Sun, Sep 10,
1944: a variety of occupations
[language
warning] "While on the subject of fathers, I might mention that the boys
here in Section 5 are sons of men representing quite a variety of
occupations. Ed Burke's dad makes
stationary and Ed's grandfather recently came back from China where he had been
interned by the Japs while a missionary.
Burt Brody's Dad, a Russian immigrant, must be a very successful
accountant; for somewhere he accumulated enough to send Burt to Europe, to a
fancy 'finishing' school, and to Yale.
Then there's Harry Brown, who makes it clear that he hails from Queen,
although his Brooklyn accent and the fact that his father is a Lieutenant in
the Brooklyn Fire Dept. had us confused for a time. Of course, one will find a scattering of
farmer's sons around; but the occupations of the other 20 odd men here are not
known to me. It would make an
interesting subject for investigation....
"Hank
Brown, a very careful, meticulous housekeeper, hit the ceiling upon walking
into the room Friday and finding a mimeographed room inspection sheet, stamped
with our company officer's name and with red marks opposite six listed officers
plus the line ROOM IN GROSS DISORDER.
Buel happened to have a stray appropriately signed slip; so we conceived
the idea of planting it on Hank's desk.
The result was well worth the effort involved; and when Hank indicated
that he was ready to take the grip to the Captain, if necessary, we informed
him concerning the true state of affairs. Hank, being a good guy, sheepishly,
grinned."
-- Letter from my father, Notre Dame, Ind., to
his family, Bloomington, Kans., Sunday, September 10, 1944.
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