ww2letterproject

“… don’t ever worry about any more of this family growing up to be soldiers because, when we get there this time there won’t ever be another time.  If all the other guys in the service feel the same way I do about having my boys grow up in the future to go to war. Then they’ll do the job right.”
–Bill, November 17

 

Bill is transferred to Company I of the 337th regiment of the 85th division.

Eva and May drive to Cincinnati, Ohio, and enlist in the recently-formed Women’s Army Corps (WAC) on November 11. They will do their basic training in Daytona Beach, Florida. There are now four Banis children serving in the US armed forces.

As colder weather begins the family often spends time in front of the radio. Victor Banis recalls, “I suppose there are not so many around today who still have radio memories – real ones, I mean – sitting as we did in the glow of a kerosene lamp, huddled around a tabletop model, listening to…oh, an endless stream of audio dramas – ‘Inner Sanctum’ (guaranteed to give you the willies) or ‘The Whistler,’ or ‘The Shadow’ (who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? – it would be some years yet before we learned the answer to that question). Better dramas, it always seemed to me, than what we got later with television. Why better? Because, quite simply, the thrills, all of them – the romance, the fright, the suspense – depended upon us, our imaginations. We put the drama in the radio dramas, all they did was supply the voices. When, a few years later, you watched the television shows (often, the same stories, adapted to this new medium) they got to show you the monsters. And often very cheesy they were, too. But when you listened on the radio, the monsters came from your own mind. Nothing cheesy there. Whatever scared you the most was what you got. For years it had been lurking, waiting for you to confront it – under the bed, hiding in your closet – and now, here it was, in the room with you, lingering just there in the shadows in the corner, peeking through the darkened window from outside or creeping up the back stairs (‘There, did you hear it? A stair creaked, I swear it did!’).

“Oh, to be sure, not all of what we listened to was scary. ‘Fibber Magee and Mollie’ were funny, and ‘The Lone Ranger’ – well, how could we not warm up to classical music, when we galloped every Saturday across the great west to the melodies of Rossini. Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy. That was Saturday, too.

“But it was the monsters that held sway in our imaginations – That’s just how kids are. Cowboys or ghosts? The ghosts will win every time. Cowboys may or may not be real. Ghosts – just look under the bed if you don’t believe me.”

 

 

 

 

November 5, 1943 — Fort Dix, NJ

Dear Mom:

I just received your package this evening and it was wonderful. You couldn’t have made it any better. And just a few minutes ago your telegram came. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself to send it to me. It’ll sure some in handy. Gee it sure isn’t long till the old day is it. Wish I could be home for Thanksgiving this year. But I don’t guess I’ll be that lucky. Never can tell though. Oh yes! I knew all about the new additions to the Army. And I think its swell. Boy am I proud. Won’t be long til the Irish will be running this war to suit themselves, eh! This Banis family is a strange tribe.

I heard about Vergil going to the army. And I knew when I heard about it that it wouldn’t be long before he’d be crying for help. He’ll be a damn sight better, mom then he was if he sticks it out. They either make you or break you in here. And a hell of a lot of them break.

Well how’s Dad these days. I hope he’s better than he was. Tell him I’ll paddle the boat a ways yet. Say mom you said you were sorry there wasn’t more money. Never be sorry mom. I’m not sorry about anything. We’ll make out in the long run. That was just something that couldn’t be helped. Life’s like that, I guess.

Say Ruth’s sure some gal isn’t she. I wonder how she manages to have so much money. Smart gal.
Well I’d better close. Will write more tomorrow if I get off in time. Still I haven’t had a day off.

Bye now

Lots of Love to all
Bill

 

November 17, 1943 — Fort Dix, NJ

Dear old Mom:

Hows everything at home these days. I got your swell letter and gee you really gave me the low down on all the news. That’s the way I like to get a letter mom. All full of surprises. And this one certainly was. Talk about busy. They sure keep me on the go any more. I just now got in from a night problem and its after 11:00 so I’ll make this letter rather short. I’ll sure bet it was lonesome at home with a few more of them gone. I guess that’s about the way life goes, mom. Sooner or later they’ll all go their way. Just like you say the kids are growing up fast. And I don’t get to see them very often anyway. And when I do they seem like they’ve grown a foot in height. If I don’t get to see them this time, why next time I get there they’ll probably all be big enough to trim me. It looks to me like Dick is getting to be quite a man of late. Maybe after all the orneriness that was in him is worked out he’ll be quite a guy. And how’s Dad. Is he well enough to be working these days.

And Ruth at home! Now you’re talking of going to work. Bye George you know, mom I’m beginning to think that if they ever lick this fighting Irish family they’ll sure have to go some after all the Hell we’ve seen. I don’t believe we can be licked. So keep things going on that end and I’ll raise H— on this side. Between us we’ll do ok. Oh yes! Ruth tells me that Dad’s been papering the house. Holy Joe. I won’t even know the place when I get home. You know mom it looks like I won’t get a chance to get married like I planned. Guess my luck just isn’t running. Maybe I just had my heart set on it too much. God only knows I sure would love to get married. After all I think I have a right to. Considering the time I’ve waited and planned for it. Gee she’s sure been swell mom, its been over a year since I’ve seen her and its beginning to look like it will be a long time yet before I do again. And still she keeps loving me more all the time. Honestly mom she has a heart as big as a mountain and nowhere in the world could I ever hope to find a heart as true as hers.

I’m very much afraid I won’t be home for Thanksgiving, mom. But will you do me one favor for Thanksgiving set a place at the table for me and I’ll be there in spirit if not in true life.
Say you certainly must have a heck of a time with those papers. I wish you’d have told me, I know some people there that would have either helped you or else.

Have you got everything straight now. Let me know. Oh yes! You’ll be getting more money these days. I think altogether it will be $123.00 so that should be a help.

Say don’t ever worry about any more of this family growing up to be soldiers because, when we get there this time there won’t ever be another time. If all the other guys in the service feel the same way I do about having my boys grow up in the future to go to war. Then they’ll do the job right.

Oh! I thought of having Ardis come here and meet me, I asked her about it and she told me that she might not have enough money right away and then she’s working but the job doesn’t even interest her as far as that concerned. If I were sure of anything so that I could make plans then I’d have a chance to get things straightened out

Well its getting late mom, So bye and lots of love to all

Bill