Month: August 1944

31 August, 1944

Dear Folks & All:

I haven’t been able to write to you for a few day’s.  However don’t worry I am well and o.k.  Trust you are the same.

Also I haven’t had any mail from you for quite a spell but I know it will all catch up with me some of these day’s so you see I have something to look forward to.

Another month has passed.  Just think it has been over three years since I have seen Robert and his family.  My how I do miss those children and as far as that goes how I miss all of you.

Mother, you should see my moustache.  Before long I will be able o twirl it on the ends.  How would you like me with that?  Don’t worry I’ll have it off by the time I get home.

We had a pretty good movie last evening for a change.  It was “Bob” Hope and Paulette Goddard in “Nothing But the Truth.”  That Bob Hope is a scream and Paulette Goddard well the men really shouted when she appeared in the movie.

It won’t be long now until the leaves start to turn and then fall.  Boy! Oh boy! How I would love to see that.  Also, with fall the hunting season comes along.  I guess I don’t need to tell you how I love to fish and hunt and be outdoors.  I hope Bobby will be the same way.  No fooling I have seen grown men that don’t know the first thing about nature.

Well the seat is rolling off of me so bad now that I will stop for this time.  I trust this finds all of you well and may God Bless all of you.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Cap’t. L.J. McLoskey

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24 August, 1944

Dear Folks:

Another letter to let you know that I am o.k. and that I pray all of you are the same.

Would I ever enjoy a game of croquet with all of you.  That back yard of ours surely is cool and I could use a little cooling off.  My blood will be so thin that I probably will freeze when I first return.  I can stand it, I can stand anything as long as I get home.

Last evening we had a movie and it really was a stinker.  Most generally it rains whenever we have a show.  We just set in it and watch the movie as that is all the relaxation we get.

This evening the chaplain is having communion and I am going to attend.  I will say a prayer for all of you.

I’ll bet the children will have a grand time visiting Grandmother Dickson.  Does Bobby and Anne still love to ride?  I would like to see them swim and ride both.

Will close for this time as I don’t have much to write.  Write often and I will try and do the same.  Mother you take care of yourself and don’t work too hard.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Cap’t. L.J. McLoskey

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21 August, 1944

Dear Folks:

Mother, I really know why you were always so tired after wash day.  Heavens! I don’t have one tenth the scrubbing to do that you used to but it even makes me weary.  Then when I think how you also ironed the next day I often wonder how you did it.  By golly I surely do hope that I can repay you and dad both for all that you have done for me.

We had a movie last evening.  I don’t know where they get them but they surely are lousy.  It rained but we sat in it because a bad as it was at least it gave our minds a little diversion.

I received a letter from Geneva Simmons the other day.  She surely does miss Dan and is awful lonesome.  If possible why don’t you have her and the children in to dinner some evening.  She always speaks so well of you and mentions how the children like you.

On the next blitz I will try and get something to send Danny and of course something for Bobby.  I suppose that the children are making preparation’s for school.  How I would love to see all of them.  Then as far as that goes how I would love to see all of you.

I will write to you as often as I can and tell you all I am allowed to.

In your letter of 6 August you asked me if I worked in an office.  I would say 2/3 of my work is in the field and that 1/3 of it was paper work.  We also have a heck of a lot of red tape.  At times you feel as if you would go mad.

Did you ever receive the scroll my old outfit presented me?

I am o.k. and pray that this finds you the same.  Incidentally, we have a wonderful chaplain in our battalion.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Cap’t. L.J. McLoskey

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18 August, 1944

Dear Folks:

Just a note to let you know that I am o.k. and that I trust you are all feeling fine.

Mother, I am enclosing a check to you for your birthday.  I know it is a little early but I wanted you to be sure and have it before your birthday.  Perhaps, next year I will be able to celebrate with you, at least I pray I do.

Am rather anxious to see how the election turns out.  I guess Dewey will give F.D.R. a run for his money.

Mother, you tell Grandfather Shawler that I will be glad when I do return and that I am becoming more farmer minded each day.  Yep, don’t be surprised if that isn’t my occupation when this is over.

I’ll bet you had fun at the park with the Frantz and Wilda.  How is your croquet game?

Must close for now.  Write often as I surely do look forward to your letters.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Cap’t L.J. McLoskey

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15 August, 1944

Dear Folks:

The time surely is passing very rapidly.  I noticed by my book that the last time I dropped you a few lines was 11 August 1944.  If my letters are not as numerous as the past it isn’t because I am not thinking of you.  My thoughts are with all of you constantly.

Mother, I hope you are feeling much better and I want you to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest because when I get my leave we won’t have much time to rest as we will be up talking and laughing.  You and dad and I will have to also play some bridge like we used to.

Dad that plan you asked me if I was in on is close but not exactly the place.

I surely do miss my dog.  Yes, dad I will always want a dog but I don’t believe I would be interested in raising them.

No more news except I am o.k. and I pray you are the same.  I also hope to be home on leave in four or five more months.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Capt. L.J. McLoskey

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August 11, 1944

Dear Folks:

Eureka! Yesterday I received your letters of July 12, and July 18.  Was I ever glad to hear from you.

I am glad that Mrs. Peterson called you and I am also happy that she liked the letter.

Well it is a small world.  I was going through the record books of my men and I run across Corporal Clyde F. Long, born in Smithshire, Illinois and graduated from Roseville High School.  I immediately looked him up and it is the lad who married Ed Colwell’s daughter.  He acted like he was plenty happy to see me.  We had quite a gab fest.  If you see any of his relatives you tell them he looks fine and is doing alright in his job.

As I have written before they surely will send me home after one more operation but God only knows when that will be.  My nerves are getting kind of tattered and worn but I’ll be able to weather the storm so don’t worry about me.

Mother, it is wonderful of you to get the Aunts clothes.  You and dad have both surely been wonderful to them.  That is the American way and that is what makes the men such great fighting men.  They all are anxious to return to their families, relatives, wives, and sweethearts.

Did I tell you I got a letter from Dan and Jean Frain and they have adopted a baby boy.  They got it shortly after it was born.  They both seem very thrilled and they are a wonderful couple.  I also heard from Jim Galbaugh.  He wrote me a very nice letter.

Must close for this time and I hope this finds all of you well.  Don’t worry I am o.k.  Thanks for the stamps.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Capt. L.J. McLoskey

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6 August, 1944

Dear Folks:

Another Sunday and another week has passed.  Each one that passes I figure I am just that much nearer to home.

Today I was very busy and I am really tired this evening.  So tired that I am going to hit my cot very early.  Also, today I bumped into a 1^st Lt. that used to be a Sgt with me in tanks on the west coast.  I was glad to see that he had also climbed the ladder.  It makes me feel good to bump into men like that.

Mother, I surely could go for some of that good cooking of yours.  Remember, we always had something extra special on Sundays.  

Dad, remember the tank ride you and I took on the west coast?  You should have been with me today in my General Sherman.  When I get home I’ll have plenty for you and I to talk over.  Speaking of coming home I pray that it won’t be too much longer.  I also hope that I get some mail before long.  I haven’t had any since 21 July 44 and that was when I left my old outfit.  I sort of miss all of the old gang.  Be sure to let me know if you get the scroll that my junior officers and men presented to me.  

I am feeling fine and I hope that all of you are well.

As I told the kids we have some gorgeous sunrises, sunsets and moon..  But the insects and bugs damn near drive one crazy.  To top it all off I had a rat in my bunk the other evening and I don’t mind telling you I don’t like them.

Write whenever you have time.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Cap’t. L.J. McLoskey

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8/2/44

Dear Folks:

No mail as yet but it will catch up with me one of these days.

Just finished washing out some clothes.  I let them soak for a couple of day’s and then I take a brush and some soap and go after them.  By golly I really do get them clean.

Most of the officers in the battalion are good guys.  We all get along ok.

Another month, August, and the time is surely going by rapidly as I am plenty busy.  It will be a very happy day when I can return to all of you.

Mother, I could surely use some of that good cooking of yours.  Believe me I really will eat, eat and eat when I return.

Not much news but a few lines to let you know that I am thinking of you and miss all of you.  I know I will be plenty happy when all of this is over.

Keep your chins up.  I’ll be back some day.  Hope this finds all of you well.  I am feeling o.k.

All my love,

Your son, Leo

Captain L.J. McLoskey

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