Parks Air College Aug. 26, 1942

Dear Mother,

     I just received your letter
so will answer it right away.
I have my pass for Labor Day.
I will get into Toledo at 2:05 P.M.
at the Union Station. Sunday Sept.
6. I want somebody to be there to
pick me up. I don't want to lose
anytime. I suppose you could have
a family dinner after I get there.
I would like to see everybody but
my time is going to be limited.
I will have to leave Monday night
at midnight. Of course I want a
little time to spend with Irene.
But I will spend time at home to.
     I thought I would tell you this
week so you could plan for the next
weekend. I hope it is really nice
over Labor Day. I'm figuring on wearing

my O.D uniform home. I think it
will be cool enough to wear it.
     Did you receive the pictures?
It has been cool here all week. I
caught a cold Sunday night on my
boat ride. I didn't go to church
this Sunday but figure on it next
Sunday. I think we will go to the
big catheradal in St. Louis Sunday.
There is always people inviting us
to go to church with them.
     Sunday night William Brewer
and I have been invited out to
dinner at the girls place I met last
Sunday.
     We get paid again before Labor
Day so I will have plenty of money.
I will give Glenn's back to him then.
I want some of mine put in the
bank. I was going to send it but will
give it to you Labor Day.
     I have been busy writing

letters today. One to Cliff's, Luella,
Irene and you. That is all I do
now anyway is write. My finger
has a clalouse on it where my
finger hits the fountain pen. We really
have a lot of notes to write up in our
notebooks. I have three manuals to
bring home. You can understand more
about a propeller when you see these.
Well I guess this is all for now.
I hope everyone can be home either
Sunday or Labor Day. Irene's folks
wants me over there for one meal.
I wish I could make it so I could
get to church but I guess I won't be
able to make it any sooner than 2.
Tell anybody that asks I will be there
Sunday afternoon before Labor Day.
Goodbye for now.
                               Love Ralph.


Background Information:

• The cathedral that Ralph referred to is most likely Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Here is a link to its history: 

http://www.oldcathedralstl.org/history.html

• If you're interested in the history of Toledo's Union station, here is a link: http://www.toledohistorybox.com/2012/05/28/toledos-old-union-station/

The next letter will be posted on September 1st.

Parks Air College Aug. 24, 1942

Dear Mother,

     Well here it is about 11:45 P.M. I am out at school
and nothing to do for a few minutes. It has really turned
cool here since Sat. Saturday it rained here and then cooled
off We have to have a sheet and blanket over us.
     Yesterday Red Davis and I went around together in
the afternoon and then at night most of our class
went on the Admiral. This is a big pleasure boat.
It has five decks and is only three years old. It is
streamlined and three of the decks are enclosed in class [glass]
It has air conditioning in it. Really is a nice boat. It
was a swell night to. The moon was really clear over
the Mississippi.
     We met a couple of girls in the afternoon and they
went on the boat with us. It made the trip more
entertaining and pleasanter just to have some one to talk
to. They were really nice girls, they live in one of
the best parts of town. One of the girls was from
Nashville Tenn. They were aunt & niece. About the
same age. Nothing serious will turn up between
us two tho so you won't need to worry about me
falling in love out here. There is only one for me
and you know who that is.
     I saw the captain today. I can get a pass from
after school Sat. and don't have to be back until
4:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. If we have school
Sat. afternoon instead of evening I think I will be able
to make the 9:30 train. This will arrive in Toledo
about 11:30 Sunday morning. I hope my plans this
way wont be spoiled. Don't know for sure if they are going
to have school in the afternoon yet or not. I'll let you know
more about it later.
     We have been so busy studying lately I haven't
had much time to write many letters. I know I owe almost
everybody a letter but my lessons come first. For the
two weeks on hydromatic props I got a grade of 87. The
class average is about 82. I was one of the seven
high in our class. There were 2 that had a 91.
     I suppose you have been awlful busy canning.
Well all I hope is to have a swell dinner when I
get home. I have been invited over to this girls house
next Sunday for dinner. If I want to accept I don't know
if I will go or not. I try to be true to the one back
home, but a person gets tried of just seeing and talking to
soldiers all of the time.
     Well class is over and we are back at the barracks.
I will finish writing this before I call it a day. We
have started studying the Curtis [Curtiss] electric controllable prop.
I think this will be the hardest of all of them.
I will bring home some of my books so you can
see what we have been going through.
     As usual news is scarce only military
work and work. So I don't have much to say anymore.
I am sending some pictures we took in Kentucky
and around here by the barracks. So long for now.
I must sign off. Hope to see you soon. Goodnight.

                                              Love. Ralph.


Background Information:

• This letter was written on a piece of notebook paper. Previous letters were on his own stationery or U.S.O. stationery.
• If you google "hydromatic propellers on world war 2 planes", many images will be provided and other sites will be listed. You can also find information on the Curtiss propeller.
• For more information about the boat, here is a website. I don't usually use Wikipedia, but it had the most details.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Admiral

The next letter will be posted on August 26th.

Post card from Aug. 19, 1942

• The information printed on the back of the post card tells about The Municipal Auditorium and Community Center (U.S.O. was located there). Here is what it says:

   Erected at a cost of about $7,000,000, the new Auditorium and Community Center is one of the finest structures of its kind.  Monumental in its design, the building is a center of the city's communal life .  .  .  .  the scene of large conventions, meetings, grand opera, etc.

 

Post card to his brother Aug. 19, 1942

U.S. Army Air Corp.
Pvt. Ralph W. Brown.
  Class 1-42-C
Parks Air College.
E. St. Louis Ill.

Thanks for the money.
I got paid Sat. so
will return it Labor Day.
I am quiet sure I will
be home. Here's hoping
so anyway. So long
for now.
               Bill

Background Information:

• Glenn is Ralph's (Bill's) brother who lived on the farm with his parents.
• I will post the actual post card later. Look for it on Aug. 21 or 22.

The next letter will be posted on August 24th.

August 16, 1942

Dear Mother,

     Here it is Sunday again. The
time seems to be going so fast. I have
been haveing a swell time today.
     This morning another fellow and I
decided to go out and have a good time.
We came over to the U.S.O. and then
went out to Forest Park. Was at the
zoo for a while and then sponged
again. I am getting good at this. After
that we went over to the Highlands
it is a big amusement park. Some
girl hollered at me as if she knew
me. I found out it was the girl where
I have my pictures taken. She had
two girl friends with her. So we ran
around for a while and rode on a
few things. This girl lost her husband
in the Pearl Harbor attack. She is a
swell girl I kinda forgot about being

so homesick when you have someone
to talk to. After they left we ran
into two other girls we met on the
street car in the morning. We was with
them for a while and now we are back
to the U.S.O. It is 8:00 and we are
deciding how to wind up our day.
     We have had a grand time tho.
Nothing serious between the girls and
us though just someone to help us
make our day a success. Everyone is
willing to lend a helping hand here. People
even go out of there way when they pick
us up. I think the U.S.O. club here
is doing more than its share. I wish
you could see it. You would think there
wasn't a worry in the world. Singing,
dancing, games of all kinds and pinics.
     I have been awlful busy studying
 this last week and will be the next week.
Only have five more weeks here and
then a change of country and address
again.
     I think I will be able to make
it home over Labor Day. Nothing for
sure yet, but I think I can make it.
Here's hoping I can anyway.

     I will tell you more about
it when I find out for sure. Here
keeping up hope anyway.
     We got paid finally. I drawed
$97.30 up to the first of August. I will
be paid again before Labor Day so I
might take a plane from here to
Toledo. One of the boys did and it
only cost in $13 to go to Kansas City.
I am looking forward to it anyway.
     I am going to get some more pictures
taken tomorrow for all of them. I here
Irene was over the other night. How
is she? I been getting a lot of letters
from her but she doesn't talk much
about herself.
     Well I can't think of much more
to say now. I have been haveing a
grand time for the last two weekends

now. Hope I can keep it up.
Well so long for now. Hope to see
you soon.
                                   Love
                                        Ralph


Background Info:

• Here is a link for additional information about Forest Park & the Highlands that Ralph visited.  http://www.forestparkhighlands.com/
• I typed this letter as it appeared so the reader would have a better idea of how many words fit on each line and where a page ended. It does make it somewhat harder to read (and type), but that is how his mother would have been reading it.

The next post will be a post card on August 19th.

Parks Air College East Saint Louis, Illinois Aug. 11, 1942

Dear Mother,

Well I had my trip over the weekend and enjoyed it very much.

We left here at 3 in the morning got a ride with one of the other fellows as far as Vencenes [Vincennes] Ind. Then we hitch-hiked from there into Louisville Ky. We made it in 3 rides it only took us 7 hrs. I went to church there and then this boy's sister picked us up at church. There was 3 of us whom went. We had a grand dinner and was ready to eat to.

Louisville is larger than I figgered. It is right along the Ohio River. There was lots of buildings that had the marking on them from the flood of 1937. Some of them were marked as high as the 3rd floors. Still can see some of the places where it took all the houses.

After dinner Bob the boy we went with visited with his folks and Bill and I slept. We needed it to. About 4 o'clock they took us for a ride to see the town. We were out to the Churchill Downs. They only have races there about twice a year. The place is all flowers now. Its just like walking into a big flower garden.

Then we went to a big park there. Louisville is a little hilly but not bad. The park was in the hilly section.

They were all glad to see us and everybody was inviting us over. Bob's friend's could hardly get away so we could come back. We came back on the train. Left there at 11 o'clock and got back here at 7:30 Monday morning. I really enjoyed the trip.

Yesterday I got a package of candy in the mail. I guess it was from Irma, and Irene. They had some crazy things added to it but I enjoyed getting it.

Well I can't think of much more news. It has been cool here all week. I hope it stays that way.

I haven't received any pay as yet. If you could spare a little money it would help me out. Signed the pay roll but don't know when we will get it.

Well we have plenty of school work to keep us busy. It is getting some of the fellows down. Had a two weeks final exam Saturday night. I got a 78. It is better than class average. Three of the boys failed. So now they really have to study.

Well it is almost time for everybody to be up. So I guess I will have to sign off. I took some pictures Sunday. I'll get some prints made soon as possible. I hope they turn out good.

Tell Ruth to tell Donna I've been so busy that I haven't had much time, but will write as soon as possible. Maybe today yet.

Still receiving shots. Get another one today for tetanus. Hope they are soon over. The last one almost knocked me down. Three typhoid shots and 3 tetanus shots and a small pox vaccination. I think there is a couple more shots somewhere along the line. Ought to be healthy when I get out. Well so long for now.

Ralph


Background Information:

• Here is a link to a slideshow and information about the 1937 Louisville flood. http://archive.courier-journal.com/article/20120118/ZONE07/301180045/1937-flood-changed-Louisville-forever

The next letter will be posted on August 16th.

Post card Louisville, KY August 9, 1942

Hello Mother,

Here I am in Kentucky.
Having a grand time. Lots
of sights to see. Can't stay
long enough though.
I will write more in
a letter later on. Left
E. St. Louis at 3 AM got here
at 10:15 AM.

Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 11th.

Parks Air College East Saint Louis, Illinois Aug. 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just received your letter so will write while it is still fresh in my mind. It didn't rain here Sunday but Sunday evening it cooled off and is swell out now. It is around 80 degrees and 85 degrees. It has been for the last 3 weeks around 105 degrees to 110 degrees.

Do you mean Mr. Meyer won't be working at Sandusky any more? It does seem like everyone around is getting married. I guess June and Vernon thought it would be cheaper. He works in Findlay Ohio and he thought it would save so much driving and his tires were poor.

How did you get tires for my car? I got the picture and suitcase ok. I got a box of cookies from Marie but they were pretty well smashed but still tasted good. I got five letters this morning. One from Irene, Irma, Lenore, Jeane Crosby she worked with Irene and a fellow I worked with at Sandusky.

I sent my name into the weekly caller. I got one paper from them all ready. It kinda cheers a fellow up even though he can't see the people.

This comming Sunday I have been invited by one of the fellows to go home with him to Louisville Ky. I haven't received any pay yet but should soon. I hope I have enough to go.

I have had a little spare time from studying lately so I have been trying to catch up on my letters. It seems good to receive them but it is so hard to write. Nothing seems to be news anymore it is eat, sleep and study. I haven't been up town this week. Tomorrow we have a garrison inspection so I won't be able to go then.

Sunday I believe I have had these best time since I have been in the army. I went to the U.S.O. club. It is as big as the Civic Auditorium in Toledo. If I repeat myself it is because I've wrote so many letters this week I forgot whom I wrote to. I think I sent you one letter this week. I really did have a nice time. They try to make everybody enjoy themselves.

Well I guess that is all of the news for now. It is getting near time to go to school anyway. Goodbye for now. Tell Ruth I will write when I have time. Tell her not to get married like everybody esle. Is Ilene Carr still out in Denver? Well so long.

Ralph


The next posting will be on Aug 9th.

Background Information: 

• I am guessing that the "weekly caller" is a newspaper from either Metamora OH, Berkey OH, or Blissfield MI.

• Here's some information about the rationing of rubber and an interesting website with even more details:

http://www.sarahsundin.com/

The first nonfood item rationed was rubber.  The Japanese had seized plantations in the Dutch East Indies that produced 90% of America's raw rubber.  President Roosevelt called on citizens to help by contributing scrap rubber to be recycled, old tires, old rubber raincoats, garden hose, rubber shoes, bathing caps.

To ensure enough rubber for military and vital civilian purposes, tire rationing was instituted on December 27, 1941. The program ran through December 31, 1945. Local Tire Rationing Boards issued certificates for tires or recapping upon application. Certificates for new tires were restricted to vehicles for public health and safety (medical, fire, police, garbage, and mail services), essential trucking (food, ice, fuel), and public transportation. Recapping was allowed at the discretion of the local board for any of the above, and occasionally for taxis and defense workers who shared rides. Civilians were allowed to keep five tires per automobile, and were required to surrender any others.

AMERICA NEEDS YOUR SCRAP RUBBER

Most of the world’s supply of natural rubber came from rubber tree plantations in Southeast Asia, which were quickly occupied by the Japanese in the first months of 1942. Factories converting to military production needed every scrap of rubber they could find, and citizens were asked to turn in old tires, raincoats, gloves, garden hoses, and rubber shoes for recycling. New tires became almost impossible to buy, and people tell stories of lining the insides of their tires with newspaper to make them last longer.

Parks Air College Aug. 3, 1942

Dear Mother,

Well here it is August already. The summer will soon be over before we know it. It is cool here this morning. It started to rain just as we were falling out for roll call, it didn't make anybody mad to miss drill either.

I went to church again yesterday. The Lutheran service is a lot different than ours. The preacher is sure a nice person. He remembered me from the Sunday before. I think I have him drop Mr. Meyer a letter someday. Mr. Meyer said he wanted me to have our chaplain or minister write to him.

Yesterday I went to St. Louis to the main U.S.O. club over there it is in the Municipal Auditorium. It is the larger than the Civic Auditorium in Toledo. Really have a crowd there too. About a thousand girls and all kinds of entertainment. It really is a grand place. They have cookie jars setting around filled with cookies all of the time. Just like sneaking cookies at home.

I can't think of much to say. Nothing happens but school all of the time. We have so much studying to do that we don't have much time to do anything esle. I have been up town a few times. My money is running low. If I don't get some pay soon I will just about be broke. My suitcase arrived ok. Now I can keep my winter underwear in it and have more room in my locker.

I have had the heat rash all over me for about 3 weeks. It is dissappearing now. I hope it doesn't come back. It just about drove me crazy. Have you heard that June Setzler was married? Irene says she ran away and got married. She hasn't been home yet. Irene says she probably scared to come home. She promised her folks she would be married until after the war was over. I hope they aren't to hard on her. She's always had to have her own way tho so I guess she will have to still have it. They are living in Findlay Ohio. That is where Vernon works. I guess he goes to the army soon. Charlie Stutzman will be in by Sept. I guess the Setzler girls will all be without boyfriends. Well I can't think of much more to write. So I guess I will have to close. So long.

Ralph.


Background Information:

• Here is some information I found about the Civic Auditorium in Toledo, OH. 
  If walls could talk, The Toledo Civic Theatre (also known as the Erie Street Market) would tell a dramatic tale, noteworthy to most are the names of such legendary performers as Elvis Presley and boxer Joe Louis. Since being built in 1913, this site has led many “lives”, all sharing one common quality: the focus of public attention. The (Toledo Civic Theatre) is, quite simply, a star. 
  
  In 1913, the Erie Street Market was constructed as an open-air warehouse for wholesale fruit and vegetable farmers. TO sell their fresh products efficiently, the farmers would drive their trucks inside the building, and let the day’s bargaining begin.
  
  In the 1920’s, city officials turned to the Market when the public demanded a gathering place to hold conventions and attract people downtown. They renovated the facility and, in 1927, the Civic Auditorium opened its doors for the first time as a public exhibition and entertainment hall.
  
  The Auditorium’s stage, was host to many famous entertainers and celebrities. Elvis Presley performed on that very stage in the early 1960’s! People from Toledo and beyond came to the Civic Auditorium for trade expos, bridal shows, automobile exhibitions, flower shows and even boxing matches - including a match featuring Joe Louis!

The next letter will be posted on August 5th.