Letters Ray To Shirl a WWII Love Story

  Nov. 17, 1945      Dear Shirl,       You might as well sit down.   This is going to be the most degodamndetailed letter ever to pass between us.   All of our troubles are caused by one thing - money.   To be blunt, I ain’t got none.   I never did get in my flying time so instead of sacrificing our being together in KC to pay my father more money, I can’t do either one.   My pay at the end of this month will be 166.00$. The musts’s out of that are 60.00, 50.00, and 20.00.   That leaves 36$ to buy supposedly 90 meals, get Christmas presents for you, your mother and Eddie, Mom and Myles, Ken’s and Lee’s kids, buy 30 packs of cigarettes, send Christmas cards, have at least six uniforms cleaned and pressed, call you and Mom on Christmas Day and a couple of small items like razor blades etc. etc.   Right now I’m laughing about it.   It sounds so ridiculous.   Usually it doesn’t seem very funny and I’d just as so...

  Nov. 13, 1945       Dear Shirley,        There isn’t a lot you left for me to say.   I just won’t say anything.   I’ve got to stick to my guns on this and those debts have got to be paid as soon as possible.   If you think it’s selfish and inconsiderate of me you are probably right.   Maybe I’m like your ring, pretty much phoney.         If you really meant some of the things you said it looks like we’ve got a pretty shaky foundation.          There is one thing I’d like to say.   When you take two and two in August and it equals four, then whittle it down for a few months and in November it still equals four, I think that requires some quick action.        Right now we’re about as far away from each other as we’ve been in a long time and I don’t know how it’s going to turn out.   It’s strange the way things happen.   I wonder what else can come u...

  Nov. 5, 1945       My Darling,      That ole thing about lightning striking the same place only once is hooey.   It can strike twice, and did.   Namely, my father is at it again.   Damnit honey, I’ve kept up my end of the bargain to him but he wants more.   No use going into details but I’ll have to pay out every cent I can.   Not because I really have to.   Maybe it’s pride or just plain stubbornness.   It’ll knock out the trip to Kansas City and even more.   Our Christmas presents from me will be pretty skimpy this year.   No use kidding yourself sweetheart, I just can’t be myself till this is all. Taken care of.   Maybe it’s childish and all that but I’ve got to do it.        All day yesterday I was thinking about the first.   Was going to write a hotel for reservations as soon as I got my flying time in.   Even was going to surprise you and have a thermos bottle full ...

  Nov. 4, 1945       Sweetheart,       Just got back from seeing “Don’t Fence Me In”, Could be that old age is catching up with me or maybe it’s slap happiness but by golly I enjoyed it.   Twas all about Wild Cat Willie who wasn’t dead and buried after all.   The music was like a Hit Parade.   Don’t Fence Me In, Along The Navajo Trail, Kiss Goodnight, and Tumbling Tumbleweeds - even the Last Round Up.   Adda Popular Science and a Leon Errol Comedy and you really get your 15 cents worth.   Aside from all of this the picture boosted my morale considerably.   Another one of those days.   Tch tech, we artists and our temperaments.         We had another meeting with the Colonel this morning. Quote he - We are going to the South of France.   You might not be able to have your wives over the first winter, or the first summer, but we’re going to try to arrange for you to have em over by the second su...

  Nov. 1, 1945       My Darling,       Happy Halloween Sweetheart.   I’d have sent you a card or sump’n only I didn’t find out about it being Halloween until afternoon.   More darned surprises.   For Pete’s sake, tomorrow’s November!   By Golly!         To be absolutely Franklyn I was eager to get your letter.   However, it did come at the best moment.   Things were really black today.   Knew it was gonna be a bad day as soon as I woke up.   Things kept goin down until your letter came this afternoon and then they climb back up.   My little prophecy about the next months being tough is coming true.   Our squadron is being transformed into a photo recon outfit.   More breaking up and reassembling of crews.   They’ll put a lot of men into a hat and then draw to see who’s what.   This’ll make everyone discontent.   Then our date was changed.   Of all the damn da...

  Oct. 29, 1945       My Darling,       I think today I’d have given all my worldly possessions if any, if we could have been together in Palm Beach It seemed like such a wonderful day for it.   Laying around on the beach all afternoon, having supper on the sidewalk, cigarettes during the movie and coffee, Brandy and dancing at the Montmartre afterwards.   It’s hit me before but never quite as hard as today.   The iconic part is that all this was wished while doing my weeks washing.   Cinderellas’ dreams in Ella Cinders or sump’n.   Ah, me to be young again (about 8 1/2 months ago).          Once a week I certainly do get clean hands.   They look so nice with the skin curled up.         This would be a swell evening to be with you.   Sort of extra special.   Can’t figure out the particular reason.   I just feel that I want to be with you tonight.   Nothing el...