Hello Sweetheart

L.J. and Cleo Hurst
with daughters Norma Jean and Sarah Catherine
Late summer 1944 in Union County, Tennessee

I have a notebook of letters that my grandparents wrote to one another when my grandfather served in WWII  in 1944 and 1945.  He joined the Army on June 21, 1944, was sent overseas in late November, went to the Belgian front on December 28, was wounded January 1, then spent three days trapped in a foxhole behind German lines before he was found.  He recuperated in hospitals in France and England before returning to the United States in June 1945.  On this November 11th, I am grateful that my grandparents' letters survived and have been entrusted to me.  It's a window into a time in their lives that they didn't talk much about.  

Wednesday Night

Forest Avenue

Hello Sweetheart:

How does this find u tonite? We are okay. Norma has played out and gone to sleep and "Cat" is still up playing.  I've been listening to the supper time frolic and thought I'd write to you before I went to bed as you are on my mind.

I kinda looked for a letter from you today but didn't get one, hope I get one tomorrow.  I'm sitting on the bed and Catherine's jumping up and down on it so much it's hard to write.

Well, honey I don't know anything to write you tonite. I thought when I started to write you I could write three or four pages but I think its all blown over so will just call it a nite and try to snooze a little.  I hope you get to snooze too.

So goodnite and sweet dreams.

Lots of Love

Bye now

your old lady

Monday Noon

Hello Honey,

How are you today?  For me, o.k.  Still blue and lonesome. Guess I'll always be that way if I'm not with you and the babies.  Honey, I'm sending my slippers and some extra things home.  Can't take them with me.  It sure looks bad.  Still don't know where I'll go or when but soon, I think.  They made us put on our heavy underwear.  Seems like we're going where it's cold and I have to wear overcoats.  It's pretty cold here but not that cold.

Honey I've had two letters already today, one this morning and one just a few minutes ago and boy was I glad to get them.  Sure helped me a lot.

Well Honey, I had to stop there but I will try to go on.  Will have to stop again soon I think but maybe I'll finish sometime today.  Honey, you asked how I like Fort Meade.  It's as good as any army camp I guess but I don't like any of them although they really are good to us here and Honey my watch is doing fine, not had to set it since I set it at home. They have eastern standard time here and its not a minute off.  I dropped it one day and thought I broke it but it didn't seem to hurt it at all.  I'm really proud of it but not half as proud of it as I am you because Honey anybody could be proud of you.  Well, I've got to go now.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Bye Honey

Love always, L.J.

over

Honey send pictures of you and Babies as often as you can.