Return After Ten Days To
Pvt. L Winsauer, Co. B. Bks. 7. (School)
Fitzsimons General Hospital
Denver, Colorado

Miss Jeanne Johnson
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

11/20/41

Dear Jeanne,

Darling I got your swell box of candy today, and don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve a swell fella like you for a girl friend. I’ve got nothing to be more thankful for this year than the fact that I met you, and absolutely nothing to be less thankful for than having to be away from you.

When I was sent to Denver I thought, “Oh boy, it’s going to be swell up there,” but it hasn’t made a hell of a lot of difference — Louisiana or Colorado what’s the difference? — They’re both over a thousand miles from Sheboygan, and being in Denver has merely made me realize that it isn’t the army life I hate, but the fact that the damn army keeps me away from you.

Shorty I miss you so damn much it hurts — I know I let you down, I don’t write for weeks at a time, but please believe me, it’s not because I’ve changed any in my feelings toward you. Once before I tried to explain why I don’t write more often — and couldn’t do it, so I’m not going to try now. You’ll just have to take my word for it Jeanne, it’s not because I love you any less now than I did when we were together, its just that—the heck, I don’t know why it is.

It really wouldn’t be bad at all here in Denver, if it were about a thousand miles nearer home. We’re right at the foot of the Rocky Mts. and the climate is excellent, the people of Denver treat the soldiers swell, and the school is a snap, (I’ve had most of the stuff at Madison). We go to classes from 8:00 to 11:30 in the morning, and from 1:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon. From 3:30 to about 5:00 we have marching drill and are free from then on.

The classes consist of a variety of subjects including anatomy, physiology, bandaging, minor surgery, hygiene and sanitation, etc. After next week we go into the hospital wards and we’ll work there for the rest of the time w’’re here. Darling I know I’m not going to get home for  Christmas and maybe not even for New Year’s — isn’t that just ducky? Boy it turns me up every time I think of it.

We’re supposed to finish up here on the 1st of January, but because of the holidays they’ll probably let us leave a couple of days earlier. However, I think I’ll have to report back to Camp Polk before I can get a furlough, and that means no New Years. No one at school here seems to know exactly when we’ll finish up, but as soon as I find out I’m going to write to Polk and see if they won’t sent a furlough to me up here. They have already told us we’d be here for Christmas.

Sorry I won’t be able to make that Christmas formal — not that I’m crazy about formals — but I envy the lucky guy who’s going to get to take J. Johnson. Who in the heck told you about those dancing lessons? My mother I’ll bet. ‘Cause that was just some years ago so you really can’t hold ‘em against me now. Did I ever tell you why I won’t dance? Well you see it’s like this — Once upon a time — But heck, you wouldn’t be interested in ancient history. (I know, I should be shot!)

You say that $14.00 a week you’re making isn’t much? I’ll gladly trade my $30 a month for it, and throw in a little extra to boot. How did you make out at Kohler? Hope you get a job in the office ‘cause its a pretty nice place to work. I worked there one summer and liked it. Only thing is it didn’t pay enough. Just writing you and talking about home sorta gets me down again. It’s funny, I’ll be feeling perfectly O.K. in this G. damn army for days at a time, then I’ll get a letter, or hear some tune, or see some girl who reminds me of you, and wham! I’m down in the dumps again. 

It happens to make one hell of a difference to me Jeanne, whether you feel the same way about me now as you did six months ago. ‘Wish I was only home so I could prove just how much difference it does make.

Many, many thanks for the candy, not only from myself, but from the rest of the fellows on the floor—they all asked me to thank you for them too — you can imagine how popular I was today, thanks to you. Well so long and good night for now shorty—

All my love,

L. (“Stinkie”?) Winsauer