewhere in the Aleutians."
In an earlier letter, after his family was so concerned they hadn't heard from Frank, he assured them he was writing at least every 4 days and suggested they start numbering the letters so that he'd be sure he received them all. His older brother Will, starts doing that here. Will also tries to smooth Frank's ruffled feathers at the apparently sarcastic letter Will had sent regarding not hearing from the young soldier.