Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
(Written hurriedly at quarter to seven)
Dear Aunty Clara,
Saturday
A combination of the army taking up all my extra time and my being terribly chilled, feverish and tired made it impossible for me to write any letters on the 7th of July.
I'm better now & details will follow in other letters this evening.
So-long, /s/ Roman
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 944
TO BE FILED: MRS BOYERS 1ST LETTER OF SAT 6/24/44
"Dear Ro:
First of all congratulations on your promotion. Well, hows tricks down in that part of the world? I hope you're O.K. By the way, hasn't anything caught up with you yet? By that, I mean things as malaria & other things the other fellows catch. We hear so much about that back this way, that we're beginning to believe everyone that's been down there must have it, or a touch of some kind of tropical fever. I know Skees had been in New Guiana (?) only a short time when he wrote home he had some sort of a rash all over his hands. Well, anyhow, I hope you're in the pink, or brown, as the case may be. You'll probably be so dark when you get back that we won't be able to recognize you.
(continued in our next.)
ED NOTE: Isn't she cheerful, though?
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: THE SECOND PAGE OF MRS. BOYER'S LETTER OF 6/24/44
"I received the little song sheet, but as yet haven't heard it, because I haven't been around any one that has a piano. Very few people carry pianos around with them these days. Can't get away from the "corn" can I? Thanks, any how for the song sheet. Maybe some day I'll run across some one who can read notes, until then, I'll suffer in silence. Seems funny to hear you call Bob a fighting Irishman when his name is Boyá, but speaking of Bob, he's in Camp Springs, Wash. D.C. right now. I suppose he has written to you tho' & told you all about it. He's on pins and needles, hoping every time a sqdn leaves, he'll be in it, but between you & me, I've been praying against him, as Wally Berry says to his wife in that marine picture or didn't you see it?
ED NOTE: For once Bob hasn't written to me and this time she thinks he has.
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF LETTERS WRITTEN BY MRS BOYER ON 6/24/44
"I hope you get all these letters at the same time. I know I got 4 of yours once, all at the same time.
Oh yes, about that snapshot I sent to you of Muriel & I. It sure was a dud, but you being the gentleman that you are, had nothing but nice things to say about it. Alright, but I just want you to know that I know you were fibbing, but in a nice way, of course.
You were right, I got the song sheet about a week after I got your letter telling me about it, but why go back to the song sheet again.
Thanks for all the latest dope on the boys from Cicero. I never hear anything about any one from there any more. Yes I remember Jr. Barta & was I surprised to hear about J. Kotek. More power to him.
ED NOTE: No comment.
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: THE LAST OF A SERIES OF 4 LETTERS WRITTEN BY MRS BOYER 6/24/44
"Never you mind, that Klick fellow will be home some one of these days, medals & all, & I'd rather see him, than 150 Nemecs. Glad to hear living conditions are shaping up, it would be too bad if you had to move again just when you have things all fixed up. Glad you fellows get to see so many shows & your letter sounds like you have some real "get-togethers".
"Nothing new happening here in Chi of any importance, unless you'd call the Republican & Democratic conventions important, that are to be held here this month. We're having real summer weather now, so until the next time Muriel & I wish you the best of everything. Cheerio. How's your Aunts & your Dad?
"Mrs. Boyer
Do you still write to "your" little Lana Turner?
ED NOTE: It so happens that Pat's girlfriend lives in the same house as Dorothy Anderson who was a friend of Muriel Boyer who found out about "little Lana" thru those channels of gossip. During my furlough I showed her the picture I had at the time.
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: PAT'S LETTER OF JUNE 21, 1944
"Dear Ro,
Received your letter today and was very glad to hear from you. By the way, congratulations, I see that you have been promoted. Gosh, Ro, I can't tell you how grand I think it is.
Now I have a lot of time so, I'm going to try to write more often. I haven't gotten a job as yet. I'm helping my mother with her spring house cleaning. I do all the washing and my dad does all the painting. Yesterday I washed the pantry and today my right side is very stiff and it hurts. I still have a lot of house work to do, before the day is done.
My girl friends are working at Sears in the office. They aren't making much, but the jobs are pleasant and a lot of fun. I think I'll go down there this coming Friday.
I haven't been anywhere as yet. It really doesn't feel like a vacation. It's been raining a whole week now. If the weather changes, we might go to St. Charles some Saturday. Some of my friends went there last week on a camping trip. They did a lot of canoeing. If we go, we will try to do the same.
I'm going to do a lot of reading this summer. My subjects next year are going to be tough. Chemistry, Math 3a, honor English, Social Science 3b and Gym. Isn't it funny here I've been out of school a week and a half and I'm planning about going back already.
I saw some good movies last week, "Pin Up Girl" and "See Here Private Hargrove". I enjoyed the last one more. By the way how are the movies coming out where you are?
I guess I'd better get back to my housework. So long for now and let me hear from you again.
As Always
Pat
P.S. I just noticed on the envelope which you sent, your APO No. I mailed a V-mail letter to you the day before yesterday and I put on a different APO. I guess that's why some of my letters take so long --- I've been using two numbers, 502 and 709.
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED" PAT'S LETTER OF 22 JUNE 1944
"Dear Ro,
It's very late here in Cicero, but I can't get to sleep so I thought I would write you a letter.
We had a pretty exciting day what with my sister getting herself lost this afternoon and my brother breaking his finger while playing ball. Oh, my, these kids, they will be the undoing of me. I'll be having gray hair before I'm twenty.
I kept quite busy today. I painted an old table and did a pretty thorough job of house-cleaning. I did intend to go to the library to get some books, but I never got around to it. It might sound strange to you, but I do all my book reports during the summer. I just don't have much time while I'm at school, and besides I enjoy the books all the more.
It's very nice tonite. The wind is blowing and the sky is a deep royal blue. I hope it's this way tomorrow, because we are going on a moonlight cruise. Four of the boys from our crowd are leaving for the armed forces within the next two weeks, and this is to be a farewell party for them.
I'm glad I started writing letters tonite, because I'm beginning to feel sleepy. I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow so I'll stop here. Please let me hear from you soon, and may my letter find you in the best of health, sergeant!
As Always
Pat
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: A LETTER TO PAT: 7 JULY 1944.
Dear Pat,
Friday
You sure did make me a happy person today for I received not just one, but two letters from you. You just can't imagine how glad I am to receive your letters.
Yes, I had noticed that the letters, at least the V-mail did come addressed to New Caledonia instead of to this island.
The two pictures you mentioned as having seen a few weeks ago are both here on the island but neither "Pin Up Girl" or "See Here, Private Hargrove" have come to our theater as yet. We did see a very good picture two nights ago. It was "The Song of Bernadette" with Jennifer Jones. Did you see that picture? Within a week or two we are going to see "Standing Room Only" and "The Adventures of Mark Twain" --- both of them have received good write-ups.
The best entertainment of all, however, was the night a group of Concert Stars visited our area and ran thru their entire repertoire for us. There were five members to the group, among them being three vocalists, two men and a woman, a pianist and a violinist. Most of them had been former Metropolitan Opera stars or Individual Concert Guest Artists and you can bet they put on what was probably the very best stage show we have heard or seen during all the time in the army. The selections they chose ran all the way from "The Lord's Prayer" thru "Pagliacci" to "Besa Me Mucho". However, just describing their performance by mere words doesn't do them justice for the ovation they received for their numbers was tremendous.
By the way, Pat, believe it or not, but right at this time I can well appreciate the trouble you went thru with the house work. Since we have been living in these barracks and our office is in a similar building, we know what it is to have a regular "weekly get-together" to pitch in and clean the place from top to bottom and from door to door. Each one of us jokes about our specialty in this barracks-cleaning-proposition and mine has turned out to be Cleaner of the Screens and General Duster.
I'm writing this letter during the noon hour and the time is just about up now. I'll write again soon.
So-long,
Ro.
NOTE: THE ABOVE LETTER WAS HAND-WRITTEN IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM.
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: BOB HESSER'S LETTER OF 6-30-44
"Dear Roman: Received your letter and was glad to hear that you are moving around a little as I suppose it gets monotonous staying in one place all the time.
I had quite an experience the other day when my car caught on fire. It looked like the whole car was going up in flames. It seems I had a short in the automatic choke and my carburetor sprung a leak so when I stepped on the starter it must have ignited the gas. I was running around looking for something to put it out and there was nothing I could lay my hands on. Fortunately a lady came on the porch so I had her call the Fire Dept. They sure came in a hurry. After checking up, the damage was not so bad. A couple of hoses burnt and the fuel pump melted and the carburetor had to be fixed. Altogether I felt pretty lucky.
Since I last wrote you I had a few games of chess. I lost 4 games to one fellow I usually beat 4 out of 5 and on two other occasions I lost 5 games. I guess I'm getting lousy.
Yours
Bob
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: MARY KEELING'S LETTER OF JUNE 27, 1944.
Dear Roman:
Hello, and how are you? Again this year instead of a birthday card, I'm sending you your birthday wishes in this letter. So happy birthday, and lots of luck from Bobby, Red & I. It's hotter than the devil here & Bobby is pulling at me. He is now straddling my back. I'm sitting at Anita's house, and she is ironing. We just had a piece of water melon and I was thinking of you. If you will send me a request I'll be glad to send you some nuts for a birthday gift. How do you like your new camping grounds? I hope this war is over soon, so that we can have a nice swimming party, golf, bowling, and everything else at the same time. Boy we'd have to go to bed for a week.
We went to St. Louis for our vacation and had a grand time. No doubt you know that Aunty Clara waited for us to come over on the way back, but our train pulled in at 6 P.M. and the one to Milwaukee left at 6:20, so we couldn't stop over. Well, lots of love. And take care of yourself and hurry home.
Mary, Red & Bobby
Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 709
c/o PM San Francisco, California
8 July 1944
TO BE FILED: MYRTLE REED'S LETTER OF JUNE 26, 1944.
Monday
"Dear Roman:
Your letter came this morning so I'll sit down and answer it imejutely!.
The place we lived in at 51st was laid out quite differently than the one we are moving into. It had a Living Room, Dining Room Hallway and a Bed Room on one side of the house and a Bed Room, Bathroom, and Kitchen on the other side. But I think we are going to like our new home better, once we get in.
Mrs. Ohlsson (Mrs. Wren) has apparently recovered from her operation and seems to be in good health. Mother was over to see her the other day and said she looked fine.
And now, GRANDPA, for the park situation: I think you would give a lot to be in the park, even on a swing - now wouldn't you? Be honest.
When my cousin, Vincent Johnson, was in (he had been overseas for approximately 26 months), he and mother went over to the "Brads" and I went out at night. Brad took us over to Calumet Park and we had a picnic supper. Then they put Lynne on a swing and the first thing you know, Vincent and I were over to where the other swings were and standing on a swing together - that is on a swing built for OLDER people. Ahem!.
I quit reading for a while. I thought I'd better give my eyes a little chance to rest, but my resolution wasn't so good because today I meandered over to the library and got the book " A Leaf in the Storm" by Lin Yutang. It's a novel of War-swept China. Lin Yutang is supposed to be quite a good writer but as yet I haven't been able to bury my nose in the book, so I can't say just what I think about him.
Mother and I went to see "The Story of Dr. Wassell" last Saturday night and we enjoyed it immensely. When Vincent was in, we saw "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby and that really was good. They had a good stage show too. We were glad they had a good billing at the Chicago that night because it was the first show he had seen in a long time and he had a good time laughing.
It seemed that it rained every day he was here -- as a matter of fact it did and I swear that I got caught in it all the time. One night we were on the Michigan Avenue Bridge and it rained pitchforks, hoehandles, cats, dogs, etc. with not a place in sight to get out of the rain, so we got free baths. Finally, we managed to get to a small alcove in one of the Bridgetender's tower - just room enough for two but before we were through, there were six of us there. So, Vince and I decided to leave and make a dash for the bus. Result - two well drenched, sober people.
Write soon,
Byenow,
Myrt