The soldiers who receive letters from home are the soldiers who write home. ~ Drill Sergeant Nickerson

Many Thanks to Kady who graciously volunteered to help build this page.

Dad wrote a small piece for my brothers and me, during the time I was in England, as Jim and Don were coming to visit.  I think it fits well with these letters and helps with a few of the names he mentions when writing his folks.

May 30th 1989

Jim, John, and Don,

The place where I was stationed in England was Hitcham Airfield (The Depot Maintenance part of RAF Wattisham), near the little town of Hitcham.  It was West of Ipswich and South of Bury St. Edmunds.  I was in the US Army Signal Corps, 889th Signal Company Depot Aviation attached to the 8th Army Air Force.

I arrived in England on December 1943 and stayed for a few weeks at the base near Oakham, Rutland (Rutland is not a separate county anymore). Spent my first day off in England on Christmas Day in Oakland and that night in a pub called the Royal George.

We then went to Hitcham, where I stayed until September 1945.

I went over on a liberty ship the George W. Gothals and returned on the RMS Queen Elizabeth.

The family I visited in Ipswich was Mr. and Mrs. William German they lived at 424 Bramford Rd. in Ipswich Suffolk.  At that time Bramford Road was a road leading out of Ipswich toward the West.  I think they're both dead now.  I think they had four children, two boys Sid and Ray and two girls Dora and Joan.  They were all young adults at the time.   Ray married after I left and Mrs. German sent me a piece of wedding cake.  Mr. German was a railroad employee with British Railways and I think Sid also went to work for them after the war.

The other family was Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Smith.  They lived in Bramford at Godeta Limes Ave. They didn't have house numbers in Branford just names.  They had only one child, a girl named Muriel.  She was married to a Flight Lieutenant in the RAF.  I think his name was Stanley Beckett.  I never met him. 

The Germans were friends of The Smiths and they actually lived only a few miles apart.

The girl I went with in London was Audrey Stubbs.  She lived at 61 Barbary Rd. North Kensington, London.  Her mother's name was Louise and she had a sister named June.   June was married to a guy named Palmer ( I never saw him) and they had a baby boy while I was there.  They named him Neill Palmer.  Their next-door neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Adams.  They had a son named Ian.  He was about 15 or 16 then.   Mr. Adams was in the automobile business, I think.  Another neighbor was named Bowles they had a little girl about eight or nine named Pamela.  He was a policeman.  After the war with Germany was over we had very little to do so they planned trips for us.  Went to Cambridge and spent July 4th, 1945 at Clacton-on-sea.

1942

Chicago, Ill.

March 31, 1942

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Dear Mama and Daddy,

How is Gene (younger brother) today?  This is one time the measles didn't miss us.  I say us.  It has missed me till yet.  Maybe the measles will be gone when I can come home again.  I don't know when that will be exactly either.  There are no leaves granted under any circumstances except for extreme emergency.

We are hoping to get a few days off before going to Radar (if we go).  I have decided not to go for electronics until after I finish here.  I think Radar will be just as good.  In fact it it probably more practical.  And I'm sure I will have good enough grades to go to Radar.  So many of the boys here (my buddies) who are in E. R. C. (I think this is the Electronics Repair Course he mentioned earlier) will have been in their nine months after this course so they will go on in the Army.  Think we'll go to Radar at Philco in Philadelphia.

Haven't done much this week.  Oh Yeah - Harry James is going to be at the Trianon Sunday April 11th.  Do you think it will keep me from going to heaven if I go out to see him (since it is on a Sunday).  He will also be at the Aragon on Saturday but we will be in school  We have been to the Aragon.  It's real nice.  Eddie Howard is the orchestra out there.  I wish you all would be up here. I am really getting to see some interesting things.  And the thing about it is it don't cost much.  I am actually spending less than I did for Picture Shows in Livingston and Starkville (Mississippi).

We have really had some nice weather here the last few days.  It has been really warm and the wind really feels good.  But all things come to an end and it is looking a mighty lot like rain right now. 

I kinda had some bad luck.  I lost my overcoat at school the other night.  I guess somebody must have swiped it although I can't figure out why they didn't take somebody's which was a nicer coat.  I got me one of those light top coats instead of an overcoat.  I thought I would get more service out of it now - And I could use it for n overcoat at home.  Or Gene or Daddy can if I'm in the Army.

Well, have gotta stop now.  I'm in sort of a hurry.  Haven't got much time to get to school.  Write real soon and after.

Lots of Love

Your Son

L. Em. (for Little Emmette - family nickname)

No Envelope/No Date

Monday Night (I believe this is about April 1942)

Dear Mom and Pop,

Am in shop again this time, and now am listening to the radio we put together.  On headphones too, or really headphone as Johnny and I are listening to the same set of phones.

Was very disappointed last night.  We went to Trianon to hear Harry James but about a million other folks had the same idea and the line at the ticket booth reached about half a block down the sidewalk so we didn't wait to get in.  We went to see Cab Calloway at the Sherman Hotel though.  I wasn't so thrilled at that.  His band isn't so good.

We have been having our Signal Corps Exams for the past few days.  They are pretty "Rough."  Looks like about all this school has been is examination.  Only have three more weeks though, this one and two more.  We still don't know where we'll go or if we will get to come home or not.  I wish they would hurry and tell us so we could sorta make some plans.  It could be that all of us in the E.R.C. will go in the Army.  All of the boys who have been in the ERC nine months are sure of going in.  It's us whose time is not up and the civilians who don't know where we go.

I've been looking for a letter from you telling me the number of the tube so I can send it on to you cause I know you miss the radio.  It's more than one thing that could be wrong with the little radio, but more than likely it's also a tube.  It is wired like a Christmas tree so that when one tube burns out none of the tubes will light up.  Write me and I will send you a 35Z5 which is probably the one which is burned out.  It is the one which gets the hottest and in 90% of the times is the first one to burn out.

Saw Johnnie's Southern Home (Our Southern Home) today and after reading the Geiger Glimpses came to the conclusion that somebody besides Mrs. Shirley must have written them.  Probably some of the Ballards as I saw where Cook (His best friend Cookie Ballard) spent the week in Scooba and the Watts spent the day with the Ballards and where Mattie Rhodes gave a party and Dorothy Ann spent the day with Katherine.  I thought they were much better than usual though and hope we have made a change in repartees. 

Also noticed that Dr. Gilmer was killed in a car accident and that Mayor Geiger Pinson "Proclaimed" a Victory Garden Champion.

What did they ever do about John's (No Clue.  Could be his uncle John Clayton Neel) Case?  Hope they got it settled for good this time.

And has the weather faired up yet so you can do some planning and planting?  You all never did write me whether or not the Timilichee Club* was going to have the Barbecues this year or not.  I hope you do as Geiger will sorta be a dead place this summer without im.

Is anybody running the Gulf Tavern now?  I can't think of anybody around which would take it over though.

How's the Turkeys coming along now?  Do you have any setting yet?  I wrote Tommy (Youngest Brother) I was expecting a big duck dinner when I came home. I 'spect though that if a duck is killed Tommy will have to be killed at the same time.

Well, M..' Connell informs me I've written enough so I'll close for now.  Write real soon and often.  Hope I'll be home in the next few weeks.

*Dad mentions the Timilichee Club in this letter home.  Here's a video about that.  Start at 11:35.  Listen to Sonny Kirkendall, one of dad's childhood friends, speak.  It is like hearing my Dad, Aunts, and Uncles again.  

1943

From: 

Emmette C. Neel 

Hotel Wacker

111 West Huron St. 

Chicago, IL 

To: 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

In lab - Tuesday Nite 

No date but it's postmarked April 7, 1943

Dear folks, 

I'm sitting up here listening in on headphones to Red Skelton.  Know you all are listening too. He is portraying a guy I've never heard him play before.  T/he guy going around to all the bars on Saturday night.  I'm wondering what the mean little kid will do.  Gotta be careful so the lab assistants (there are dozens of 'em) or the class secretary won't see me writing letters.  John T and a few other guys are writing too I see.  We had 4 days to build these sets and this is the second night and we don't have anything else to do but listen to 'em.  It's not as noisy here as it was at Starkville as they won't let us use the loud speakers.  Have to use headphones and they kinda hurt your ears.  

M and John T. and Johnnie went to town this morning.  Saw Joe Reisman (the pianist you know) and his orchestra.  It was good.  Also along with it was a real good show,  "Hello Frisco Hello." All for 40 cents.  Pretty good, eh? 

We graduate 3 weeks from Saturday.  Wish y'all could be here.  They have graduation exercises.  They aren't anything elaborate.  Have them in an auditorium over at Northwestern University (3 blocks from here.)  They make all the other classes in school attend them.  We think that's so they'll be sure of an audience.  We used to fuss every time we had to go, but we are the senior class now and don't think we'll mind attending the next graduation.  We still don't know where we'll go from here or whether we'll get any time off or not.  That would just about kill the morale of this bunch if they don't get to go home.  Every one of us is really anxious to be getting back home.  It seems like a mighty long time since I have seen you all.  I've just made myself not get homesick, but I don't believe I could hold out any longer. 

Mrs. Gaston is leaving Saturday.  I saw her this morning. I think it was.  She has really enjoyed her visit here.  

How are the measles?  Has Sook and Tommy got 'em yet?  Hope they haven't but Tommy informs me in his last letter that he hoped he'd take them as he'd soon have to go back to school if he didn't take 'em. 

Oh yeah Mama. You asked me about Jack Benny.  I haven't heard anything about it.  If he put on a show for anybody it was for the Air Corps school out at the Stephens.  We're civilians you know - only uniforms count, with those shows.  Well out of paper - write real often.  

Love, 

Little Em 

Via Alabama, Tennessee,  & Northern Railroad Corporation Line Telegram

Chicago, Ill.

5-5-43

E. C. Neel

Geiger, AL

Leaving for Philadelphia  (Radar School) at Ten AM tomorrow - No Leave

E. W. Neel 

Telegram Collect- .84¢

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Somewhere in England

December 19, 1943

Dear folks, 

Well, "here it is" - a long long way from home and Christmas coming on and all; it's getting me worried...I'm not so sure Santa Claus can find me when I hang up my stocking next Friday night. You know this will be my first Christmas away from home in my whole life and I am really going to miss being there.  Not that don't miss being at home at any time but seems like Christmas was just made to be home on.   Maybe this will be the last one I'll spend away from home though.  Howell and I have been kidding each other about going home Christmas. We've finally reached the conclusion that we just kind of had the wrong Christmas in mind.  

Haven't had much chance to see the country around here.  Even if I could get out of camp I don't think I could see it for the fog. The darn fog is worse than the blackout at night.  

Our money isn't worth a plug nickel over here until you get it changed into English money.  I bought two bucks worth from a fellow who said he hadn't seen a good ole American dollar in quite awhile.  What I got for two dollars was a ten shilling note or a half a pound.  I still haven't caught on to how change is made but I probably won't have much trouble once they open up a store or let us out where we can spend a little. 

We have a nice place to stay.  Probably the best barracks that we have stayed in.  And the food is also pretty good except for the bread which don't even taste like any kind of bread I ever ate.  I think they must add a little portland cement to it as I don't see how it could possibly get as hard as it does any other way.  

This morning I went to church.  Had a right nice service.  Christmas of course. The American Protestant church is the only one here with a chaplain.  The others, Catholic, etc. have preachers from nearby towns to come in and hold services. 

Have to stop now as have a formation to make in the next few minutes.  I'll write as often as I can only I know it won't be as often as I have been writing or as often as I'd like.  

Write to me real often and soon and give me all the news.  

My love to all.  

L. Em. 

P.S. Will you send me Bobby Farquhor's address? 

P.S. Notice I've got a new APO No.    NOTE - on this envelope the mail inspectors have cut off the return address 

How is Grandma getting along? I have wondered about her and naturally haven't had any way of finding out (I assume he means Georgia Byrd Neel, who died in November 1944 while he was still overseas).  Is there any chance of Uncle Mal (Malcolm Neel Sr.) and them coming over anytime soon?  Sure would like to see them.  I wrote Malcolm (Malcolm Neel Jr., 82nd Airborne) yesterday.  I guess he is still in Oklahoma.  Have you heard from him lately?

Gee I hope you get a letter from me before Christmas cause I know how y'all are- you'll be uneasy about me because you haven't heard and can't enjoy Christmas like you should.  We may get passes for Christmas day.  Here's hoping.

There's no show on at the cinema tonight so I guess I'll just get a good night's sleep.  That's just about the only entertainment we have.  They show American films though so that's good.  They have something over her like the USO called the NAFFI.  Stands for Navy, Army, Air Force Institute.   They sell cake, pies, etc. beer, and soft drinks.  Only over here soft drinks are called minerals.  they cost three and a half pence which is abut six cents our money.

Well, better stop now.  Write often.  I'm mighty anxious to hear from you.

Lots of Love

L.Em

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Sunday night 

December 26, 1943

Dear folks, 

Well, this is going to be an account of how I spent Christmas nineteen hundred forty three.  First though I hope you all had a swell Christms and I only wish I could have been there but I'm looking forward to being there the next time Christmas comes around.  What did all the kids get?  I got a "This Week" magazine from you mailed the eighteenth of November.  Gosh it took a long time to get here but you don't know how glad I (and the other boys too) was to get it.  Sure wish I could get a letter from you all. . I still haven't received one.  They haven't closed up the Geiger post office have they?  I hope my letters are getting through a lot better than yours are.  I at least know where you are and unless you've been hearing from me you haven't the slightest idea where I am.  

Oh yeah I did say I'd tell you how I spent Christmas.  Well first I had a twenty four hour pass from noon Saturday to noon today.  I ate dinner here in camp and Uncle Sam didn't let us down oh his promise to give us turkey.  The dinner was pretty good.  After dinner we got our passes.  I say we, there were four of us.  Norton, another fellow from Georgia and one from Texas.  They're all good guys and are one of the gang of us that stuck together.  We went out and got a ride into the nearest town (nope, can't say what town.)  Everything was closed up so we just walked around and looked.  I've seen pictures of houses like these over here on Christmas cards but I never thought there really were such houses.  A lot of them have these thatched roofs.  Must be a couple hundred years old.  The theatres opened up about five so we went to a double feature.  One English picture and one Hollywood one. I didn't much like either one of them.  We came out and found ourselves in a blackout and I do mean a blackout.  We soon got used to it enough to find our way around and after walking around all afternoon we knew where just about everything was anyway.   We tried to find a place to spend the night but couldn't so we didn't get to use all the time of our pass.  The people here are awfully nice and friendly and all in all I suppose I had a pretty nice Christmas only I still wish I had been home.  

Well I'm getting awfully sleepy and there's no more to write so I'll close.  I'll write again real soon and gosh I sure hope I get a letter from you this week sometime.  We don't get a mail call everyday now.  That's the main thing we look forward to - mail call gets 'em out faster than chow call even.  Goodnight.  

Love your son, 

L. Em. 

1944

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday night

January 4, 1944

Dear Sis, 

Sure was glad to get your letter a few days ago and I'd have answered sooner only it wasn't any use to write as it wouldn't have gone off until tomorrow on account of the holidays.  I'd have written last night only I had K.P. yesterday and I didn't feel like doing anything but sleep.  So you liked the moron jokes huh?  I heard a couple of good ones tonight only I don't think they're the kind I could repeat to my sister.  How was the glee club and the song and all?  I take it from a letter I got from Phil that he took Kae Boyd and I gathered as much as that he (Phil) took Miriam and you went with B.B. Hawkins.  He said you had spent the weekend down to Aunt Ruby's.  Have a good time?  Sure am glad you got to go.  you must be an awfully popular gal down there.  What tickles the heck out of me is Ada taking Cookie.  Did Paw let him have the pick-up?  What did you do during the holidays?  I got out a right smart.  Am really getting to see how the English live.  It's not bad at all here.  The people are very friendly and can't seem to do enough for us.  I went to a couple of dances.  They dance a lot like us with no jitterbugging.  They have some dances that I can't do but they're lots of fun to watch.  Lots of girls over here too. Mama wrote me about y'all going out to Howell's and Myrt's. Bet you had fun. I've forgotten what postmark you meant, was it the Canadian one?  If it was, Norton writes to a girl there and he gave it to me.  I wish I could send you some from here but I dont think I'd be allowed to, but if I find out I can I'll send you some.  Tell Miriam and Juanita "hey" for me.  I'd like to write Miriam but I'm having a heck of a time finding time to write these girls I already write to. I'd kind of like to think of a good way to stop some of this correspondence now.  Paper is scarce as everything and I'd like for y'all to send me some kind of like this if you can find it.  Also tell Gene to get me some chewing gum from Miss Bess if he can.  He usually does.  Tell him for a box I'll sell him the fountain pen.  That's if I didn't promise it to somebody else.  I can't remember whether I did or not.  Thank Jo Ann and Betty for the Christmas card for me will you.  Hope you write to me real soon and often.  Give all the folks my love. 

Your bro - 

Bub

P.S. Got a letter from Camille the other day. 

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night

January 6, 1944

Dear Mom, Pop, and all, 

No mail today.  No nothing much but a long cold winter day. I say a long day but I don't mean actual daylight.  It's way up in the day before the sun comes up and sets real early.  I know this country must be beautiful in the summer and I'll sure be glad when summer comes.  Imagine it will be longer coming than it does at home though.  

Haven't been out at all this PARTS REDACTED HERE BY INSPECTORS It's not bad though guess it's for the best as if I don't stay in some I'll soon run out of shillings. 

Oh yeah I would like for you to send me my civilian shoes.  I got issued some new shoes and they both (both pairs I mean) have rubber soles and you know how I hate rubber soles on shoes.  

About the letter situation.  I think if you mail my letters airmail I'll get them about as quick as any other way.  I haven't gotten a letter from any of you that was written later than the first of December.  The latest one I've gotten was from Ruby Grace written the thirteenth.  She sent me a dog tag chain.  'Course I don't need it a bit in the world but I appreciated it just the same.  Margie is sending me something, I don't know what;  it hasn't come yet.  By the way Mama, did she ever write you.  She wrote me that she wanted to and I sent her your name and address.  Thanks a lot for sending the Yankee girls my address. I kind of wish now I hadn't told you to as it's getting awful hard to keep up that stack of correspondence.  

Oh yeah I wish you'd pay that insurance payment this month when it comes due.  Out of one of the allotment checks.  And by the way did you get the one for this month?  This was the month I had had it started and it was taken out of my pay.  I got six pounds ten shillings.  Sounds funny as heck doesn't it?  Well that's about twenty six bucks.  

We can't go to the show here on the base in fatigues anymore: love to wear fatigues. So lazy as I am the cinema just has to get along without me except when there's a special good picture on.  

No more news for tonight.  WE'll write again tomorrow night.  

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

January 9, 1944

Dear folks, 

Well, it's going to be awful hard trying to write a letter tonight as nothing has happened since I wrote last.  I did miss breakfast yesterday morning which is unusual since I've been in the Army. I'm getting to be a regular chow-hound. I didn't wake up until eleven o'clock and if I had slept another hour would have slept through dinner too.  Why didn't the boys wake me up?  Well, they were asleep too.  I had fully intended going to church too, but church starts at eleven so I didn't make it.  

Haven't gotten a single letter this past week.  Margie sent me a real nice sweater.  Feels good these cold days too.  The package came Wednesday I think it was.  And one of my buddies from Atlanta got a great big fruit cake the same day.   Well, you know the rest.  It lasted about two days and about six of us think his mother should send him one every now and then. 

I'll close for tonight and get a little shut-eye! Sure hope to get some letters tomorrow.  

Love to all, 

L. Em.  

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night 

January 13, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

I think it's just about time I wrote to you all as it's been three or four nights since I've written. 

Tuesday night I got a pass for twenty four hours.  That gave me Tuesday night and all day Wednesday.  Three of us; Hutchins a boy from Atlanta, McGowan from Texas, and I went to one of the fairly large cities and got a place to stay at the American Red Cross.  It was too late to see anything that night.  I say see anything.  You never can see anything after dark in these blackouts.  Well, it was pretty late when we got up the next morning, in fact they had to come in and just about drag us out.  We ate breakfast at the Red Cross and walked around a bit and wandered through all the department stores (without buying anything of course).  We ate dinner about eleven thirty.  Ate in a cafeteria.  Had a pretty nice dinner.  Fish, baked beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, fried pies for dessert and coffee.  Mac like to have been thrown out for taking two pieces of cheese as one's the limit. Dinner was much cheaper than I had expected.  Cost two and six or fifty cents.  After dinner we went to a show and saw "Stage Door Canteen." Was a good picture and I never did see it back in the states.  That was just about all we had time for.  We got in on time (for once). We all had a pretty nice time and are looking forward to our next pass.  Probably go to another town next time.  Might as well make the best of this little European tour and see some of the sights.  I'd like to send home some picture postcards but they are definitely out on this vacation. 

It hasn't been very cold today but has drizzled rain practically all day long, but boy it sounds like it's turning cold now.  That "ain't" for me. I'll be glad when summer comes myself.  

Are y'all saving my letters. I wish you would as when I get back they'll be kind of like a dairy to me.  

Hope everybody at home is fine. 

By the way Mama, will you thank Mrs. Britton and Miss Mable for the Christmas cards.  I tried to write them but I didn't know how to compose a letter like that.  

Write to me real often.  

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

P.S. Happy birthday Mom.   (Myrtle Wicks Williams Neel was born on 14 January 1900) 

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Saturday night

January 15, 1943 (Has to be 1944)

Dear Mom, 

Happy birthday!   Yeah I know it's the fourteenth and not the fifteenth but last night I had a pass;  you don't blame me for not staying in do you?, and just to be honest I was really supposed to get one tonight too but it's the same old story.  We stay restricted more than the inmates at Kilby Prison.  At least they get to go home for Christmas.  But I guess that's the Army for you.  But a guy can't help but wish he was back home.  I think whenever I do pull in there one of these days, it will take a caterpillar tractor to pull me off again.  It's been nearly three weeks since I've had any mail from you.  I certainly hope my mail is getting through better than that and especially hope the situation improves some.  Three weeks is an awfully long time to wait for a letter from home.  By the way did you ever get the picture I had made just before I left the States?  And if so what did the thing look like?  You were really supposed to get two as I couldn't get less than three and I sent Margie one.  Maybe I should have sent Ruby Grace one but darn it I tried for three years to get her to give me one and never got it and I can be stubborn too.  Or do you know that?  

How's everything and everybody in the big city?  Did daddy get the man from Tom Ingram for next year or is he going to put the place in pasture like he was going to do at first.  Tell him I'd like a map like he sent me when I was in Chicago last year.  How are the oats doing?  They ought to be a mighty fine crop, considering how they were  planted.  Might have known that's where I had lost the fountain pen.  

Well the boys want me to go down to the NAAFI.  That's English for USO.  

Write real soon and often and give my love to all. 

Your son, 

L. Em. 

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel

Geiger, Alabama

January 19, 1944

Dear Sis, 

Guess this letter better be to you beings it's your birthday, course it will probably be mine before you get this.  Suppose you think you're a grown young lady now.  

Yesterday we had a big mail call.  We string along for about three weeks with a letter or two then all of a sudden a truck load of it comes in.  I got a Christmas card from Tommy, three letters from him, and a letter from Mama written the twentieth of December.  I also heard from Aunt Martha and Malcolm.  I take it that until you wrote you didn't know where I was.  Suppose you do now though as I got a V-Mail from Ruby Grace and she had heard from me the thirtieth and I wrote to you all about three or four days before I did her.  I'd rather you didn't write to me V-Mail though.  The best way we've found is by Air Mail.  It gets here just as fast, sometimes faster, and doesn't look so much like a postal card as that V-Mail does.  

We have moved to a new location, also have a new A.P.O. number.  I don't like this place nearly as well as I did the one we just left.  The mud is just about like it was on Daddy's route only the sun shines so seldom it never dries out.  Haven't been out of camp yet.  We're still restricted as usual.  I hope I like it outside as well as I did the other place but I don't see how I can.  

I got my first copy of the Southern Home yesterday.  It came direct from Livingston.  Heaven only knows what happened to the two copies Mama mailed me.  Soon as you can drop by and give Mrs. Lawrence my new A.P.O. number.  Quite a write up she gave me, and I was glad to hear where Johnny McConnell was.  Anybody know where Jack Gaston is?  Is Bobby Farquhar still over here? 

Sure was sorry to hear about Mr. Watt.  That was the first I'd heard of it.  

Did you have a big time at the Gulf Tavern, at the dance you gave for Earl?  How long is he going to be at Chicago?  Or does he know?  Does Gene dance now?  I thought it was so funny when Tommy wrote me Uncle Harry gave him a box of stationary for Christmas.  It will last him a lifetime.  Is the record player still working alright?  

How's the music lessons coming along?  When I get back this time you should be able to play most anything.  

I better stop now, anyway I've run out, so I'll close for this time.  Hope to get a lot of letters real soon.  Tell everybody hello for me.  

Lots of love - 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Friday night

January 28, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad and all, 

Was certainly glad to get your letters yesterday.  Air mails from Moma and Sis written the eleventh and twelfth and a V-mail from Tommy.  Also got a letter from Gene written December the eighteenth and another from Tom written the seventh of December.  I have also received quite a few more Christmas cards.  Got yours day before yesterday.  Wish you would thank Maud and Howard and Cousin Jesse for theirs. 

Surely was sorry to hear about Grandma and was certainly relieved to hear she is better.  You see I read Tommy's V-mail first and didn't get any details.  He only said that she was awfully sick and that you had called Uncle Mal.  Glad he could come and know you were glad to see them.  Do they know when Malcolm is coming home yet? 

Thanks a lot for Bobby's address and also Joseph's.  I wrote to Bobby today.  It shouldn't be any trouble to get in touch with him.  I haven't written to Joseph as I don't exactly know how to write to a first lieutenant.  

I get a pass tomorrow at five p.m. to Sunday at five.  It will be my first time out here and I don't know exactly how it will be.  A few of the boys have already been out though and they don't like it nearly as well as the other place.  You see now we only get out once a week but we get a twenty four hour pass then.  Not so bad.   

I'm working at night this week.  Next week I'll work in the day time.  I really like the night work better. 

If there's a delay in my letters don't be alarmed.  It will just be that I have run out of Air Mail envelopes and am having to send them "free."  I doubt if you'll even get them.  We have been buying them without any trouble but right now we can't get any.  Hope it won't be long before we can get them again but you can't ever tell.  

Hope to hear from you real soon and often.  There's no news here.  Goodnight.  

Lots of love, 

L. Em. 

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Saturday night

January 28, 1944

Dear Sis, 

Was very glad to get your letter yesterday which was mailed the eleventh of December.  This mail is really crazy.  The letters never come in the order they were mailed, especially the three centers.  They aren't as fast as Air Mail and V-Mail but just the same. I'd rather wait a few days than get a V-Mail.  

I'm glad you liked the necklace.  I have wondered if you got it alright, as nobody had mentioned it in any of the letters.  

I got a nice Christmas card from Florence yesterday.  Thank her for it, for me, will you?  

How was the dance at the Gulf Tavern?  Or did I ask you that?  Anyway I wish I could have been there, too.  Who was there?  Have you bought any new records lately?  Whose radio do you use down there when you take the record player?  

There's no news.  Write me all the news and tell everybody "hey" for me, especially Juanita and Miriam.  

Lots of love 

Your bro. 

L. Em. 

889th Signal Co. Depot Avn.

APO #635

Thursday, February 10, 1944

To: Mrs. F. H. Williams (his maternal grandmother)

Geiger, Alabama

Dearest Granny,

I haven't very much time to write but as it has been so long since I have written to you I'll just have to write something if it's only a note.  How is everything at home? Hope Everybody is fine. Have I written you that I got a letter from Uncle Harry (his mother's brother) a week or so ago?  Was a nice letter.  Said they wanted to come to Geiger for Christmas but of course couldn't with gas as it is.  Do you plan to go down there any time soon?  If it is as cold at home as it is here I think I'd be wanting to go spend the winter down there.  It snowed this morning about daylight but it has all melted now, but looks like we might be getting some more before morning.  

I got some letters from Mama, Daddy, Tom (brother), and Myrtle Ruth (sister), Tuesday which were written the day after Christmas and the first few days of January.  They all had three cent stamps on them of course.  Glad you're mailing them all by Air Mail now as they nearly always come in about ten days.   I was out on Pass again Sunday night and Monday - Had a real nice time.  I'll have a lot to tell when I come back.

I better stop now.  I think of you always even if I don't write very much.  The letters I write to the folks are for you too.

With Love

L.Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Saturday night

February 12, 1944 

Dear Mom, Dad and All, 

Haven't had a letter from you in quite some time now other than the ones I got the first of the week which were written Christmas, but I was only too glad to get those.  Maybe in a few days all those I've been missing will come in.  

Nothing much has happened this week other than my going on pass the first of the week which I enjoyed pretty much.  I get another next Monday night and Tuesday.  I'm seeing a pretty good bit of England but not as much as I hope to later on. A while ago I went to Leicester and I went to Nottingham once.  One of these days, in a few months, we're supposed to get furloughs.  If and when I ever get one I'm going to spend it travelling around.  

I have been working lately and am kept pretty busy but I'm doing the job that I'm supposed to do in the Army and not digging latrines, etc. Like I was back in the states and believe me that makes a big difference.  

I'm glad the picture was good you see I never got a chance to see it as all I could do was have it made and they send it to you. The post exchange had that service there.  Nice of 'em, huh? And oh yeah, Mama, Justyn wrote to me and she asked me for a picture and I told her it was O.K. by me for her to have the extra one so if you haven't already "disposed" of it wish you'd give it to her.  

How is Grandma now?  Certainly hope she is much better and hasn't had any more trouble.  

I haven't heard from Bobby Farquhar yet.  He must not be as near as I had first thought.  It's been over a month since I've heard from Malcolm too.  Hope he does get to go to Geiger when he goes home.  

That's just about all I have time for now.  Write real often.  

Love to all, 

L.Em.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night 

February 14, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Sure was glad to get your letter today mailed the eighteenth.  That's not such bad time.  It's the first letter I've had this week.  Nobody has had very much mail.  We're looking for a big pile of it in a few days. 

Did I write you about going out on pass last Saturday night and Sunday?  Had twenty four hours off.  Went to a pretty good size town, which I'll tell you the name of six month after the duration.  Got there late as the bus I was on gave out of petrol (that's what the English call gas) and we had to wait on a relief bus.  Spent the night at the Red Cross.  I was with one of the fellows I've told you about, McGowan from Texas.  We got up pretty early and had breakfast and walked around  just looking, until eleven o'clock.  Then like all good boys we went to church - Methodist.  The services are pretty much the same only the songs are different.  We had a pretty nice dinner.  Didn't have time for anything after dinner as we had to get started back for camp.  There was a man at church who came up and talked to us after service.  He had travelled over the United States and knew just about as much about it as we did.  The bus must of had plenty of petrol coming back as we got back in on time.  We're planning  on going to a different town on our next day off.  That will be Sunday night and Monday.  

Am certainly glad to hear that Grandma is much better.   I was kind of worried for awhile.  How is Jackie Gibson now?  

How's the weather there now.  Hope it's better by now.  It has been pretty nice here only colder than usual.  So it snowed in Geiger, eh?  Yeah I'd have liked to seen Tommy.  I remember how I used to want it to snow so they'd close school.  It's just about time Geiger had a snow.  It's been nearly three years now hasn't it? 

I kind of figured they would turn Frank down on account of his leg but I didn't know. What about Roger Watt?  Have you seen Herman Hutcheson yet.  I'm sure you would be glad to walk a few miles to see him - ha! I suppose there's no staying around Miss Eva now.  Last time I saw here I had to listen to an hour and a half discussion on the daring exploits of the superman from Beinville.  No doubt he does deserve a lot of credit but she ruins it. 

Glad you wrote to Margie, Mamma, she wrote me she had written to you.  I think she's pretty sweet myself.  

We usually go up to the Red Cross for a cup of coffee about this time every night but for some reason this crew is staying in tonight.  Two of the guys are in a close checker game over here. They remind me of Mr. Bob Nance and Kuykendall.  Their day is never complete without a few checker games. 

Well, guess I better close for tonight as there's nothing of interest to write.  I've got an awful lot of tall tales to tell when I come back home.  Sure will be glad when I get a chance to tell them - but - I'm gonna be darn sure Daddy has his peanuts thrashed before I wander in.  Yeah, I know I will!  

Goodnight now. Write often. 

Your son with love, 

L. Em. 

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Sunday night

February 18, 1945

Dearest Sis, 

Sure was glad to get your letter the other day when I came back from Detached Service.  I enjoyed the trip.  It was to an R.A.F. base in Lincolnshire.  

Bet old Gene enjoyed being home.  Gosh but I wish I could drop in on you all one of these days like that. Seems an awfully long time since I've seen you all.  What I wouldn't give to be there again but gotta wait awhile longer.  

Did I tell you I had a picture made for you.  Mrs. Smith wrote Mama I think.  I had it all ready to send you before I went but didn't have time to get the package censored.  You have to have everything all ready to wrap then find an officer to look it over and watch you wrap it.  It's hard to get everything ready at once but I'll do my best to get it off to you tomorrow or the next day.  I've had 'em back for some time now but you know how it is.  

Thanks a lot for the cartoon.  Been a long time since I've seen one of Harper's.  And I've never seen any cartoons yet that are as good as his.  That guy is really good. 

Sis, I will try to write Mrs. Moon sometime soon.  I think I told you to tell her how much I appreciated her Christmas card.  Case I didn't well please do.  She was so sweet to all of us when we were going to school at L.H.S. 

That was certainly bad about Mrs. Phelps.  I hate to hear anything like that - with William over here somewhere and all it is really sad.  

Haven't been out to the Smith's since I came back.  I'll go out next weekend when I get a pass. I don't go out much now on a six hour pass as it's so blame cold and all.  

Do you all get out for A.E.A. this year? And when is it?  By the way when is Easter?  I'll have to look it up.  I had K.P. last Easter and that reminds me I'm on Tuesday.  Pity me.  Norton is on too.  He went on that course with me too by the way. And what you know we get our furlough at the same time.  

Well must say "so long" for now.  Write again real soon and give everybody my love. 

Always

Your bro. 

Bub

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Monday morning

February 21, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Was certainly glad to get a couple of letters from you yesterday.  One written the twentieth of Jan. the other the twenty fourth.  Gosh it sure took that V-Mail I wrote on that boat a heck of a long time to get there.  But mine wasn't the only one;  all the other boys have gotten letters saying they had just gotten the ones that they wrote on the boat.  I'm getting your letters pretty regular now and I sure am glad.  For a while I wasn't getting them at all.  

Yeah, I know you're getting a lot of work out of that bunch of wage-hands.  If the Matthews are as sorry as Thomas and that crew they ain't worth killing.  Anyway I hope you get the orchard fixed up O.K. but one thing sure I hope I come back before it starts bearing. 

Killed hogs yet?  I'd kind of like to be on hand for a little fresh meat.  And then maybe some ham and eggs.  You know the only eggs we get are powdered eggs.  Any resemblance between powdered eggs, in looks or taste, and real ones is purely coincidental.  

Why can't Russell Gilbert get on the ball in that post office?  What the heck is it to him if a few packages are mailed there.  There's no restriction on sending them now if they're within size.  Seems a shame that any time anybody wants to mail a package to the two or three of us over here from there, that they have to mail them at the Aliceville or Livingston post office.  Maybe it's because he doesn't get the cancellation on them like he does letters.  Or does he?  Anyway I bet he doesn't turn down a six cent stamp.  

Isn't that just like Mary Katherine to worry to death over something like that but I know how the poor girl feels cause I don't particularly like shots either.  I've taken so many since I've been in the Army though that I just take 'em as a matter of fact now.  That's a good thing though.  Hope they make a success of it.  I imagine Alabama is about the first state to make that compulsory isn't it?  Anyway, I hope Mary doesn't die of fright.  Tell her we have to take one about every six months. 

I surely did have Mrs. Browder fooled.  I actually believe she thought English was my favorite subject and I hated it.  "Course don't tell anybody but I used to swap work books with the girls in Physics class.  I'd copy their English and they'd copy my Physics.  

Has Gene decided what branch of the service he is going to enlist in yet?  I think I owe him a letter.  Tell him I'll write him in a few days.  I'm glad James Russell got what he wanted.  Hope he makes good.  Somehow I kind of like him.  I'm sorry that Hugh didn't make it though.  What's Cookie going to do?  I can imagine how Elizabeth will feel but I'd rather not.  And as far Tranny I know she'll be the same way.  I just can't picture Sonny any other way but among a bunch of girls.  Him and the Army just don't seem to go together.  'Course maybe they put him in the W. A. C.  Had any word from Malcolm?  I got a letter from him the first week or two that I was over here and that's the last I've heard from him.  Just wonder if they've sent him overseas yet, and if he got his furlough.  I have never heard from Bobby Farquhor either.  

I always did think they ought to have a juke box at the school building.  Know the kids will enjoy it (and you older kids too.)  I haven't seen the first one over here yet.  One of the fellows saw one someplace.  You put a penny in them over here.   That's about one and two-thirds cents.  Beats a nickel, eh? 

Well I better close now so I can still mail this with one stamp.  Write real soon and often.  

Give every body my love. 

Lots of love, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama. 

Monday night

March 7, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Sure was glad to get your package today.  Thank you all for the socks and handkerchiefs 'cause I sure did need 'em, especially handkerchiefs.  Haven't received the shoes as yet. Maybe they'll come in in a few days.  Hope so. Seems they should have come first but you can never tell going by when they were mailed.  

I had a letter from Percy Nixon a day or so ago.  Judging from where he wants to meet me he mustn't be so far away.  The only hitch is getting a pass the same time he does.  I'm going to try my best to see him though.  Sure would be nice to see somebody I know.  I never have heard from Bobby yet.  Also it's been two months since I've heard from Malcolm, and I got a letter today from Ruth Adams and she says it's been that long since she's heard from him.  Have any word from him?  Just wonder if he's gone across somewhere yet.  

There's a Gene Autry "shootem up" on at our theatre tonight.  Think I'll go up and take it in.  

We've been actually having some pretty weather these past few days.  Just hope it lasts for a while longer.  Tonight is one pretty night.  Big moon and all.  you remember back in January when I wrote how short the days were?  Well they're really getting long now.  They say that up in the summer there practically isn't any night.  Gets dark about eleven and daylight again about two.  Hope they don't put us on farmers' hours.  You know - sun up to sun down.  

Oh let me tell you. We had real eggs for breakfast this morning (egg I mean.) I had just about forgotten how an egg tasted.  Of course even it, being cold storage, was a far cry from a good old fresh one but it was really good after eating powdered ones all this time.  

Daddy, can you still pick up the German propaganda station we used to get such a big kick out of?  I hear it a lot over here and it gets to be more of a joke every day.  Hope you can still get it as it's really good now.  

How's Mr. Johnson now? Sure hope he's better.  By the way what has he ever done with his place?  I still wouldn't mind buying it.  

Guess I better close for tonight.  Write to me real often.  

With lots of love, 

L. Em.

Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday night

March 14, 1944

Dearest Mom, 

I was certainly glad to get yours, Daddy's and Tommy's letters today.  So my Bub is in the Navy is he?  When is Tommy going to join the Marines? Ha!  I'm glad we've got a sailor in the family.  I sometimes wish I had gone on and joined the Navy but after that boat ride across the pond I'm glad I took the Army.  

Gosh, Mama, I didn't know what to think (about the news that she's pregnant . . . at 44).  Boy that was a surprise.  I wonder if the other kids can be any more thrilled than I am.  I can hardly wait.  I kind of hope it's a girl.  Then maybe Sis won't feel so outnumbered. 

Why is Cookie (Ballard) going to enlist in the Canadian Air Force instead of our Air Force, because of his height? I know it will kill Elizabeth but it might be a good thing.  How old is he now anyway.  I see quite a few Canandians over here so this is probably where he'll wind up anyway.  

Sorry to hear about Mr. Johnson's death.  I do wish we could buy his place.  I wish it wasn't in the sixteenth section as it will be as much trouble to get a deed as our place.  

"The Southern Home" has begun to come in pretty regular now.  I sure am glad.  Oh yeah I noticed that I have arrived in England.  Glad to hear it.  

Did I tell you I got a letter from our Congressman the Hon. Pete Jarman.  Suppose he's bucking for a vote.  Maybe I oughta tell him I don't vote yet, huh? 

Oh I must tell you I went to London not so long ago.  I certainly did enjoy it.  I didn't have near enough time to see everything I wanted to but I got around to seeing Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament (and Big Ben), Number Ten Downing and Buckingham Palace.  Those are the main things I wanted to see anyway.  Wouldn't take anything for the opportunity to go there.  

Well guess I better close for now.  Write real often. 

Lots of Love

L. Em.

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Sunday noon

March 19, 1944

Dear Sis, 

I know you think I'm never going to answer your letter or I should say letters for I've gotten two from you since I've written to you last.  

How's everything at home these days?  Sure would love to be there now.  Mama wrote me 'bout Phi and Miriam spending the weekend with you.  Know you all had one heck of a big time.  Did you have a good time at Dorothy Ann's party?  Bet you did.  

By the way.  You asked me to write Miriam a letter sometimes.   Well I wrote her one a pretty long while ago but I never have heard from her.  Just wonder if she ever got it.  Phil seems to like her a lot.  I got a letter from him not so long ago.  

Has Livingston High got a baseball team this year?  Guess if I get to see a baseball game over here, we'll have to play one ourselves.  

I went to an English prize fight here on the base the other night.  It's so much different from ours.   You can't cheer (or boo) while the guys are fighting only between rounds.  You've gotta be able to hear a pin drop during the round.  We Americans got called down a few times for hollering out something to one of the fighters. 

I'm working today but I got off an hour this morning and went to church.  

When's school out?  Will you be glad? 

Well, it's almost time for me to go back and fix a radio or two so so long for now.  Write to me real often 'cause I do love to hear from you. Tell everybody "hey" for me. 

Lots of love - 

L. Em. 

Mr. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday night

March 21, 1944

Dearest Dad, 

I was very glad to get your letter and I'm sorry to have waited this long to answer.  I don't have any too much time to write letters lately.  Guess you've already noticed a pretty big decrease.  I hope you all don't think it's because I'm not thinking of you 'cause that's where my heart is and always will be.  The more I travel around just makes me appreciate more and more the home I have and the one big aim I have is just to get back there.  

You asked me about buying the Johnson place.  Well you already know how much I'd love to have it.  I hope you will be able to get it at a pretty reasonable price only I'm sure it won't be sold for the price he wanted to sell it for.  And as for the cows whatever you think best is alright with me.  Can you sell them for a pretty good profit?  I'd hate to get rid of many of them at a loss or at even money, but I'll leave that to you.  I'm sure the place is a good investment.  The timber for one thing and that's pretty good land in that bottom and where the woods are too for that matter.  The whole place ought to make good pasture.  Oh the bottom mustn't count though as I'd cover that with a lake.  Do what you think best though and by the way if you can get it in payments use the twenty bucks per month. 

Has it stopped raining there yet?  Hope so anyway.  How much of the place are you working this year?  And hows the help this year? Hope you get a better one than last year. Old Buck always seemed to be a pretty good man but I never did know him very well.  Planting any peanuts this year? And are you working any land off the place like you did last year at the Raucher place and at Hugh Lavenders.  What's the price of cotton now?  

Well I better close for tonight.  Give my love to mom and all.  Write again soon. 

Lots of love, 

L. Em. 

To Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Postmarked MAR 25 1944

a small easter card

Remembrance

at 

Eastertide

From

L. Em.

To Greet You 

at Easter

As you can see we've just arrived

And here we are to greet you

To wish you very jolly times,

And lots of Easter eggs too

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

March 27, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad, 

The shoes came last Wednesday and I was certainly glad to see 'em.  Also the stationary and gum.  Thanks a million. 

There isn't much to write about these days.  Things are awfully dull and no mail much has come in in a couple of weeks.  It's just about time I and the rest of us got a big stack of it.  I haven't had a letter in way over a week, and very few of the other fellows are any better off.  

We've had some right pretty days this week and not so cold either.  Makes you want to get out for a little baseball or something. 

Had to work yesterday but got off long enough to go to church services.  We've had a heck of a lot of work lately and believe me we've been pretty busy.  

Norton and I went up to the base theatre tonight to see "This is the Army."  We had seen it in New Orleans but didn't mind seeing it again.  

I'm sorry to make this so short but there's nothing else to say.  Write to me real often.  Goodnight.  

I love you all

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Saturday night

April 8, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Got your letter of the fourteenth (March) and also the twenty-eighth. That one really came over in record time.  I got it the fifth.  Sure was glad to get them as it had been a pretty good while since I had received a one from you.  I got a letter from Joseph Reed today.  It was a nice letter and he said he was going to come to see me soon as he gets another leave.  Being an officer it is much easier for him to get to see me than for me to see him.  Hope he does come around.  He says he's never seen anyone from near home the whole time he's been in the Ary and you know he's been in a pretty good while.  He says England is a paradise in comparison with the places he's been. 

Has Jewell found out yet where Crane is now.  He sure has been in a long time not to have gone overseas.  He shouldn't complain if he goes now.  

Well guess how I'm going to spend Easter tomorrow?  Of all the ways to spend it I'm on K. P. Can you beat that?  I would have liked to gone to church but don't 'spose I can.  But I'll still dress in my new Easter outfit - the usual fatigues! 

Sure wish I could be there to help beat Panola in the baseball games.  These British don't know what a baseball looks like.  

The weather is pretty for a change right now but it may be raining tomorrow.  You never can tell. Things are beginning to get green here now and this is really a pretty country.  Wish you could see it.  I'm really seeing a bit of the world if nothing else.  

It's getting so late now and as I've got to get up early in the morning I better close.  

Oh there's something else.  I wish you would send me a couple of suntan (khaki) shirts (14 1/2) and that O.D. cap I sent home ( that is if Sis doesn't want it.) 

Well, goodnight with - 

All my love, 

L. Em.

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger Alabama

April 25, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, Guess what I'm listening to right now on the radio?  It's a radio broadcast of "Your Hit Parade" - the first time I've heard it since the night before we left the States.  Sure does sound good.  We often wonder what is number-one.  We certainly can't miss the American songs as that is just about all you hear over here, mostly old ones that were popular six months ago back home though.  We have pretty good radio programs.  In all of Britain they have two stations - one for the home and one for the forces.  They have pretty good programs most of the time.  Then the Army has some stations over here called the American Forces Network - (they are popular with the English too) and then of course the German Propaganda Stations blast away twenty four hours a day.  We listen as long as they play music.

Got a letter from you yesterday.  Sure was glad to get it.  Yep - most of your letters have been coming due six cents but I went to pay them and they said that it wasn't charged to them here so as far as I know they just sent them on over and I haven't had to pay anything yet. In fact the letter I got yesterday postmarked the seventh of April had four three cents on it and it was marked due six cents but I had one two days before with two six cent airmail stamps and it was OK.  Sure as sorry Russell wouldn't take the package but if it's a request he wants well here it is.  Please send cookies.  Am also looking forward to getting the gum - And oh yeah I wish you would send me that little picture folder of "Geiger" and if you can find one of those Alabama Highway Dept maps wish you would send it but if you can't then any road map of Alabama will do.  Me and Lee (Buddie from Eufaula) are always reading about fellows over here from Ala. and half the time neither of us have heard of the town they mention.

Oh yeah you asked about the boys - Well I still go around with Lee, Norton, McGowan, and Pud and Hutchins (from Atlanta)  The six of us are commonly known as the "Rebels."  When we go out we go in pairs (it's compulsory).  I go with McGowan as we get on pass on the same day- But on six hour passes Norton and I go together.  This week none of us are going out as we were bad bad boys  Sunday morning - we came to work four minutes late - A whole four minutes so we got restricted for a whole week.- Odds aren't so even there are they?  But I'm not one to argue with a silver bar so . . . I stay in - but I wasn't planning on going out much anyway - (yeah sour grapes.)

That high water sounds like that back in forty doesn't it?  Howell showed me a picture his wife sent him of the Tombigbeeat Columbus.  Probably it's worse as I don't remember it stopping the trains that year.

Daddy, I'm sure glad you could rent the Johnson place this year and that will give you enough pasture to keep the cows - certainly hope they decide to sell it so we can buy it.

Seems like you were kind of concerned about the bombings London has been getting, well for goodness sake don't be worried about them as far as I'm concerned as there is no telling when I'll go back there again and anyway if you could see those subways there - those things are so deep that they have elevators to bring you up on the street.  Not like Philly where you walk down a little flight of stairs - We get an alertaround here once in a while but that's all it ever amounts to, just an alert.  I was in a town once when some enemy planes (stray ones I think) came over and I watched the anti-aircraft - They got 'em too.  Anyway the people don't seem to worry about the bombs now.

Well, it's getting kind of late now and I don't want to be late in the morning I better catch a little sleep - Oh yeah I didn't forget your anniversary other day - I thought about you.  Goodbye now - Write to me often-

With Love-

Your Son-

L.Em.

P. S. Good luck next month, Mom

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama 

Saturday evening

July 8, 1944

Dear Mom, Pop, and All, 

Sure am glad you have finally received a letter from me and I am also happy to be getting mail from you more regular now, only it still isn't coming in any too good. 

How is everybody these days?  How is Martha Ann?  Gee I wish I could see her - bet she's cute.  And how is Gene liking the Navy?  So he's been on K.P. has he? That's enough to turn him against everything.  I was on K. P. a few days ago and i'll probably be getting it again about next Wednesday.  That's the day I usually get it on and it's time again for it.  

I had a letter from Aunt Martha today.  She's sending Malcolm, Gene, and me some cookies. she said.  Guess Malcolm and I seeing Nick is just about out of the question for a while.  He's in Normandy now and it's been a pretty good while since I have heard from him.  Malcolm and I are still the same distance apart and right now there's practically no hope of us seeing each other either. Maybe we will have better luck later on after things kind of get back to normal again, but still on the other hand you can never tell about these things.  It may be worse than it is now.  

Sorry you're having trouble with the radio.  I'd like to give the thing an overhauling.  But hope you have gotten it fixed by now.  Speaking of the radio, do you still listen to Lord Haw Haw, Pop? Boy they go at it night and day now.  I get a big kick out of listening to them.  

PARAGRAPH REMOVED BY INSPECTORS 

Today has been a beautiful day and I was on pass.  I went into town this morning on a bus.  Spent the morning window shopping and just more less killing time.  And by the way Saturday here is no different from home.  That's the day the crowds gather.  I had a pretty good dinner and afterwards I went to a show.   It was pretty good - "The Desert Song." I sat in the shilling-ninepence seats, (the cheap ones) and over here that's downstairs.  The balcony is the high priced ones.  I tell you everything is backwards.  Anyway I sat down side of a little English boy about eleven or twelve.  He punches me and asks me to have a piece of taffy or as he says "tawfy" so I swapped him a piece of chewing gum for it.  That's something the English kids never get unless we happen to give them a piece.  They run up to you and the usual question is "any gum chum?" Anyway the show was starting and they had a short on the U.S. Marine Band.  They played "The Washington Post March" and he ups and names it and asked me if it wasn't one of Sousa's.  I had to think and think hard and finally said I thought it was, but I'm still not too sure.  He said, "Yes, I think 'tis and I like "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Under the Double Eagle" too, don't you?"  You just don't fool these kids over here. The most of them get out of school at about fourteen and go to work.  All in all I had a pretty enjoyable day and to top it off came in on a jeep.  The boys have the tops off them now and it was pretty "breezy." 

Guess that about winds up this for now.  I'll write again real soon.  Hope to hear from you real often too. 

My love to all, 

L. Em.

Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

May 8, 1944

Dearest Mom, 

Being Mother's Day is rapidly approaching I better make this one special. First though I think I better offer a few apologies for not writing in such a long time.  I started to write a V-Mail last night but I hate those things (don't tell Top.) Anyway, I got just about half way through and  hadn't said a thing so I gave up in disgust.  There is really not enough to write about to fill up one of those sheets but when you start to write one it's different.  And please pardon the pencil - I loaned my pen to one of the boys here in the barracks (he dropped his in the stove) and tonight he went off on pass and my pen with him.  

Mama I'm just wondering where you'll be when this letter reaches you. You know I'm more excited about this than I've ever been about anything before.  I'm so anxious to know so please let me hear - soon as you can.  

Oh I gtta tell you. I got to see one of these Greyhound dog races Saturday.  It was the first one I'd ever seen.  It wasn't much to it as they just run 'em around a little track a couple of times and it's all over, but collecting the bets.  I didn't bet on them of course.  First place all of those dogs looked just alike to me.  I had more fun watching the crowd than I did the dogs.  

Got a letter from Malcolm the other day.  He's getting out of the Rainbow Division.  He says he's glad.  

So Nell wrote you did she?  I'm expecting a letter from her bawling me out any day now.  She isn't one of those I was figuring on marking off my list but darn if I haven't just about stopped writing to everybody.  Seems like we don't have time for anything anymore.  It doesn't get dark now until about eleven o'clock and somehow it's hard to come in and write in the daytime when there's always a horseshoe game or soft ball game going on on the outside.  Some of us have even been talking about buying some marbles.  Still kids you know.

We've had some pretty cold days this past week.  I didn't wear my overcoat though.  I'll just be "dad-blamed" if I'll wear an overcoat in May.  Why it's time to start complaining about the heat.  

Has it stopped raining there yet?  Certainly hope so.  We're having a drought here.  Or so they say.  Seems like it rains enough to me though.  

The boys are awake with the lights so I better sign off tonight.  I'm thinking of you always and don't think any fellow could have as sweet a Mom as me.  Don't suppose I'll have a red rose to wear next Sunday but I'll be at church just the same. 

Goodnight my favorite sweetheart - 

With love and a kiss, 

L. Em.

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Monday morning 

May 15, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Since today is my day off I'll take out a few minutes to write to you.  I haven't written nearly as often as I would have liked to these past few weeks but I think you understand how things are with me.  You know that even though I don't write I'm thinking about you but my thoughts can't tell you I'm O.K. though can they?  So I'm gonna do my darndest to write more often from now on.  Ordinarily I was (REDACTED BY INSPECTOR) but I really don't mind so much this time as there is a lot of things I've gotta do.  Wash a big bunch of clothes.  Tell "Brass" I wish I had her for a while today.  By the way how is she.  You haven't mentioned her in quite a while.  'Spose the ole girl is getting pertty feeble now (I think this is Nebraska Smith, a lady who worked for my grandparents).  I've also gotta catch up on a bit of correspondence.  Think i owe everybody who writes to me a letter. Have you heard from Uncle Harry lately?  I had a couple of letters from him back in February and March.  I wrote him a pretty good while ago but haven't heard since.  Tell Gene and Tommy I'll answer their letters soon too and ask Sis if she's too busy to write these days.  Bet she was cute when she went to that recital.  now she'll be grown when I ever do slam that front door of ours again (and track in mud, too.)  How's she coming along with her music?  Tell her I'll send her some sheet music whenever she's ready for it.  you can buy nearly all the popular songs over here for a couple of shillings. 

I went to a dance at the Red Cross last night.  Bad boy - dancing on Sunday.  I went to church yesterday.  The chaplain gave us a V-Mail letter to send our Mom's.  Mailed yours this morning.  Mama, hope you get it. 

How'd the election come out.  Suppose I'll see in the Southern Home but it doesn't come very regular.  Usually comes 3 or 4 copies at a time.  But I wouldn't take anything for. it.  And what do you think I saw in the last copy?   John Turner's marriage - Oh my.  

Sure would like to see the baby ducks.  They are just about the cutest things.  What does honey think of them?  I'm glad you have a dog again.  I can't imagine our place without a dog and a dozen cats around.  

Wish you could end some of the rain over there over here.  I've talked to some of the English farmers and they say they need rain very bad.  Say this is the driest year in about twenty five.  

Be glad when I get the box.  I don't think the old number will make any difference.  It never has far as letters and newspapers were concerned.   

Well it's about time for chow and I've 'bout said all I can for a while so I'll sign off for now.  Don't forget to send me an announcement first thing - and Pop you can just save the cigar for me.  

Lots of love to all, 

L. Em. 

"During World War II, under the leadership of such generals as Ira Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, the VIII BC (then Eighth Air Force) formed the greatest air armada in history. By mid-1944, the unit had a total strength of more than 200,000 people, and it could send more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission against enemy targets in Europe. For this reason, Eighth Air Force is commonly known as the "Mighty Eighth." ~  Eighth Air Force History

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night

June 1, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Gosh but I was glad to get back and find your letters waiting for me and also the box of chewing gum.  Thanks a million but the thing that was best of all was Tommie's letters telling me of my new sister.  Somehow or other I had hoped it would be a girl.  Couldn't think what you might name her either.  Hope mother and baby are doing fine.  Only wish I could be home right now.  I don't wonder that you aren't taking steps to collect my insurance since it's been so long since you're had a letter from me.  I can't explain it right now but I didn't have any mail service for two weeks.  Other than that I had a swell time.  Had a letter from Nick Clark yesterday also and one from Malcolm.  He's someplace in the New England States.  Wouldn't surprise me if I wouldn't be trying a few Red Cross Clubs trying to locate him. pretty soon. Hope so.  

How's the crops, Pop?  Gonna have a watermelon ripe by the fourth of July? Oh my what I wouldn't give for a big one now.  You know, too, as much tea as these British drink none of them have even so much as heard of iced tea.  you mention it to them and they say it's crazy.  The very idea! Drinking cold tea.  How can you stand it old fellow?  Just the same, I'd love to have about a half dozen glasses.  

Anything new around the city?  What's the latest gossip?  You know me - just love to hear bad tales on people.  

How's Gene's finger?  Certainly hope it will be O.K. soon. When does he think the Navy will call him?  Or does he know.  Tell him I haven't forgotten I owe him a letter and "honest to goodness" I'm really going to answer.  Tom and Sis too.  And by the way tell MarthaAnne I haven't had a letter from her yet.  Are you going to call her by the full name or just one of them (They would end up calling her by both, "Martha Ann)?  

Well I must close now.  I want to write Nick as it may be so we can get to see each other pretty soon.  Certainly hope so.  Are you going to have a family reunion this year?  Will surely miss it.  Maybe Nick, myself and probably Malcolm can have one of our own over here.  Who knows.  

Well goodnight now.  Write real soon and often. 

Love to all, 

L. Em.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

June 28, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Well today I was a K.P. kid and believe me I  "am wore to a frazel."  I guess the Army would be bearable if it just wasn't for K. P. And dern it, it comes around about every two weeks now.  

Hope everything is fine at home, including the little sis.  Gosh I wish I could see her.  I still can't picture us with a baby in the family.  Oh I bet that will be one spoilt youngun.  So Gene is in Williamsburg is he?  Send me his address so I can write to him.  I can imagine how he felt when he saw Bill Dial.  The closest person to home I've run across is a guy from Meridian. He's a cook or something over at the mess hall.  Where is Crane now?  Is he still in the states? He certainly has fought the battle of the U.S. How a guy can stay in the navy three years without seeing water is beyond me.   

It's pretty nice hearing from Malcolm regular again.  Takes our letters about three or four days to get to each other.  We are about a hundred miles apart, he thinks.  He knows where I am but I don't know where he is.  I've a pretty good idea but not definite.  A hundred miles doesn't sound far but here in England it's half way across the country and seems like a pretty long trip.  The main thing though is that we can't go farther than (REDACTED BY INSPECTOR) from our camp so that kind of puts the skids under us.  I haven't heard from Nick Clark since I wrote him.  

I certainly hope the mail mail situation back there is better than it is here.  It comes in in little dribbles.  LIke today I think there were only about a dozen letters for the whole company.  Lets see I believe last Sunday was the last time I've had a letter from y'all.  It was written the fourteenth.  Not too bad (the time to come over I mean.) 

Daddy I didn't forget about last Sunday being Father's Day and I thought about you, which is just about all I can do for you right now.  But anyway you're one swell Pop and I mean it.  

Surely would like to be in on those baseball games.  But letting Epes beat you. The very idea. Epes!  Now I know you need me in right field. 

Oh yeah I'm also glad to know that Roy Norwoood has the Gulf Tavern.  Only now there just about aren't any boys left around there, is there? How about James Russell Lee (my mother's brother)?  Has he gone to the Air Corps yet (James joined and would be a career enlisted airman)?  And Hugh and Cookie?  How 'bout them?  You know I never did hear from Bobby Farquhar, but I suppose he felt the same as I did about Percy Nixon.  I got a letter from Percy and he wanted me to meet him someplace that I couldn't get to at the time and I kept waiting until I could go there before I wrote - well I never got a chance to go so as yet I still haven't written him.  

Mama did you answer Helen's letter?  I haven't written her in months.  She's a nice girl and all that but I don't ever figure on going back that way.  (Yankee territory.)  I write to Margie pretty often but she is about the only girl I do write to anywhere near regular.  Ruby Grace and Nell write but about every letter is a bawling out about not writing more often, but I can't help it.  I get tired of writing:  "It's cold tonight, the spam for supper was delicious."  And by gosh that's just about what you write about over here.  

I better close for tonight.  Getting kind of late and K.P. today doesn't by any means excuse me from working tomorrow.  Give everybody my love - 

L. Em. 

P.S. Malcolm says "hello." 

To: Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

July 26, 1944

Dearest Mom, Pop, and All, 

Got a letter from you today Mama, but I had a pretty hard time trying to read it.  It was one you wrote back the ninth of May and it must have been damaged by fire somewhere. It was about half burned up.  But I was glad to get it all the same as it's been well over a week now since I've heard from you.  Seems the mail just doesn't come in anymore.  Looks like all of us are in the same boat. Everywhere you go it's the same gripe - "no mail." Had a letter from Joe Reed day before yesterday and he hadn't heard from home in a long time, when he wrote. He's also in France.  I haven't had but one letter from Nick since he left England.  Had a note from Malcolm same day I heard from Joseph. He sent me a picture he had made since he's been over here. I thought it was real good of him.  I think he is much more satisfied now than he was back in Oklahoma. 

Will certainly be glad when we can all get back home once more.  How's Gene these days?  Haven't heard again from him since I answered his letter. 

You were wondering what I wanted for my birthday. Gosh that is really the Sixty Buck question.  I don't really need a thing.  I can't even think of anything to ask you for. If you think you just gotta send something you know that whatever you send I'll appreciate.  Guess you better go down to Livingston and register for me or whatever tis you have to do.  Far as voting is concerned I don't care cause I figure Ala. will go Democratic without my vote, so what's the use, and that's all that matters. I'm gonna miss the twenty-one licks spank - oh goody! What am I saying.  Gosh I'd take it with a two by four if I could only get back there.  By the way, I hate like everything to ask you but if you could spare me about ten bucks I'd sure appreciate it.  You can make that the present if you want to.  

It has been raining pretty often these past few days, or weeks I should say but today was a real summer day.  The days too by the way are getting a little shorter again;  starts getting dark now a little after ten.  

Well there's no more news for now.  Hope to hear from you all very often.  And better still hope to see you soon - 

Lots of love, 

L Em 

V-Mail

Mr. Emmette C. Neel 

GEIGER, ALABAMA

July 26, 1944

Preprinted Birthday Greetings 

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Dad!

WE USED TO WATCH THE BIG PARADES, AND WASN'T IT A THRILL!

AND NOW I'M IN THE BIGGEST ONE YOU'RE RIGHT BESIDE ME STILL. 

IT KEEPS ME GLAD REMEMBERING THOSE GRAND OLD TIMES WE HAD -

HERE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO LOTS MORE, 

AND BIRTHDAY GREETINGS, 

Dad!

Lots of love, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama 

Thursday night

August 10, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Golly was I surprised today to get a letter from you after getting such a nice long one yesterday.  But there's one thing for sure, I can never have too many.  Also had an air mail from Gene day before yesterday and another from him today that he mailed "free."  Suppose the lucky fellow will be home when this gets there.  Hope he enjoys his furlough as much as I enjoyed mine.  If he does he'll never forget it.  I only wish I could be there at the same time he is.  What a time we could have.  I wrote him night before last in hopes he'd get the letter before he pulled out for Geiger.  Tell the old boy hello for me and as the British say "all the best." 

Didn't know Mary Katheryn was a working goil these days.  Personally I can't imagine it.  Hope she likes it.  What is Justyn doing now?  I owe her and Ruth Adams both a letter.  Heaven only knows when I'll find time to write them. Had a letter from Ruby Grace yesterday the first in a long time.  She's been operated on for appendicitis.  

Got a box of cookies from Aunt Martha Tuesday - boy, were they good.  The occupants of "Ye Yank Manor" really downed 'em in a hurry - that by the way is the name of our barracks - Norton, Mac, Hutchins, and the other rebels who are scattered around in the other barracks have threatened to disown me for living in a barracks named that.  Nothing I can do though as the Yanks have me and a guy from Memphis kind of outnumbered.  Our barracks aren't too bad either - I really think we have it better than anywhere since I've been in the Army - I'm pretty well satisfied. I just hate like the mischief to be this far from home. I'm really ready to go back too but somehow I wouldn't want to until this is all over.  We have plenty of work to keep us busy too, which makes us realize we're doing a little bit to help.  Even if it's not with a gun on the front lines.  Now that most of the fellows have gone over to France we don't feel quite so far from home as we did and kind of feel like we're fighting the battle of the 'home front." 

Heard from Malcolm yesterday.  He's still where he was and it may be that we can see each other some time soon now.  Just hope so.  

Well it's 'bout time I was "crawling in my sack" - or in other words "hit the hay."  Write real soon and give my love to all.  

Lots of love 

L. Em.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

August 23, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

How's the folds tonight?  The news is certainly good now.  Heard of the fall of Paris this morning.  suppose you've heard it too. There's not too many more to go now is there.  Just hope the end will be soon and we'll all be together again.  Had a letter from Nick the other day.  He was in on the Cherbourg deal.  Said it was really tough getting there but pretty nice after it was taken.  I haven't heard from Malcolm now in three weeks and that's unusual too. 'cause he wrote nearly twice a week.  I'm wondering if he might be over in France now.  I had a letter from Joseph Reid about two or three weeks ago.  I answered it but haven't heard from him again.  Those boys are really getting it rough.  

We've had some awfully pretty weather here for nearly a month now, with the exception of yesterday and Monday.  It was cold enough for a jacket Monday but is plenty hot today.  Hope it doesn't start getting cold so soon as the summer has seemed awfully short.  

Went up to the show tonight with the boys.  Was pretty good.  Errol Flynn in "Uncertain Glory." 

How's Gene enjoying the furlough, as if I need to ask.  Does he know yet where he'll be sent when he goes back.  Maybe they'll assign him to the Atlantic Fleet and he'll be coming over this way.  

Know you enjoyed having Uncle Mal and the crew of them back again.  I can imagine how quiet things were without Gene, Mal Jr, and me there, though. 

How are the barbecues this year?  It's been so long since I've been to one.  I think the last one I went to was with John Turner, Lois Battle, and Camille - remember?  By the way is Camille in Louisville yet?  I don't hear from her anymore;  never did write to her regular though.  

Mama, I surely did enjoy the nice long letter you wrote on the eighth. 

"THERE MAY BE A PAGE MISSING FROM THIS ONE - IT JUST UNEXPECTEDLY ENDS WITH NO SIGN-OFF."  ~ Kady

V-Mail

30 Aug 1944 

To: Mr. and Mrs. EC Neel Geiger Alabama

Dear Folks,

Sorry this is just a V-Mail tonight I am completely out of envelopes.  I thought I had some but I didn't and the PX had already closed.  Hope you don't mind this time but I don't really have much to write about.  Had a long letter from you today, Mon.  Was certainly glad to get it as it had been a week or more since I have heard from you.  It was the one you wrote while Uncle Mal and Aunt Marth were home.  Know you really had a time.  Wish I could have been in on it all.  'Spose ole Gene is having the time of his life now (by now, Harry Eugene Neel is in the Navy).  I haven't heard from Malcolm now in quite a while (Operation Market Garden begins in 17 days).  Had a letter from Nick C. (Ollie Nick Clark) yesterday.  Says he's OK but that it's really been tough.

We get every other Sunday off now.  Today was mine off.  We still have our regular pass day, mine's Saturday.  They're showing Gone With The Wind here this week.  Think I'll try to see it again.  Well this is the end of this paper so I'll say nite now.  Write again real soon and often.

All my Love

L.Em

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night

August 31, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Not much news tonight but as I haven't written this week think I better fill up a page or two with something. To start with, it's turned cold again, they said fall came in September but this year looks like it couldn't wait - not even one more day.  I have enjoyed the summer though and certainly hate to see it get cold again.  They'll be running the clocks back the seventeenth of next month, then they'll only be one hour ahead of the regular time, Greenwich Mean.  

Glad you got the birthday greeting, Daddy, and also glad Sis got the music.  

I'm certainly going to be looking forward to those two birthday cakes next year too, Mom. 

We are being honored with the presence of Bing Crosby Saturday evening.  I'm going to be out on my weekly pass but I'm thinking seriously of coming back in to see him.  Fred Astaire is over here now too and we're hoping he'll show up with Bing.  Too bad Bob Hope isn't here too. 

I went out Tuesday night on a six hour pass.  Last night Huchins and I went to a show on the base.  It was real good the "Song of Bernadette."  I saw "Gone With the Wind" again last Saturday.  Tonight Norton and I are going up to the Red Cross.  

They have started giving furloughs again now.  "Course the ones who didn't get one in November will get one first so will be several months before I get one.  If I'm still here I hope I can spend mine in Scotland.  I haven't been there yet.  The people tell me that Wales is also a pretty country.  Wish I could be spending it in Alabama - that's the prettiest country I know.  

Suppose Sook and Tom will be starting back to school in a week or so.  Know Tommy will be glad - what's wrong with he and Sis anyway - haven't had many letters lately! 

Well here's Norton - so I'll say 'nite now.  Write real often - 

I love you all, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

September 6, 1944

Wednesday night 

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Was certainly glad to get two letters from you today.  The first time I had had a letter from in over a week.  Glad Gene had such a nice time when he was home. Know he hated to go back.  Haven't heard from him now in a pretty good while.  Maybe he'll write now that he is back.  Wonder if he got my last letter before he got away. Did he say? 

Well, looks like winter is back to pay Jolly Old England nother visit.  Have been wearing a field jacket now for a week.  And it felt pretty good too.  Getting awfully hard to get up on these cold mornings too.  Have my doubts of making breakfast every morning now.  

Wish I could have been in on all those dances, etc.  they gave Gene, Monroe and Rogers.  Surely do miss all that.  Have a pretty good time over here but it's nothing like home.  No place is for that matter though.  

How'd the crops turn out Pop?  Glad you didn't plant any peanuts this year 'cause you might not thrash 'em before I got back. Ha. I'm just joking - I'd rather enjoy it I think if I could get back there. Looks like it will still be a pretty good while before I get to come home too, considering this point system and all they have to muster us out. 

Yep, I do nearly all my washing.  Takes laundry so long to get back.  Now that it's cold again though I think I'll start sending it there (the laundry) instead.  

Are Granny, and Sis still in Pickensville?  Where is Eva now?  Last time I heard of her she was in Illinois some place while her husband was taking some sort of Naval training.  

Haven't heard from Malcolm now in about two weeks,  but it's been that long since I've written to him so I can't say anything.  Haven't heard any more from Nick or from Joseph Reid either.  Guess those two boys are just too busy to do anything. And Malcolm may be too now for all I know.  You never know what's next in this man's army.  We may be right here for the duration but one can never tell.  I wouldn't bet on it, like a lot of fellows are doing.  And rumors - boy are they good these days.  

Guess it won't be long now before they will put a stop to the buzz bombs.  We had a few over not long ago but none landed close enough to cause us much concern.  As long as they are still running (or buzzing) when they come overheard you know you're safe;  it's when they cut off just before they get to you that gives you that "uncertain" feeling. 

The news is good today - Just heard the latest over the B. B. C. 

Bing Crosby was out here last Saturday but I was out on pass and it poured rain the live long day so I didn't come back in.  Hated to miss seeing him but maybe I'll have another chance.  

Must close now.  Hope to hear from you again real soon.  And often.

My love to all 

L. Em.

Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night

September 21, 1944

Dearest Sis, 

Was certainly glad to get your letter last Friday.  Had been an awfully long time since I had had a letter from you but I know how hard it is to find time to write back there during the summer.  I can remember way back when I could spend my summers there.  Hope I can spend my next one there.  I have enjoyed this summer here in England.  It is a very pretty country around here.  The summer is over now though.  We have a fire nearly every night in the barracks and a jacket on during the day doesn't feel so bad.  Know you enjoyed your various visits around.  To Miriam's, Aunt Ruby's, etc.  You didn't mention going to Pickensville,  Have a good time there?  

I've had one letter from old Gene since he's been home.  He told me not to write him again until he wrote me again as he didn't expect to be where he was very long.  I wrote him just the same but I haven't heard from him yet.  Yep, from the way he writes I think he likes Kate a lot.  

I can imagine how everybody looked at that backwards party but I'd rather not.  I'd have liked to be on hand though just the same.  

So Daddy and Buck have been to the gin huh?  How many bales did they make?  

Suppose by now you have already started to school and are studying hard.  I'm glad you're going by way of the highway this year.  Who's driving the bus?  

There's really nothing new happening here.  About the same old thing every day.  We get a pass every week and once a month a two day one.  My last one I went to London.  Had a real good time.  Know a cute little girl down there.  See? 

Well, Sis, I gotta sign off for tonight.  Give everybody my love.  Write soon and often.  

Your bro. 

With love, 

Bub

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Sunday night

September 24th, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

I had a letter from Malcolm today and he sent me some pictures that Aunt Martha had sent him.  There was one of you two and the baby, one of Gene, one of Tom, and one of Sis.  Gosh but that was a pleasant surprise.  You don't know how glad I was to get them.  I've been wanting pictures of you for a long time.  Had written Gene to tell you but he said he didn't get the letter until he was back in camp. Gosh but the little gal is cute.  Tell Tommy I'd give a pound for a slice of that watermelon.  These English never so much as heard of one.  Did I tell you that peaches were about "six bits" a piece over here. Naturally I haven't eaten one.  By the way, I notice the pomegranate bush looked pretty good as the background for Gene's picture.  Looks like a real sailor. My big sis doesn't look so bad herself. I'll be so glad when I can come back but looks like it will be quite a while considering the new demobilization plans.  They listed radio repairmen  as being as essential as pilots.  As some guy put it: "looks like it's the Golden Gate in Forty-Eight for us boys."  Darn it all if it ain't funny though.  

It has rained this live long day.  I mean poured.  And the wind has blown too.  And awfully cold. I believe winter is back to stay. The clock has been turned back an hour now and it gets dark pretty early.  It will soon be like it was last January when it was nearly always dark.  This summer it was all daylight.  Used to go to bed before sun down. Can you imagine that?  But it was late just the same. 

Have just come back from the Red Cross with Norton.  We also went to a show, "The Mask of Dimitrios."  It was pretty good. 

I better close for tonight.  It's getting late and I'm sleepy, as usual.  Write real often.  And remember I love you all.  

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

September 27th, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Was certainly glad to get your letter today.  Tomorrow it would have been two weeks since I had had a letter from you.  The mail situation is pretty poor these days.  Seems nobody gets very much anymore.  

Sure am happy to know the club is going to rebuild the dance hall.  Seemed an awful shame to let a building like that ruin.  Hope we don't get another storm now.  By the way did you feel the effects of the eastern hurricane?  I know we usually do.  

Glad the baby is doing so nicely.  And also that the burn wasn't serious. 

Wish I could hear from Gene.  He wrote me not long ago and told me not to answer his letter until he wrote to me again.  Wonder if he is on sea duty.  If he ever lands in an English port tell him to beat it to the nearest Red Cross and try to find out where I am.  I've wondered too if Malcolm was in on these Airborne operations in Holland (Mal rode a glider into Holland).  I know Tommy and Sis are having a time at school this year.  Is Sis still going to keep up her music?  Glad you liked the songs.  I liked 'em too.  Speaking of that one "Lily Marlene" well I saw that picture "The True Story of Lily Marlene."  Told how it came to be written and how the British captured it on a record down in Africa.  I thought it was pretty good. 

I was out on a six hour pass last night. Had tea with a family I know out in town.  They are very nice people and darn if they aren't about to adopt me.  

Monday night we (the whole base) were granted a trophy by the commanding general, Gen. Goodrich.  It is the third time we've won it - for exceptional work or something like that - and now we keep it.  Anyway it called for a celebration.  There were three Generals here, Gen. Eisenhower's eighty piece military band.  A show (British stage stars). Then a dance.  The Red Cross  dished out doughnuts, the mess hall furnished hamburgers and the Germans sent a buzz bomb over.  A good time was had by all. 

And now I 'spose I've said enough for tonight.  Reason: K. P. tomorrow so gotta see how much shut eye I can catch between now and four a.m. Goodnight now - 

All my love, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Monday Evening 

October 9, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Sure was glad to get a letter from you today.  The mail seems to be coming in some better now than it has been.  This one was mailed on the twenty-seventh of September.  Not bad considering the time it takes some of them.  you can never tell though some of them come in a week.  

Had a letter from Malcolm last week. Wonder if you've heard but I know you're anxious to hear from him.  He is in Holland when he wrote and said he was O.K. That he liked Holland and the people there, but reading between the lines it was obvious that the whole business was no picnic.  I have never heard from Nick or Joe Ried since I wrote last.  

I'm writing this tonight early --- REST OF PARAGRAPH REDACTED BY INSPECTOR. 

Got this stationary from Uncle Harry yesterday.  He had me write a request for it some time ago.  Was sure glad to get it too. 

Is pretty darn cold here these days and foggy too but the English say it isn't fog it's "just misty." Wel whatever they call it, it's fog to me, but maybe they're right as it's so heavy that if you stay out in it you get as wet as if you stayed out in a downpour.  The days are getting so short now that you can almost tell the difference from day to day.

Will soon have been over here a year now. Seems like an awfully long time and I'm plenty ready to return to Alabama.  

Had a nice long letter from Gene a couple of days  ago.  Haven't had the chance to answer though. 

Well I must close now.  Here's Norton crying for me to go to the show with him. So see you soon I hope.  And write often.  

Lots of Love

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

October 16, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Not much to write about tonight.  As one fellow put it today "if the weather doesn't change soon I won't be able to write a single letter." And that's just about it too, even the weather is the same.  Right now it's rain and more rain.  It's more like I had always heard England was.  The fogs too are awful. 

Didn't get out on my regular pass this week as I took a two day on the last time and I'm required to stay in the following weeks.  Get a two day pass once a month but it's optional as to whether or not you take it.  I usually go to London on mine.  I wish I could tell you where I am and all but the nearest I can say now is that I'm in Eastern England.  Maybe pretty soon I can say more.  They do seem to be easing up a bit on the censorship regulations.  We can send picture postcards now so long as they are from places more than twenty-five miles away.  I'll try to send some as soon as I go out to buy some.  Have seen some pretty nice ones around but never bought any. 

Went up to the Red Cross and the show tonight with Norton and Hutchins.  Also the show, we didn't stay there long, as it was "kinda corny." 

Haven't heard from Malcolm but once since he's been in HOlland.  I'm awfully anxious to hear from him again now.  I'd also like to hear from JOe Ried and Nick but no word in a long time now.  

I must close for tonight.  I hate to make this so short but a thing of interest to write about is a scarce article these days.  I'll try to write a longer letter in a couple of nights.  Write to me often and remember I love you all.  

Always, 

L. Em. 

To: Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

October 18, 1944

Dearest Sis, 

Certainly enjoyed your letter I received today.  Wish I had a whole lot to write you about but I never have anything much to write about anymore.  Also got a letter from Mama. 

So old Gene is in Florida now is he?  Well I can't say as I'd mind being there instead of here.  It's winter practically now.  And rain, boy I never saw it rain so much.  I don't know what keeps this country from staying under water.  If it rained this much back home Bodka (Bodka Creek) would be up every day in the year.  

I'll see what I can do about having you a picture made.  The pictures over here aren't too good.  I didn't know you had already made a claim to that extra one I sent last Dec. or I'd have never told Justyn she could have it.  

Know you enjoyed the barbecue - as if anybody could go to one and not enjoy it.  Take it you and Miriam are still big buddies. And how 'bout Juanita Lee.  How's she? Tell 'em both "hey" for me will you? 

What kind of party is in store for Halloween?  Remember those we used to pull.  Boy I wish I could be on hand to roll bales of cotton in the post -office lobby, etc.  Just don't let the spirit down - you know sis just how much you can change the looks of Geiger.  

Just came back from the show and the Red Cross. Saw "Sweet and Low Down."  Wasn't a bad show.  Benny Goodman and Linda Darnell. 

Must close for this time as it's getting late now and I might not make breakfast in the morning if I don't go to sleep.  "Goodnight." 

Lots of Love

Your bro. 

Buda

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

October 30, 1944 

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Have certainly enjoyed the letters I've received in the past few days. Two from you Mom and one from Tommy.  I'm glad to know you heard from Mrs. Smith.  I went around there last Friday night for a little while.  The weather is kinda bad now and I don't see them very often.  They are nice people and I enjoy going out there. They seem to enjoy having me too.  They have a nephew who is in Canada.  I'm afraid you've got it a little bit wrong though.  The daughter isn't the feature attraction. I've gotta 'fess up though. I did meet her first.  She and her mother were at a dance and I happened to dance with Muriel (that's the daughter). But you see she's got an officer in the Royal Air Force for a husband.  I've met the "chap" and he's a pretty nice fellow.  See now? 

Saturday night I went to a halloween party given by the British Welcome Club in town. I had a very nice time.  Seems the day (or night) isn't celebrated much over here except in Scotland.  So it was gotten up mostly by the Scotch and Americans I think.  Anyway it was lots of fun but I'll take the ones we used to have back in the school building myself.  Hope the kids don't leave the town in the same shape this year we used to leave it in.  

Haven't heard from Malcolm or Nick either in a couple of weeks but I wrote them both one day last week. I haven't heard from Gene since he's been in Fla.  but if he wrote you he mailed me a letter.  I should be getting it any day now.  The mail doesn't come in very regular anymore.  They keep after us to write more V mail and less air-mail but I'd rather have a three- center four weeks old than one of those dinky little postcard V-mails. 

By the way I am having some pictures made over here.  They (the proofs) weren't any too good but maybe the pictures themselves will be better. This one will be for "Sis."  She acted kinda mad cause I gave that other picture to Justyn.  I didn't know she wanted it or I wouldn't have.  But I didn't think you cared for two just alike and Justyn had been asking me a long time for a picture. 

Norton, Hutchins and I have been up to the pictures tonight.  Was a pretty good show.  We were going by the Red Cross but they are having a dance or something there tonight.  We hardly ever go to anything like that when it's on the base "cause it's always so darn crowded.  

Well I will sign off for tonight.  Hope to hear from you real soon. 

My Love to All, 

L. Em 

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Monday Night

November 6, 1944

Dearest Mom and Pop, and all: 

'Spose by this stationary you can see I have received the Christmas package.  Boy was I glad to get it.  Thanks a million.  That pineapple really looks good but I'm gonna try to save it until Christmas. The other one - you know with the watch band, hasn't come yet. 

Today has been one bad day.  The wind has been blowing like nobody's business and now it's a downpour outside.  Cold as everything too. Some of us looked like stuffed ducks today going to work. 

Well, we're all anxious to hear how the election comes out tomorrow.  Don't suppose we will know until Wednesday though.  'Course as always there's no doubt how Alabama will go. By the way does Riley still cast his one little measly Republican vote there or has he made it "solid" too? 

There's not much news to write about.  Haven't done much lately.  The weather is the kind that  makes you appreciate a nice warm fire.  

I had a short letter from Malcolm the other day.  He seems to be having it a little bit easier now, but it still sounds pretty rough to me. 

By the way Mom, I got your letter Friday.  They seem to be coming pretty regularly now. Also had a letter from Tommie the same day.  Guess the old boy thinks I'm never going to write to him.  Tell him to hold on - it's coming very soon.  

Still haven't gotten Gene's letter.  Don't know why - seems to me it's had plenty of time.  I'm going to write to him anyway though now that I have his address. 

Did I tell you I saw the picture "The Story of Dr. Wassel?" It was a real good picture.  The shows you see over there are nearly all from Hollywood, and they really have some nice theatres.  Even the smaller towns. They call 'em Picture Houses or Cinemas.  A theatre over here is strictly for stage shows. 

Well I must close now as the lights are about to go out.  Write often. 

My love to all, 

L. Em. 

To: Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Monday night

November 13, 1944

Dearest Mom, Dad, and All, 

Surely did enjoy your letter which came in today.  It was the first in nearly a week.  I am sorry you aren't hearing from me very regular.  I know I should write more often but I always write at least once a week and I can't understand why it's sometimes three weeks before you hear from me.  I hate for the letters not to come regular for I know you think I'm just not writing or that something has happened to me, which is highly improbable. ('Cause I should get a purple heart for getting burned on my soldering iron last week). 

Gosh but I'd love to be home spending that furlough again.  Especially to see the little sister.  I just hope she's still wearing diapers when I do come back again.  I know she must be a little darling and I can't wait to see her. 

I had yesterday afternoon off.  I usually get every other Sunday off and yesterday was my Sunday to work but they only needed a half dozen or so to work so we drew lots to see who stayed so I was very lucky and my name stayed in the hat.  Maybe it was because I was a good little boy and went to church yesterday morning.  

It is pretty darn cold here these days and the biggest part of the time is spent here in the barracks where it's warm.  Usually play cards. Cassino or five-hundred Rummy - mostly. There's a big game on in one corner of the barracks now.  I say barracks.  Did I ever tell you we live in these little Nissen huts.  They really aren't bad.  Personally I think they are more comfortable than the barracks we had at New Orleans.  

We wondered what in heck had happened at supper when we went down the chow line and came to a pan with a little sign underneath it that read - "Sweet Potatoes." The first we'd seen since arriving in the E.T.O. (European Theater of Operations)  They were pretty good. Ordinarily I'd have complained that they weren't made into pies but not today. 

Have been out on pass very little lately.  The weather is so bad it's not much pleasure to go out.  I did go out to the Smith's last week; first time I'd been in nearly two weeks  She (Mrs. Smith) still hasn't received your letter Mom, but she was glad to know you had heard from her. 

I had a forty-eight hour pass weekend before last.  I spent it in London.  It is still the best place to go over here, I think.  Don't know yet just when I'll get my furlough but it will be about Feb. I think. Hope I'm financially able to go to Scotland. Would like to be there for New Year's Eve.  They say the Scotch really celebrate it.  I was out last year here in England and if the Scotch celebrate it anymore then it will certainly be some affair. I talked to a Scotchman in the Royal Artillery the other night.  He says bagpipes cost about five pounds. Twenty bucks. Think I better think of some other souvenir huh? 

By the way, will you send me my kid gloves soon as you can? I lost my GI ones and they can't be replaced and me little hands is freezin.  Have to dodge M.P.'s on every street corner so I can keep 'em in my pocket.  One of these days I'm gonna get picked up. And if I'm not being too greedy would you wrap 'em up in some paper like this. This is really a treat.  I get so tired of writing on that little bitty stuff which is all we can get over here. 

Well, here's Horton (Donald R. Norton from NY), trying to drag me off to the Red Cross.  Having a USO show of some kind up there tonight.  So I'll say G'nite now.  Please write often and remember - 

I love you all, 

L. Em 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

November 15, 1944

Dearest Mom, Pop, and All, 

There's not much to say tonight but I've just gotta thank you for the two packages that came in for me today.  Was the ones with the watch band, shaving lotion, etc. and the fruit cake and candy.  They are swell and thanks a million for 'em.  That fruit cake really looks good.  Just wonder how near Christmas I can wait until I cut it.  By the way what's it "spiked" with or is it spiked?  Ha! Everything came in good condition which is far from the usual.   They usually come in mashed about twice as flat as they started out, with half of the contents sticking out all sides.  

The U.S.O. show I told you about the other night was pretty good.  Not so many in the cast but what there were of them were pretty good.  Irene Manning's show is going to be here tomorrow night. I'm planning on going over. Don't know what it will be like. (The show, not Miss Manning.) Me and Norton went to a dance in town last night.  Had a pretty good time but the weather was terrible.  I think it did everything there was - sleet, snow, rain - except clear off.  About the best entertainment nowadays is listening to the BBC (or Jerrie's propaganda) from the old bunk (commonly called the sack.) 

I'll say G'night now. Write real soon and often.  

Lots of Love, 

L. Em. 

P.S. Thanks again for the boxes and all that was in 'em.  

P.P.S. Enclosed is a clipping for Tommy.   Let him know what the British think of our football.  

THE CLIPPING IS NO LONGER IN THE ENVELOPE

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

November 22, '44

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Only wish I had something real interesting to write about tonight but I haven't so 'spose it'll just have to be the usual thing:  it's raining like the mischief. I'm O.K. but sleepy and I had K.P. last Monday.  If it wasn't for K.P. and this English weather what we'd' fill these pages of stationary with I don't know.  'Course I did go out on a pass this weekend.  Friday night I went around to Smith's.  Enjoyed the visit very much.  They are really nice to me. And oh yeah. They received your letter and were tickled pink to get it.  Mrs. Smith I think wrote to you again but when I was there she hadn't yet "posted" it - That's what they say for "mailed." 

Well tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Is Alabama having one or two this year?  The English don't have Thanksgiving at all and don't really know what we talk about when we mention it.  They do have Christmas of course and in a big way too.  And already seems everybody is getting in the Christmas spirit.  The little kids don't look forward to "Santa Claus" coming on over here it's "Father Christmas." 

Saw "The White Cliffs of Dover" Saturday. I had seen it once but I was with Mitchel and he hadn't seen it and there were no other good ones on so I went anyway.  It is really a fine picture and if you get half a chance I hope you can see it.  

Well, I'll sign off for tonight.  Hope to hear from you often. (Haven't heard this week.) The mail has been pretty slow lately but seems to be getting a little better now.  Goodnight now. 

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. Emmette C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

November 29, 1944

Dearest Mom, Dad and All: 

Haven't heard from you this week but very little mail has come in.  It usually comes in in bunches nowadays so maybe I'll rate a couple of letters in the next decent mail call we have.  I hope that will be in a few days - tomorrow maybe.  I just went over to the base theatre with Hutchins and Pud, saw "Buffalo Bill." It is a good picture. As usual I'd seen it before.  I used to never like to see a show twice but I've gotten used to it now as the ones that come here are ones that have already been shown in town.  Then too they bring them back here for the second and third time sometimes. 

It actually didn't rain today.  I think that should go down in history.  All the little creeks are up around here and are a few inches over the road in some places.  Nothing like Bodka however.  I don't think there's one in the world like that. 

I had a letter from Malcolm last Friday.  He is in Germany now.  I know that kid must be catching it plenty rough.  It was a nice long letter though.  The ones he's been writing were more like little notes scratched out on most anything he could write on.  

The boys over here are all "hopped" up about the cigarette shortage.  And to use an English slang expression "They're plenty browned off."  Very seldom I smoke a cigarette though so it doesn't bother me that much.  

Got a letter from Gene last week also. He mailed it "free" which accounts for it taking so long to get here.  Anything other than air mail or V-mail takes ages.  When Justyn writes she puts three centers on and it takes anywhere from three weeks to a whole month.  Haven't heard from her but once though since she's been in Atlanta. 

Tomorrow is payday and naturally I'm glad to see it come around.  By the way are the twenty buck allotment checks coming O.K.? 

We're having a company party the sixth to celebrate our first anniversary of foreign service.  Don't know exactly what it will be like but I'll let you know. Should be pretty nice though.  

Must sign off for tonight - getting late you know and I gotta make breakfast in the morning (I'm hungry now.) Write real often and remember. 

I love you all, 

L. Em.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday night

December 7, 1944

Dearest Mom, Dad, and all, 

How's everybody tonight?  Remember today three years ago? Seems like an awful long time ago, doesn't it?  Hope it will soon all be over, but right now it doesn't look like the end will be real soon - and to think we had all hoped to be back home this Christmas.  Gosh but I'm going to miss being there this year - much more than last year 'cause then it hadn't been very long since I had been home but a year away is just too darn long for me.  I gotta admit I'm ready to be home again.  But I realize it can't be and that they've got me over here for a purpose.  So for that reason I haven't let myself get homesick - although it would be awfully easy.  

I've had another letter from you this week.  Also one from Ruth Gilbert, Uncle Harry, a package from Aunt Martha and one from Uncle Harry.  So you see I can't complain of not getting any mail this week.  

That was a lucky break Gene had meeting Sonny Kilpatrick like that.  As yet I've never run into anybody I know back home.  I even look the colored guys over pretty close thinking I might see one from Geiger but haven't even seen one.  Do you know if J. T. West is still here in England or not?  

I had a letter from Malcolm yesterday.  He is in France now.  I was glad to hear it for I'm sure he is behind the lines.  The last letter I had from him he was in Germany.  

I and a few of the boys went up to the show tonight.  It was a mystery - "Crime by Night." Pretty good but not creepy enough for a mystery to suit me.  And they also had about an "hour's worth" of shorts.   

Must go to bed now.  My beauty sleep you know.  Write soon and often.  

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

V-Mail 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Ala. 

December 15, 1944

Friday 

Dear Mom and Pop, 

Haven't heard from you in nearly two weeks now but the mail is awfully slow these days.  Seems nothing is coming through but V-mail which is the reason I'm writing this one.  AS much as I hate it I don't mind if you mix up a few along with your air mails .  It will break the long wait for a couple of air mails to come at the same time.  

There is really no news to write about.  I was. C. Q. last night so have today off.  I wrote to Gene last night.  Haven't heard from him in quite awhile.  Had a Christmas card from Joseph Reed yesterday.  It was in French so I would imagine he is still in France.  

I have a forty-eight hour pass beginning this afternoon so I'm taking off to London.  Wish you all were going with me.  Or maybe I shouldn't.  Wish though you could if it was peace time.  

Must close now for a lot of reasons but the main one being you can't write on the back of this "stationary." 

So long. 

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

Geiger Alabama

Sunday Night

12/24/44

To Pvt. Emmette W. Neel 14154652

My Dear little Em-

Tonight Santa Clause is coming to town Sook (eldest sister Myrtle Ruth) and Tommy (youngest brother, Thomas Conwell Sr.) have been in bed a long time but can't sleep.  Martha Ann (youngest sister born May 1944) has her stocking up too.  Yours and Gene's stockings is missing but we all do hope you 2 boys will be home for good next Christmas.  Even though you are not here we are thinking of you and hoping you will have a good turkey dinner which I'm sure you will.

I haven't done any plowing yet but I'll get Buck Started just after the holiday.  I'll miss old Jessie bet he got so "No Count"  I had to fire him.  I have four mules but I don't expect to use but 2  I might sell the others if I don't get another man.

The Cows are doing OK.  I am really feeding them good.  I have plenty of hay.  When you boys come home I'm turning everything over to you boys if you stay at home but you have a job waiting for you in Radar.

We are all going to the Birds (Sisters) tomorrow for Turkey dinner and then Charlie's bunch is coming to our house Wednesday for dinner.

Write us often Son and tell us if you need anything.  We get sort of worried when we don't hear regular.

Lots of Love

Dad (Emmette Conwell Neel)

When you visit the Smiths* (the British family in Ipswich who adopted Dad) give them our best regards.

D

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Wednesday night

December 27, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

I received two letters from you Sunday (Christmas Eve). One mailed the twenty-first the other the twenty-fourth. The one telling me of Grandma's passing away.  I certainly did hate to hear it but I realize we couldn't keep her with us always.  I think we should be thankful to God for leaving her with us as long as He did. Sunday night we had a midnight candlelight service at the chapel. It was very pretty.  We have had about the nearest thing to a white Christmas that is possible without snow.  In fact, I think it is much prettier.  So much as I dislike cold weather.  I'll have to admit it is beautiful.  You see it is below freezing here and the fog comes in at night and it settles on the trees, etc.  and turns to frost.  It just keeps building up and now everything, every little twig, telephone wire, etc. is covered with something like what is on the coils in the refrigerator.  And tonight (the fog isn't in yet) the moon is shining on this and the trees look like polished silver or something.  There's only one hitch it's too cold to go out and look at it.  

We got a half day off Christmas.  I went out to Smith's in the evening.  was it cold and over here no buses or streetcars ( trams they call 'em) ran on Christmas day.  And it's a pretty good way from where they live to where the trucks leave back to camp from.  But I did enjoy being out there.  They are really nice to me. 

So far as I know now I'll get a week's furlough the first week in March.  I'm looking forward to it but I wish it was to be spent in Geiger.  Now here comes the bad news:  if it is possible could you send me something like twenty bucks? Will send it back in a couple of months.  With the allotments I have taken out of my pay every month it sort of makes my burden on the Eagle kinda light every month.  

Haven't heard from Gene since he's been in Washington.  Send me his address next time you write;  just in case he doesn't write before.  I'm getting pretty worried about Mal, Jr. and Nick right now.  

I also got a letter from "sis" when I got yours the other day.  Tell her I'll answer next time I write.  

Well so long now.  Write really soon and often, and give my love to all. G'night now. 

Love

L. Em. 

1945

Sunday Night

January 14, 1945

Mom, Dad, and all,

Boy did I hit the Jack Pot with the mail yesterday.  Three letters from Mom, one from Pop, 1 from Gene, 1 from Tom, 1 from Sis, and about half a dozen Christmas cards.  Wish every day could be like that.  I'm glad to hear you had such a nice Christmas only wish Gene and I could have been there.  Especially to see little Martha Ann. Won’t she be cute next year though when she will know more about what's going on?  Hope I see her then.

We have had a lot of snow here this week but it's all melted now.  We really had fun.  It wasn't so cold but we got out and played in it like we used to do back home whenever it snowed.  Nowhere on this base was safe from a snowball attack and especially on the way to chow.  It was the lucky fellow who was back of the crowd.

I went out on past Friday night.  I went to The Smiths and played cards.  I don't go out much now as the weather is so bad. When it snowed so much the trucks didn't even run. It also gets so foggy here sometimes that they don't run either. It's not hardly an exaggeration that in these fogs you can't see the ground beneath you without getting on your knees.  One bright lad remarked that when it get he gets thirsty he just opens his mouth and hits himself off a drink of water.

I just came back from the show with Norton and Lee. Saw Frank Sinatra in Step Lively - I was bored no ends – “The Voice” gives me a pain in the ___.

That was certainly terrible about Mable Mulkins

Oh yeah, this is a request for the licorice and if you can find any popcorn I can't think of anything I'd like better for you to fill up the box with. Think that's all for now.

 I've written to uncle Harry. Hope by this time he has gotten my letter. He sent me a box of stationery some time back and I got a nice Christmas package from him.

Well must say “so long” for tonight . Write to me real often.

Love to all.

L.Em.

V-Mail

To Mr. and Mrs E. C. Neel, Geiger Alabama

January 8, 1945

Dearest Mom, Pop, and All,

Sorry it has to be just a V-Mail tonight but I'll probably have trouble filling up this one page and besides I am out of stamps so -

I got a letter today mailed the eighth of December.  I have had two or three which were mailed since then so you can see how the mail situation is these days.

It has snowed here today and we have really had a lot of fun conking each other with snow balls.  I collected quite a few down my back.  And also sliding around in the stuff except the time I slid a little too far- and right now I'm standing up to write this.

Mom, I ant to wish you and Sis many happy returns of the day on your birthdays.

Saw a pretty good show tonight, "Saratoga Trunk." I think it's the best movie we've had on this base in a long time.

Well must close now.  Write real often.  

Love to all-

L.Em.

To: Miss Myrtle Ruth Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Thursday night

January 25, 1945

Dearest Sis, 

I received your very nice letter of Dec. 23 about a week ago and was very glad to get it.  Like I am always glad to hear from any of you.  I haven't gotten a letter from any of you in about a week either and am very anxious to hear. I got Mama's package with this stationary and the gloves today - Tell her I thank her a million.  

It is awfully cold here now.  Like it was Christmas. A real heavy frost is on everything and about a pea soup fog.  

Sis, I want you to thank Mrs. Moon for the pretty Christmas card she sent me and tell her how much I appreciate her thinking of me.  I would like to write to her myself but I just don't seem to have time.  I got quite a few cards. 

Seems like you did alright for the Christmas gifts.  You tickled me wondering what Frank was going to give you. It'd serve you right if he didn't give you anything. By the way - did he? 

I saw a pretty good picture the other night.  It was "Irish Eyes Are Smiling."  Hope you will get to see it.  We are really getting to see a lot of good shows lately.  For a while we never got very many this way - only in London, but now it's different.  

I went to London last weekend.  I had a very nice time.  Only wish I could have you all along with me.  Course there are times there when everything isn't so cheerful but it's the other times I'm talking about.  I think I've seen all the places there that they have pictures of in the history and geography books.  

Sorry Miriam missed out on the "MIss L. H. S." contest. I can't seem to remember Doris MIller.  Does Miriam hear from Joseph often?  I've wondered about him.  I got a christmas card from him - in French but that was over a month ago. 

I haven't heard from Malcolm in a couple of weeks and I hear from Nick through Malcolm so you see I don't have much info on the boys right now.  

Had a letter from old Gene the same day I got yours.  He didn't say much as it was only a one-pager.  I wrote to him a couple of nights ago.  

Usually the crew of us go up to the Red Cross but it was just too blame cold tonight to stick your neck out the barrack door. We had icicles hanging off our noses this morning going to breakfast.  Right now the bunch of us are in a kind of circle around the stove.  Some guy has just opened up a can of olives he got in a package and I've got one hand full of olives and one full of fountain pen.  I'm so sleepy I'll probably eat the pen and write with the olives. 

Must say  g'night now.  Please write real often.  Give my love to all and save lots for yourself.  

Your bro. 

Buda

V-Mail

January 28, 1945

Sunday Night

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel, Geiger Alabama

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Hope you won't mind a V-Mail tonight. With news as scarce as it is with me it is quite a job to fill up the one page.  I can never think of anything to write until I am at the bottom of the page and then it is too late.  What I really wanted to tell you tonight was to not worry when you don't hear from me  because it will be about three weeks before I can write again.  Same as last Spring if you will remember.  You said you were very worried and it was all my fault because I didn't write you that I wouldn't be able to write but then I didn't know myself until it was there.  But this time it is different.  I know now what to expect.

WE had another big snow today and naturally another big show - ball fight.The BBC said tonight that this was the coldest winter in "living history."  I for one don't doubt their word either.

Well, "so long" for tonight.

Love to all

L.Em.

1,500 bombers of the Eighth Air Force, protected by some 1,000 fighters attacked the Berlin railway system on the morning of 3 February 1945

Dresden was firebombed on 13 February

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Sunday night

February 25th 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Wish this could be about a six page letter but the news I have to write these days will just about fill one - if I write real big.  Seems like it has been ages since I've written you a real long newsy letter but when you do the same thing every day it's kinda hard to do.  Have been pretty busy the past few days too. 

I went out to the Smith's Friday night.  I took a copy of the Southern home out there and they thought it simply grand that plain ordinary people should be mentioned in the local news.  Over here you've gotta be in the Royalty or upper crust or something.  They wanted to know if I'd please let them keep it.  'Course I gave it to them.  They are awfully nice people.  Mrs. Smith says she's looking for a letter from you.  

Got your letter today and also the five quid - or beg pardon. I mean the twenty bucks. Thank you very much. It will certainly be useful to me on my furlough.  Still hoping to get it a week from Tuesday but may have to wait a few weeks longer as there have been a few changes made and they aren't letting so many go at once.  One of the changes is the slight one in my address - please note on return address.  

All the boys from the deep South are together again now.  Norton, Reed, Hutchins, Howard, McGowan, Mitchell, Lee and me.  Howell is in another barracks but he never did stay in the barracks with us.  It's nice to be in the same barracks as now when we go to the Red Cross we don't have to go from hut to hut gathering them up.  

The weather has been pretty nice for the last couple of weeks.  Turned kinda chilly last night and was colder today but seems to be a little warmer tonight.  

Must close for now - Write real often - Thanks again for the "twenty." 

My love to all - 

L. Em 

V-Mail

Feb. 27, 1945

To: Mr. and Mrs E. C. Neel, Geiger Alabama

Dear Mom and Pop,

You'll probably have a three week gap in my letters but the one I wrote three weeks ago telling you there would be got to you OK.  When I got back yesterday, I had about ten or twelve letters a couple from Sis (Myrtle Ruth), about sis from you, one from Tommy, three from Magie, and one from Grace Meigs (sp).  I also heard from Malcomb*.  The old boy has made PFC.  He had been up to the front again but was in Belgium when he wrote.  He's staying with civilians who spoke only French.  Still haven't heard from Nick and Malcolm didn't mention him in his letter.

I was glad to hear ole Gene got to come home.  Just wish the Atlantic wasn't between me and home when I get furlough next month.  I'm still not sure where I'll go but still figure on going to Scotland, for a day or two anyway.

So Martha Ann can say "Hey" now huh?  Sure wish I could see her.  Hope she isn't too big when I get back again.

I'll try to write an Air Mail real soon.  Write often and don't forget I love you all.

Always-

L.Em.

*I have a copy of Malcolm's war memories which I plan to either scan or get Kady to type.  I'll post them on my Family Tree Page.

I had a V-Mail from Tommy and one from you Mom the day I left the another from you today.  So you cleaned out that closet, huh?  Golly I’d have been afraid to without having the shotgun shells first.

Sure am glad to hear you sold that house in town.

Momma I’d give anything to have you here tonight.  I’ve got to sew Eighth Air Force patches, communications patches, and service stripes on all the clothes I haven’t already got them on and believe me that’s plenty.  It’s so funny to watch this bunch of boys wielding the old needle and thread - and some of the remarks -my they’d embarrass a sailor.  I say it’s funny - it won’t be any longer when I finish this and start myself.

Sure was sorry to hear about Bud (Edward R. Neel) and Jenny Lou’s (Jenny Lou Davis Neel) little girl.

Wish I could see Rudolph - Has he changed much?  Boy, a little longer and I’ll be coming home saying cawn’t instead of cant and a monocle on one of my eyes. (Incidentally I have yet to see my first one over here.)

Haven’t been around to Smith’s in about two weeks now.  But they know I’ve been on Furlough.

Well I better stop now and start hunting a needle - Oh Me.

So Long - Write real often.

Your Son with Love,

L.Em.

Sunday Night

April 1, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Well, have you had a very nice Easter?  I have enjoyed mine.  Only wish I could have been home.  Been many a day since I've been home on Easter.

This week I had KP on Friday so took my day off today instead of the usual Saturday. I came out last night.  Stayed out at the Y.M.C.A. last night.  Got up this morning and went to church.  Remember I was on KP last Easter.  Had dinner in town and came out to The Smiths this afternoon for tea.  That's where I am now.  They are really nice to me - like I've said before.  Miss Smith says to tell you she's gonna send a box of something for the kids including a birthday gift for Martha Ann.  It's hard to find anything much but I think she has found something for them.

 I got a letter from you Thursday and also a e-mail from Tommy. Tell the boy I'll dash him off one in the next couple of days.  Certainly hated to hear about miss Annie Pinson's death.

Has anyone heard from Malcolm lately? It's been a pretty long time since I've heard from him –

Had a letter from Ruth Adams the other day says she's going to MSCW (Mississippi State College for Women) next year also had a via e-mail from “Meigs” or did I tell you that in my last letter?  Haven't heard from Jean lately either.

Well gotta say “night” for now.

Write me often - Hope to see you real soon.

Love to all,

L.Em.

Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

USAmerica

Godetia

Limes Ave.

Bramford

Ipswich

Suffolk

April 5th 45

My Dear Mrs Neel, 

This is a short note to let you know I sent the parcel off today and sincerely hope it reaches you in good order and I also find I've put in the wrong fountain pen for Tommy, I have two here very much the same, and I know one of them wanted a nib, but somehow they have been put back in their wrong cases.  I'm so sorry about that but if Tommy can get a nib, I will send the case for it if he will let me know the price, the pencil I know is usable.  

The little knife, fork and spoon is nearly 20 years old, they were given to Muriel when she was nearly 2 years old and thought little Martha Ann could try her hand at using them when she gets to that age.  

I hope you won't be offended at me sending them along to you, no doubt they will want cleaning up a bit by the time you get them.  

I have a nice picture scrapbook I made up last winter and I want Emm to bring it home to Martha Ann when he comes, it's rather large and awkward to send and maybe by then I shall have gathered some nicer gifts for the children, when I hope there will be more of such things about, however I shall keep a watchful eye to that.  

Emm was with us on Easter Saturday and Sunday, he wrote a letter to you while here, and also brought me some writing paper, as it's very difficult to get here at times, and Emm has got used to our shortage of some things over here, it's really absurd to cut the public store of writing material in fact everything in the paper line is terribly scarce, when we go to the shops for anything, we have to find our own paper bags and paper for wrapping up fish or meat or clothes, it's quite the fashion now to see people walking along with new dresses hung on their arms or hats in their hands and wool round their necks - even mens shoes and boots slung over their shoulders, our big word for this is This is England at war, and many a joke is cracked over it all. 

I hope little Martha Ann is still keeping well, I would love a picture of her when you have a spare.  My very best wishes and love to all. 

Winifred Smith

V-Mail 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

GEIGER, ALABAMA

April 9, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Only have a few minutes tonight so it will just have to be a dehydrated post card and too, I want you to hear from me. Your letter of the twenty-sixth that came today told me you hadn't heard from me in two weeks.  I hate when you don't get my letters regularly but I think that time it was due to my being on furlough.  Sure was glad to get Nick's address cause now I can find where he is and go to see him.  I wrote to him the other night but only had his unit address so it will probably be months before he gets it. 

Got a letter from Aunt Martha the other day.  It was one of these eight pagers she writes.  Got one from Justyn and yours today.  Seems the mail is getting a little better. 

Sorry the radio has gone bad.  Just wish I could be home to make it play again.  

Must say so long. for tonight.  Write often. 

All my love, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Friday 

April 13, 1945

Dearest Mom & Dad, 

We just heard the awful news of President Roosevelt's death this morning .  Everybody  seems to feel pretty low over it.  Naturally the flag on the post is at half mast.  Only hope Truman makes a good one.  

I certainly hope my letters are coming in better now.  Yours are getting to me more regular now than they have for many months now but I think that's because of the weather being better.  

Today is really a beautiful day.  Days like this nearly always end in rain at night though.  

I was C.Q. last night so have today off.  Not bad, huh? 

I was out to Smiths night before last.  Mrs. Smith had already sent the box to the kids then as guess they'll soon be getting it.  

Oh yeah, I really would like for you to send me that little folder of Geiger.  Also you might look through the pictures that I've got loose laying around for any kind of scenery around there.  Would like to show the folks what kind of a  country I live in.  

Guess you will soon have to be putting up with a couple brats all day now.  Know they're anxious for school to be out.  I know I would.  This dern Army is a lot like school, only you don't know when you will get out.  We'll no doubt go straight on to the Pacific from here too, but I hope they at least send us via the U.S.A. 

Thanks a lot for sending me Nick's address.  Unless he's moved I think I might be able to look him up.  Know that would be good for both of us.  

Must close now.  Write again real soon and often.  

All my love, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday the 19th 

(envelope postmarked April 1945) 

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

I'm sorry I haven't written this week before now but it was a sorta "hop to" affair.  We've been working until ten o'clock every night this week and honestly when we get back to the barracks all we felt like doing was crawling in the old sack and go to sleep.  I don't know of anybody who has written anything other than maybe a V-Mail they sneaked and wrote behind a radio at the shop.  We worked tonight too, but I think, and certainly hope this is the last night.  This is worse than working for Yellow Front (The Yellow Front Store) on Christmas Eve.  

It has really been a beautiful day today.  In fact it has been that way for over a week now.  Everybody is expecting a long rainy spell now.  All the trees are getting leaves on 'em now and the apple trees are in bloom.  A peach tree is unheard of in Britain.  Peaches sold here last summer for seven shillings each for a while (that's a dollar-forty) and never did get cheaper than three bob (60 cents.) So you see if you can think of a way to keep a peach from rottening before it gets over here well next summer you can send me a bushel and I'll come home with the deed to England.  But I'd much rather be home before the peaches get ripe.  Gosh I hope it's not much longer. Seems like half a lifetime since I was home.  I'd even like to be there when you're thrashing peanuts, Daddy.  Now you know I wanna go home.

I'm telling you the people over here really took Rooseevelt's death pretty hard.   Even heard one lady say she cried when she heard it on the "wireless."  I went to a show Saturday and they honored him by a minute of silence.  They did that everywhere.  Kinda makes you proud when you see how much the people of a foreign country think of America.  They were crazy about Roosevelt and I think every darn one of 'em would have voted for him in the last election if they could have voted.  

I haven't had a letter now in way over a week.  Certainly hope to get one tomorrow.  

Must close now.  It's pretty late and I'm just about to drop I'm so sleepy.  

So long. Write real often.  

My love to all, 

L. Em. 

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Wednesday night

May 2, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

The mail these last few days hasn't been so bad.  About three letters from you Mom and one from Tommy and Sis.  Sure was glad to get 'em too cause I had just not been getting any mail from home at all.  I also got a newspaper that Uncle Harry sent me.  I don't get all the copies of the Southern Home either,- and naturally the one with the poem of Uncle Charlie in it is one I never got.  It might come yet.  They are usually pretty mixed up as for the dates on 'em.  

I went out to Smith's last night.  Had a very nice time only the weather was pretty bad.  We have had pretty nice weather for five or six weeks but about a couple of days ago it made a change for the worse.  Yesterday morning it even snowed. Covered the ground but melted in a few minutes.  As for the package you're going to send I think the linens you were talking about would be O.K. They have to give up clothing coupons for that stuffs and they don't ever have enough of that so naturally they just do without the linens. (This paper keeps sliding which accounts for all the unreadable words.)

Everybody is anxiously awaiting VE Day now. The British government has already told the people what they can and cannot do. I think we might get a couple of days off (on the base) but don't know yet.  Might be longer than we think. 

Got the news of Hitler's death last night but I'm still doubtful whether it's the truth or not.  

Have you gotten the radio fixed yet? Sure hope you have 'cause I know you're lost without it. Specially now. 

Had a letter from Nick Clark and Malcolm, too, yesterday.  Sure was glad to hear from both of 'em.  Malcolm is still in Germany. Nick as you know is in hospital here in England. I'm going to try to find out where he is before my next pass and try and go to see him.  

Gosh. Just that minute heard that the German armies in Italy have surrendered unconditionally.  Looks like the end is near for this war over here.  Just wish I knew where I'll go - Pacific, Home, or stay here.  Haven't the slightest idea, which one but you know which I hope it is.  

Well gotta close now. Write real often.  Wish I could see Martha Ann walking and talking.  I still can't seem to imagine having another sister. "Night" now. 

Love to All - 

L. Em 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday Night

May 8, 1945

VE Day 

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Well the celebration is well under way now, though we're restricted to the base.  Think we can get out tomorrow.  We don't have to work tomorrow anyway.  Hope we do get out.  Have already heard President Truman's speech.  Just a few minutes ago by shortwave.  One of the boys, Lee, made a darn good shortwave receiver for the barracks especially for the VE Day news.  He just finished it yesterday, too.  Close, huh?  We heard the news yesterday only unofficial of course.  I went out to town last night and everybody already had the flags out.  Never saw so many flags in my life.  I didn't go out to Smith's.  I was planning on going out there tonight.  Think I'll go there tomorrow if I can get out.  

We had a kina short service today at 3 p.m. (when it was officially announced.) The old air-raid siren went full blast for ten minutes.  Can well remember when that thing used to mean something quite different.  The colonel made a speech and the Star Spangled Banner was played. 

Am listening to a program with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Ginny Sims, and a lot of others.  They're singing the songs that were popular since we (the U.S.) have been in the war.  And some of the songs we (G.I.s) sing in the Army. 

This thing doesn't mean we will have nothing to do from now on till we leave here.  Gosh I think we're busier now than we ever were.  Still don't have the slightest idea where we will go from here or whether we will even leave at all. But my goodness I'd love to be going home right now! 

It's nearly nine o'clock (2 pm in Geiger) and the King is going to speak then.  Over here when the King speaks everybody listens.  In every public place like a ballroom the dance is stopped and the "wireless" is turned on the amplifier.  I was at a dance once when he spoke.  I think that was right after D. Day. 

The picture show is going to run continuously from now to midnight tomorrow.  Think I'll go down about ten tonight.  That is if I'm not too sleepy.  

Well, better close now.  Write real often.  

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama 

Wednesday Night

May 16, 1945

Dear Mom, 

This is a few days late for Mother's Day but I want you to know I was thinking of you that day, and every day for that matter.  I was in London on a two day pass then.  They were still doing a bit of celebrating then but not like on VE night so they say.  I went around to most of the high spots like the House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, London Bridge.  All these were floodlit.  Especially the Houses of Parliament where "Big Ben" is.  Doesn't look like the same town with lighted windows and all.  A lot different from what it was the first time I was there.  It was dark as pitch and not a peep of light anywhere, except for tiny red lights on the edge of air raid shelters and bombed out buildings. 

It's really great for the kids.  A lot of them you know had never seen a lighted street lamp in their lives.  What I like to see 'em doing is eating an ice cream cone .  This is the first year they've been allowed to make it in about four or five years.  

I played softball the other day and how I wish I had a big bottle of that linemant we used to have.  My legs are so sore I can hardly move one in front of the other.  

We've been promised a relaxation of censorship regulations but so far no official word has come of it.  you know the Army. Wait until nobody cares anymore and then give us a break. 

I was out to Smith's last night.  First time I had been there since VE Day.  

Tell Martha Ann I said Happy Birthday.  Sure hope I'm home for her next one. 

Better close now.  Write real often. 

I love you 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

U.S.A.A.F. Ste #470                 (think it says Ste lol) 

Hitcham, Suffolk, England

May 24, 1945 

Dearest Mom and Pop, 

Tonight I will get to taste the glue on an envelope for the first time in oh a heck of a long time.  No more unit censorship.  Course our letters are subject to censorship and will probably carry a stamp but if they are censored it will be from the theatre censor and not by these officers in the 889th.  It really makes a big difference.  You don't feel as though somebody was prying into your private affairs.  

First I'll tell a few things I've wanted to all along.  I'm stationed in Suffolk County.  That's on the east coast - north of London - about seventy-five miles north.  I'm about twelve miles west of Ipswich.  Every night they run trucks into Ipswich (about 100,000 pop.) They leave at 6:15 and come back at eleven.  The Smith's live on the way into Ipswich about three miles from where the trucks park. Whenever I go in to see them I have to go all the way into town and take a tram (street car) out Bromford Road.  It takes me about two and a quarter miles so you see I have to walk nearly a mile.  Seems funny I pass right by their house and have to go back to Bramford but the trucks are in convoy and won't stop.  It's a good thing though cause guys would be stopping the trucks all the way in and they'd never get to Ipswich.  I was out there Tuesday night.  Now that the weather is a bit better I go in a little more often.  They spent last Monday (that's a holiday in England called Whitsun Monday) at the beach at a place called Lowestoft I think it's called.  Said they had a nice time but that the trains were awfully crowded.  

For overnight passes I get a forty-eight hr. pass every other week.  Nearly always I go to London.  When I was there going to this R. A. F. radio school I met an awfully nice girl down there so I've been going down to see her pretty often.  Did I ever tell you that before?  I don't think I did.  I can get a train from Ipswich about five-thirty and get to London about 7:15.  Almost the same time the Liberty Run trucks get to Ipswich.  They have a couple of trucks at four o'clock too to get the fellows there on time for this train.  Whenever we are going on a 48 hr. pass we get off from work at 3 p.m.  It's not so bad.  The train ride costs nothing either.  Uncle Sam gives us a travel warrant to any place in the U. S. we designate. The girl's name is Audrey.  Her people are very nice too, always come over to say 'hey."  They call me "Neel" down there cause another fellow (Lee) introduced me to Audrey as that and she would never change.  The name Neill is used a lot for a boys name here so it seemed quite natural to them.  I don't know exactly how I ever got the impression that the English were distant but I did - before I got here.  But it's quite the opposite.  I think they've showed all the "yanks"  lot of hospitality since we've been here.  

We left Boston, Mass. on the sixth of December 1943 and arrived at Glascow, Scotland the 17th of Dec.  We then went to an R. A. F. base called Cottismore in Ruland, County near a little town called Oakham.  We liked it up there.  Was almost halfway between Leicester and Nottingham.  Malcolm I think was stationed up around Leicester but that was after I was moved here at Hitcham.  We only stayed there for about six weeks I think it was.  

I know you're anxious to hear about the bombs and all.  When we first came over the Germans were still sending over piloted planes.  We used to get an alert but only once got any bombs, and then only two or three small ones.  Never knew whether anybody got hurt or not but I don't think they did. The most thrilling thing I saw was when right after D. Day a German plane shot down one of our bombers right over the base here.  That thing came zooming down and crashed about two hundred yards from where I was.  It dug five great big holes in the ground - one for each engine and one from the nose.  There wasn't hardly one little piece of that whole plane that you could tell what it was except the engines and they were scattered in every direction.  They got the Jerrie later with ack. ack. 

Everybody's heart was beating a little faster than usual.  Then came the buzz bombs.  Saw more of them than anything else.  We used to almost set our watches by them.  Used to have to write our letters early cause long about eight here they'd come and all the lights would go out cause you never knew when the Jerries would sneak a piloted plane in along with them.  We used to call this place "buzz bomb alley" as nearly all the bombs going to London from Holland came right over us.  So low you sometimes wondered if they could make it over the next line of trees.   Not many fell near here.  Next and probably worse was the V2 rocket bombs.  You never knew when one of those things was going to fall.  In London you'd be walking along and all of a sudden you'd hear a rumbling then a band and the ground would shake.  Some fell at an uncomfortable distance but no real narrow escapes.  You've gotta see London to understand just how bad all this really is.   The people there really took it on the chin.  It's no wonder the town was a mass of flags, floodlights, and cheering crowds on VE Day.  

Do you think you might be able to get me another pair of shoes?  These have just about seen their last days.  I'm not sure but I think if you'll show the ration board this letter they'll give you a stamp for them.  Some just like the ones I have would be fine.  Plain toe, brown (or tan), 7 1/2 - laced.  And throw in a couple pairs of socks if it's not asking too much.  If you possibly can please do this real soon 'cause I'm afraid my other ones will be absolutely unwearable in a few weeks and I haven't any G. I. ones I could wear out of camp.  I really should have written for them sooner but never thought of it at the right time.  Must close for tonight, already my pen is beginning to smoke - 

Lots of love to all, 

L. Em. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday night

June 5, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Well we've got a holiday tomorrow.  The first anniversary of D-Day.  Seems an awfully long time ago to me.  A lot has happened this year hasn't it?  Things are getting quieter all the time, that is except the British politics.  It is about as good as those board of revenue elections back home.  I don't know a thing about what's going on but I know they've got a big election coming up.  To get back to the holiday.  I'm going out to Ipswich after dinner and Sat to Bramford 'bout tea-time.  They (the Smith's) are having some friends out and they invited me out.  Just think I can sleep as late as I want to in the morning but I am going to try to make breakfast.  I've got a six-penny bet on it too.

Sure am glad to hear that Nick is back in the states.  I'm sorry I didn't get to see him before he left but I just couldn't.  See, he was in a hospital in Flint County, Wales.  And that's all the way across England.  I just couldn't make it. I hope he understood that.  I think he did though.  

Had a letter from Malcolm last week.  He's still in Germany.  Said he was doing a lot of horseback riding - on Wehrmacht horses.  That's just like a bunch of G. I.'s. He's hoping he'll come back via England and I sure hope we'll get to see each other, and if I'm still here when he comes through there's a good chance that I will as he'll probably leave from Southampton and I can get there O. K.  Or I can meet him in London.  Still don't know what's in store for me.  Rumors are spreading around thick and fast now.  Tell Elizabeth Ballard to write Cookie where I am as he might come through there and can see me.  I'd give anything to see somebody I knew from home.  Anybody - I'm not at all particular who.  I give all the faces the once over when I see them thinking maybe one of 'em is from Geiger.  So far the nearest one is Owen's and still I didn't ever know him before.  He's a swell guy and I see him quite often.  He's in the Supply Division.  I usually see him in the chow hall.  

Suppose the kids (or maybe I shouldn't call 'em kids anymore) are out of school now.  I'd certainly have liked to have seen Tommie in that dress. Did he get any whistles?  Know Sis was sweet in the recital too.  Hate to miss all that.  Maybe I'll be home in time to see Martha Ann graduate.  If you see some old beat up guy hobbling up the driveway one of these days it'll probably be me.  Could be though, and I like to hope so, I'll be home in the next few months even if I do have to dash off to the pacific.  That's the tough part of coming home now.  I've always wanted to come home to stay whenever I did come.  

I had a nice long letter from Mary Kathryn yesterday.  The first time she has written to me.  I enjoyed it though.  Certainly hope she comes through her operation O.K. 

I'm going to school two hours a day now.  I'm taking Mechanical Drawing (drafting.)  I really enjoy it.  

What's the matter with that sailor brother of mine?  I haven't heard from him since just after Christmas and I wrote last too.  

Mrs. Smith was glad to hear that the package has gotten there.  Maybe she's heard from you since I've been there as I haven't seen them since last Friday.  I was supposed to meet them in Ipswich but the weather was bad so Mr. Smith met me on his "cycle" (English for bicycle - they all have one.) and we went back out to Bramford. 

I'm going to London Friday night if nothing happens.  Never know these days what to expect though.  

Tell Martha Ann I enjoyed her letter and to write me again soon.  

Gotta close now.  

Love to all, 

L. Em.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Tuesday night

June 19, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Got a letter from you yesterday.  The first I had received in over two weeks.  Sure was glad to get it too.  

I'll try to tell you what I know.  First let me straighten you out on this 8th Air Force deal.  you see the 889th Air Force is only attached to the 8th. When we first came over we were attached to the ninth Air Force (I couldn't tell you that then.) That was when we were up in Rutland Co. at Cottesmore.  They can unattach us just as easy as they attached us.  Anyway I don't think all the 8th will do the same thing.  

We moved again yesterday.  We aren't under maintenance now.  We are back as an individual outfit.  Still at Station 470 though and doing the same thing.  Use the same old address without (Maint. Div.) on it.  Far as leaving goes we still only guess.  They say they'll let us know but never can tell. 'Course everybody likes to believe we're gonna hit the U.S.A. soon but that is being kinda optimistic.  We've been gone a long long time now and everybody is getting a bit homesick especially now that the war over here is over and all. 

Wonder if y'all will get to hear the broadcast of our Father's Day church service.  It was broadcast over AFN and the BBC Sunday at 10:15 and the BBC made a record of it and sent it to the states. Don't know what network it will be on.  It was from the 470 Chapel and the Protestant service. It was mighty nice.  Thought about you Daddy.  

So the whole crew is working now, huh?  Mama if I were you they'd all have to pay me a wage or I'd go on strike and not cook 'em any Sunday dinner. 

Yep, Mama, I got the popcorn.  I know I wrote you. I'm not surprised if you never got the letter though cause the mail is all messed up now. As a rule the British mail is pretty good but a couple of weeks ago Audrey wrote me a letter and it took eleven days.  Just from London. 

We've been pretty busy the past few days - getting moved and settled again.  It's a job I hate.  One we all hate. 

We're gonna get new uniforms.  We are going to have Eisenhower Jackets.  Maybe you've seen pictures of them.  They only come to your waist and fit real tight around the belt.  I think I'm going to like it better than the one I have.  

Gotta close now and hit the sack.  Pretty tired.  Played nine innings of a softball game in right and center field.  I was both of 'em.  Norton pitched for us and did I work.  Run me little rear end off.  Well so long now.  

Write often, 

Love to all

L. Em. 

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Ala 

Friday night

June 29, 1945

Dearest Mama and Daddy, 

Sure was good to get your letter Tuesday.  What on earth did you ever do with Bubber?  Did he get killed? Or did you manage to keep him from behind the mules?  I'd have surely liked to have seen that bunch.  I'm getting awfully anxious to see everybody right now.  Hope it's not so long now, but you can never tell how much longer it will be.  

I was out to the Smith's Tuesday night.  They had just gotten Myrtle Ruth's letter and were they thrilled. They thought she wrote such a nice letter to be so young.  

I got a "Southern Home" today that really made me feel old.  It listed all the '45 Senior class. Gosh I remember most of those as kids the last time I saw 'em.  And old Phil (Phil Neel, Dad's 1st Cousin and the creator of Aubie the Auburn Tiger)  among 'em.  I can hardly imagine it.  But I've been away a long time now.  Over eighteen months here at Hitcham.  We're wearing three of these little gold bars on our brand new "Ike Jackets" now.  We call those "Hershey Bars." Get it? 

We've had a few warm days lately but it's cold now and raining.  Looks like we aren't gonna get any summer this year.  

I'm feeling a little under the weather right now. Took shots yesterday.  One was a smallpox vaccination and the dern thing is "taking" this time I believe. If and when I ever get to be a civilian again I'm going to just take my chances on these diseases "cause I'm absolutely fed up with all these shots they give you in the army.  My little arms have really caught h--- these last two years.  

Do Tom and Sis like their jobs? Ask Tommy if he could spare a buck? 

What's the matter with Gene?  Is he still in Washington?  I haven't heard from him since right after Christmas.  

Oh yeah - You asked me about *Audrey? Yep - I do think a whole lot of her.  Her last name is Stubbs. 

So Rachael got married huh? That's nearly the whole bunch ('cept me).  Had a letter from Nell Shaifer the other day.  She's marrying a fellow who's working in Hawaii.  And oh yeah did I tell you - Margie Ingram went and got herself engaged to an Ensign. 

Well gotta sign off for tonight.  Be looking for your letters.  'Bye now.  

All my love, 

L. Em 

P.S. Malcolm is in Marchais, France now and going to Berlin soon.  

*If I have this story right, he came back engaged to Audrey Stubbs and then ran into the pretty Lee girl.  As far as I can tell. we have no photos of Audrey.  I will continue looking.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

July 4, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Had a letter from you Sunday.  Sure was glad to get it.  Had a letter from Mary Kathryn yesterday.  She said she was nearly well.  I sure am glad.  She said Gene had mumps.  Also sent me Phil's address.  

It's hard to believe but we have a holiday today.  I'm planning on going on a picnic this afternoon at Clacton on Sea. It's out from Colchester on the beach.  It's supposed to be a mighty nice place.  A resort in peace time.  Lots of buzz bombs hit there last winter though so don't imagine it will be as nice as it once was.  The trucks leave at one o'clock.  I did some washing today. I hate that job. It's eleven now so I'll have to be off to chow any minute now.  

I'm not going to school anymore. It's been discontinued.  I kinda hate it too as I was taking "mechanical drawing." A funny thing happened the other day. We were in class - a typical bunch in the army.  The instructor sitting on his desk with feet propped on the nextdesk.  Buys with their hats on and pants legs rolled up, dog tags dangling outside shirts, etc.  and a bunch of English school teachers walked in unexpectedly on a tour of inspection to see how American schools were conducted.  I can imagine what they thought.  One lady peepped over my shoulder and looked at my drawing and said "it's a bit like drawf'ting isn't it?" I wanted to say that's exactly what it is but counted to ten and just said, "yes'm." 

Well gotta stop now.  J. T. is rattling a mess cup and silverware (tools) in my ear and hollering "chow."  

Love always, 

L. Em.

P.S. If you haven't already mailed the shoes you better just keep 'em there 'til I write for 'em again.  There's a little mix up here right now 'bout civvy shoes.

V-Mail 

MR. and MRS.. E. C. NEEL

GEIGER, ALABAMA

Wednesday night

July 18, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Thought I'd better write tonight and explain the V-Mail I had to send the other day.  I know you're on pins.You see we have a darn good chance of returning to the good ole U. S. A. Can't say just when. Have a good idea but we aren't supposed to write it. All the civilians in Ipswich know so I can't see why. But it's just as well as you know how this Army is - they can always change orders on a minute's notice. That's why I've hesitated to write about it before now for fear I'd have you all excited about me coming and then they'd ship us to the Pacific instead.  I might say to still not get too "hopped" up. I'll send you a telegram as soon as I step foot ashore. Or when I get to Fort Mac at the latest. We are busy as everything - one inspection after another. Aren't allowed anymore passes - 24 hours that is. Only get 6 hour ones, but Audrey and Mrs. Stubbs came up to see me Sunday. I met them in Ipswich. I called Audrey tonight, she's coming up again Saturday if I'm still allowed a pass then. 

Hate not hearing from you in the next few weeks but under these circumstances I can wait. O.K. Gosh it'll be good to see everyone again. Must close now. 

See you soon. 

All my love, 

L. Em.

He drew a picture of crossed fingers 

P.S. Any frying size chicks left on the yard? 

V-Mail 

Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

July 30, 1945

Dearest Mama and Dad, 

Not much I can say tonight but I know you are anxious to hear from me after my last letter I wrote. Just want to let you know I am still in England. Just when we will be leaving for the U.S. I couldn't say but we are all hoping it will be very soon. A different rumor comes out every hour so you never do know what to believe.  Anyway you will see the list of units returning in the paper won't you. Whenever I do come, I'll come thru Fort Mc. Am hoping I can get there before Uncle Mal and then leave for Geiger.  Maybe I can come with htem.  I will have 21 days or maybe even a month at home.  Just keep your fingers crossed for me.  I'm afraid I've had my last letter from you as I got one from you day before yesterday and I'm sure you've gotten that darn V-Mail they made me mail to our correspondents. I sure do hate not hearing from you and I only hope I won't be needing any mail for the next few weeks.  Hope I will be home and I'm certainly looking forward to it.  It's about time - two years nearly. Well "so long." See you very soon. I hope! I hope! Love always, L. Em. 

Generic Military "Stop Mail" form letter

Grandmama Neel even kept this.  Love Her!

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Monday night

August 6, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

I thought that by this time we'd be home or well on our way but no - we're still waiting around.  I don't know what is wrong - maybe this going home was a wild dream of ours.  Don't know what to think.  This thing of not getting any mail is about to get the best of us all.  Don't suppose any of us will get any more unless it is a stray one somewhere.  I think even Audrey started to send her letters to Geiger so don't be surprised if one or two comes in.  (And tell Sook not to let her curiosity get the best of her.)  She's away on her vacation with her mother down on the south coast now.  

Speaking of the coast, the 889th spent the day at Clacton yesterday.  Went swimming in the North Sea, but the water was awfully cold, so you know me - I didn't stay in very long.  I'm darn near 'bout to get a sun tan.  We had a hail storm last night, boy it really did come down.  I thought the top of this barracks was going to beat in.  It covered the ground with hailstones for a few minutes.  - 'till they melted.  I imagine it did a lot of damage to the drops around here. It's been cold enough for a jacket today too and yesterday was one of the hottest days they've had here.  

We aren't doing any work now and haven't for about a month.  Just lay around and play ball or cards, or "battleship." I think we'll go on another trip like yesterday soon.  Maybe one of these days we'll make the return trip to the U. S. A. This Army does things in the darndest way sometimes.  Never know what to expect.  

Went to the pictures last night.  (Before the hailstorm.)  Saw Betty Grable in "Diamond Horseshoe."  Was pretty good. 

Sure was glad to hear that Gene had been home on leave.  Sure hope he ca be home whenever (and if ever) I get there.  

Got a "Southern Home" today.  It had Ruth's and Jarvis' visit in it.  Kinda old huh? 

Haven't seen the Smith's lately.  I told 'em goodbye about three times.  Guess they think I've already gone.  If I can wiggle another pass I'll have to drop in and say goodbye again.  

Please excuse the pencil.  I lost my pen somewhere and this indelible pencil is all I've got to write with.  

There's no news so I'll close for now.  Hope to see you pretty soon but don't get the hopes up too high.  

All my love - 

L. Em. 

Mom and Dad had a keen sense of history.  They kept these since the war, signed on the back by his buddies returning home on the same ship.

Pfc Emmette W. Neel 14154652

889th Signal Co. Depot (Avn.)

Robins Field 2, Ga

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Ala. 

Tuesday evening

Oct. 23, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Well here we are.  Got in last night about 3 AM. Aren't exactly settled yet as only the boys from Fort. McPherson and those from Ohio and Penn. are here.  We are in a barracks now just temporarily.  Moving to a new area in the morning.  Right now we are mixed up with the 21st Air Depot Group.  That's what Owens is in.  Fact is he slept across the aisle from me.  Pud got a discharge.  All the rest of the old gang is together except McGowan.  Looking for him in tomorrow. 

Had a good time at Aunt Martha's.  Got in Atlanta about 8 PM Friday.  Went out to Fort Mc. Sunday evening about 3 PM and they let us out until 7:30 AM Monday (yesterday) morning. They didn't lose any time with us either.  Left there in a downpour about 8 last night.  Had a few minutes off at the station in Atlanta.  Went out for a sandwich and coffee and ran into the Pennsylvania boys in the same hamburger joint.  They are pretty good fellows, it's the N. Y. and Ohio guys we can't along with.    

Have you heard from Gene yet?  Certainly hope you have.  Let me know 'bout him.  

We are going to a show in a few minutes.  I think it's a wild west "Hoss Opera." Don't know the name of it.  

Well no news yet to write about so I'll close for now.  My love to all. L. Em. 

P.S. Throw "Doodle" over the hall curtain for me. 

Pfc Emmette W. Neel 14154652

889 th Signal Co Dep. Avn. 

Robins Field, 2, Georgia 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama 

Monday morning

October 29, 1945 

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Haven't much to say except I made it back O.K.  Went on to Reform on bus and caught another to Gardo. Owen had gone on and left word at the bus station for me to go on.  

Got in about 11:30 last night. 

I'm barracks orderly today.  Which accounts for how I'm able to write this letter in the morning.  When you are on B.O. you have the detail for the day and can't be picked for any other detail.  It's really a racket as you can clean the barracks in fifteen minutes then you hit the sack for the rest of the day.  

Sure did enjoy being home and only wish it could have been for longer but thankful I had the chance to get there even for a day.  

Will close now for lack of news.  

Write often.  

Love to all, 

Little Em 

P.f.c. Emmette W. Neel 14154652

889th Signal C. Depot Avn. 

Robins Field 2, Ga. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama 

Monday night

November 5, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Sure was glad to hear from you today.  Hate to hear that Gene is leaving Washington. That is unless he's coming closer home like to New Orleans.  Don't know what's going to become of us after tomorrow.  This is the last day there will be such a thing as the 889th Signal Company Depot (Aviation.) We will all be Air Corps (unattached) or so they told us today.  Case you don't know that's a high class word for "labor battalion."  That's all we've been though since we've been here so it will be nothing to do.  Every day they drive a big truck up in front of the barracks and drive us in like cows, and take us to the salvage dump.  Salvage here means anything, even brand new airplane parts.  It is heartbreaking to see brand new radio sets that cost over a thousand dollars just uncrated as they've come from the factory and thrown in a pile to ruin.  Makes you wonder just what the h--- it's all about.  And they'd send a man to Fort Leavenworth for ten years if he took so much as a tube out of one.  Talking about a bunch of dissatisfied boys you ought to see 'em here - and I'm one of them, too.  They've got civilians here that sit down all day long and tell us what box to open and where to throw the brand new airplane parts.  Out there where we were today there was a whole tail assembly for a B-17 - never been on a plane and welders cut it up with an acetylene torch and we threw it in the scrap aluminum pile.  And they want people to buy bonds! 

Went up to Atlanta via of hitchhiking Friday night. Got to Aunt Marthas 'bout ten thirty.  Went to U.S.O. dance Sat. night.  Nick Clark and his wife spent Sunday with Aunt Martha.  I came back on the bus.  

Hope to come home next weekend.  Don't know for sure though so don't be disappointed if I don't show up.  Hate to write such an uncheerful letter but I know you'd rather I'd be truthful about it - I wanna come home - and bad. 

Love to all, 

L. Em. 

P.f.c. Emmette W. Neel 14154652

889th Signal Co. Depot Avn. 

Robins Field 2, Ga. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Thursday 

8 Nov 45

Dearest Mom and Dad, 

Just a few lines to let you know I'm alerted for shipment.  Norton, Hutchins, and me are going to Ogden, Utah.  Of all places.  I'll freeze to death I know.  They tell me it goes to 30 below. Brrrrr. 

Howard, Mitchell, and Lee are going to Indiana.  We hate to have to be split up now after so long a time together.  Wish they were going with us instead. 

Did you know they are discharging men with 50 points and 2 years service now?  Heard a rumor in the Service Club latrine that this would be lowered to 45 on the 15th.   Sure hope the guy knows what he's talking about.  We all went over to a dance at the Service Club last night.  Had a pretty good time.  

Hope everybody at home is O.K.  Sure hate that I won't be able to come home this weekend.  Had counted on it so much.  We were supposed to get from 4:45 PM Friday to 8 AM Tuesday due to Armistice Day being on Monday.  

Must stop now and pack a coupe of bags.  My address will be as follows.  

P.f.c. Emmette W. Neel 

14154652

4135th AAF Base Unit

Hill Field

Ogden, Utah

Write often.  Sure hate to go but nothing I can do about it but go.  Maybe I won't be gone for long and will soon get that Ruptured Duck.  

Bye now. 

Love to all - 

Little Em 

The Honorable Service Lapel Button or "Ruptured Duck"

Pfc Emmette W. Neel 

14154652

4135th AAF Base Unit, Sq. B. 

Hill Field

Ogden, Utah

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel 

Geiger, Alabama

Hill Field, Ogden, Utah

November 13, 1945

Dearest Mama and Daddy, 

Finally a chance to write.  Gosh but it's a long trip out here.  We left Macon at 4 pm last Thursday.  Everything was all messed up about our pullman reservations and we had to lay over in Atlanta 'til Friday morning.  I didn't go out to Aunt Martha's as Norton and I went out to Hutchins.  He asked us to go with him  Called his girlfriend and she got a couple more girls.  

Left Atlanta about 11 o'clock Friday morning and got to Chicago about 8 Saturday morning.  Had to lay over there until 8:30 Sat. night.  Norton and I kinda showed Hutchins where we went to school and as many of the sights of Chicago as possible.  I called Lorraine and we saw a picture - "State Fair."  We didn't have any more layovers or have to change trains after Chicago.  Really went in class too.  Rode the "Challenger" on the "Union Pacific."  Went through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. - 4 more to my list.  Might have touched Colorado but didn't know it if I did.  Now that we're here it looks like we will turn right around and go back.  That's what I hope happens anyway.  You see yesterday the paints dropped to 45 and 2  years service.  And we've got 46 points and 27 months service.  I think they will start processing us right away.  That is if don't up and declare us essential.  Anyway that "duck" is getting closer and closer.  Almost in sight now.  

I can't wait to get away from here.  Boy I've never seen it as cold as this.  I don't know what altitude we are here but it must be way up.  There's mountains all around us completely covered with snow.  Freeze you to death to look at 'em.  Snow and ice on the ground everywhere.  And so cold it's like sand.  

Only good thing I can see about the place is there is no K.P.  Italian prisoners of war here even sweep under your sack for you.  So far we haven't turned a hand to do anything.  Just eat and sleep but I doubt very much if that will last long.  No kidding though, it's too cold for human inhabitation in this part of the country.  

Well write again soon.  Hope to see you by Christmas anyway.  Write often. 

Love to all - 

Little Em. 

Army Demobilisation

The points were all that mattered.

One point for each month in service in the Army

One additional point for each month in service overseas

Five points for each campaign

Five points for a medal for merit or valor (Silver Star for example)

Five points for a purple heart (awarded to all soldiers who were wounded in action)

Twelve points for each dependent child up to three dependent children

4135th AAF Base Unit Sqdn B

Hill Field - Ogden Utah

Monday night, November 19th (postmarked NOV 20 1945)

To: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Neel

Geiger, Alabama

Dearest Mama and Daddy,

Sure was glad to get your letter.  It came Friday morning and I started to answer it after dinner but had to stop.  Hutch, Norton, and I went to Salt Lake City Friday night and came back here Sunday (yesterday) night.  Had a right nice time.  It is a pretty town.  The streets are all four lane and the blocks are perfect squares. - Easy to get around in.  The sidewalks and streets are on the same level so no chance of stepping off a curb.  But how human beings can live in cold weather I can't see.  I think they must be half eskimo.

We didn't do much, as didn't any one of us have but about $4.oo.  Don't suppose we'd have gone if we'd known that we probably won't get paid this month until we get back to the separation center.  All three of us went down and wired for money this morning.  Gosh I hated to do it cause I know it's not plentiful but if they send us back on the train just don't know how we'd eat.

hey say we are supposed to leave before the first - you know when we left Macon they gave us a railroad ticket and travel orders.  The orders called for 10 meals at a dollar a meal, but they didn't give us meal tickets.  The way it turned out was we had to eat 15 meals as it took us five days to get here.  And without those meal tickets we had to pay about a buck and a half or seventy-five for every meal.  That was just about all any of us had.  We tried to get paid for the fifteen meals but they only paid us for 10 which was $10.  You see, we lost money on this trip out here.  It's not supposed to be that way but it happened to us.

Can you see now why I'm broke?  Hope it doesn't cause you too much trouble.  Things may work out that they pay us before we leave here but we kinda wanted to be on the safe side just in case they don't.

We went over to the show on the base tonight.  Saw "San Antonio" a western in Technicolor.  Was pretty good - Lots of shooting and good fights.

I sure did hate to hear of Silver getting shot.  Is she doing alright now?  Seems something could be done about that - Maybe shooting somebody with buck shots might help, huh?

Just think!  I oughta be home in another three weeks - A Civilian by Christmas!  That's my goal now.  Seems almost too good to be true and I can hardly wait till then.  Lastest rumor is they will begin our processing about the twentieth.  That's tomorrow.  Sho do hope they do.  So my little brother (Gene married Betty Potts) is gonna get married - What cha know about that.  Have they set a date yet?

Had a letter from Audrey (Stubbs, the British girl he met over there) just before we left Robins Field, but haven't gotten a letter since I've been here.   I wrote her to send her letters to Geiger and you could forward im on to me as I'd more than likely be trapesing all over the country in the next few days and you could keep up with me a lot easier than she could.

Will Close for now.  Write soon and often and don't forget I love you all.  Night now.

Love

LittleEm

P.S. What's happening at Russell Gilbert's lately?

My dad was very clever and smart.  They were married in June