World War II letters Archives - Page 13 of 17

“Have faith”––Mom’s advice to WWII soldier son

Money is still an issue in this letter. It seems that some of the $10 my grandmother sent to Frank Ebner has gone missing. Even though she only went to school through the fourth grade, my grandmother had a good business head and kept careful track of everything she sent—not only the dates, but the time she mailed. Working as hard as they did for their earnings, missing money was not something to be taken lightly. Yet she never hesitates to promise to send her son "all he needs."

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T00:41:20-05:00September 23rd, 2013|Letters of a WWII Airman, Uncategorized|

Draft deferment and death during World War II

Many mothers during World War II had to send off multiple sons to war. My grandmother's deep concern for the safety of her youngest is palpable in all her letters, yet she was lucky in that her other two sons, in their late twenties, were not drafted. This letter tells us why.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T00:30:14-05:00September 20th, 2013|Letters of a WWII Airman|

“We will give you all you need”—Parents of WWII cadet

Letter Chicago, ILL, 8-25-43 My Dear Ebner, I am glad your cold is better. Please take care of yourself. I will send you another $10, but please send a card right back and tell us only that you had received [...]

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T00:25:34-05:00September 18th, 2013|Letters of a WWII Airman|

Cost of living high in World War II Miami Beach

The young cadets in Miami Beach may have been serving their country, but that didn't exempt them from keeping their uniforms clean in the sweat-inducing, broiling Florida heat—at their own expense! Frank writes a soulful letter to his mother on his monetary woes, and making a good case in his need for CA$H.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T00:24:13-05:00September 16th, 2013|Letters of a WWII Airman|

Bratty kid ruins Chicago outing

A bratty kid can ruin any excursion. When Frank was stationed at Truax Field near Madison, Wisconsin, Vera, a friend of the family, took Frank on some local outings. So naturally when Vera and her son, Chuck, came to Chicago to visit, my grandparents want to show them a good time as a thank you for being kind Frank. They really outdid themselves, taking them to many of Chicagoland's treasures: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo, and a kid's delight, Riverview, a famous amusement park from Chicago's past.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T00:17:55-05:00September 11th, 2013|Letters of a WWII Airman|