January 23, 1940

Letter from Francis Poltrack describing a day at Flamingo[sic] Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico. Francis was serving in the Marine Corps when this letter was sent.

Transcription

Eddie told a monstrous lie…
I write to him as much as he writes to me… sneer.

Culebra Puerto Rico
January 23, 1940

Hullo Aya & alla (Including Choll and Cholla)

     Flamingo Beach … what does the name suggest to you? Flamingo bird … tropical, tropical palm trees - warm sun - sea breeze - sand white… clean… In fact the best sand I ever had in my shoes. Si Señor, this morning and afternoon was spent lolling in tropical splendor on the cool white sands of Flamingo Beach. The waves - mountains - tossed about like so much driftwood - Ah what a day. I could see the sands of Manor Beach (Heaven rest her sands) blush a rosy-red then pale in comparison and finally turn an ashen gray in utter despair. I could see the waters of forsaid -  i.e. Manor Beach turn green with envy receding before the mountain our gay leaping, running, caressing , and tangy blue of the Atlantic as it frolics about “Flamingo Beach”. After the swimming party, a lunch as usual. A native “muchacho” comes along selling coconuts for a nickel, skillfully breaking them open with a machete.

     Aye, I paid a price to get there, but I finally did. The price? A fellow  Marine puts it “You need a saddle to ride this boat”. Another “Go on, roll over you *******!”

     Food aboard the ship is about the best I’ve ever had … What with the ineffable beauty of tropical sunrises sunsets - despite the part that the golden glow lights up the ominous gray of the U.S. Fleet at anchor. God seems to reign over all supreme, sublime …silent…

Much love to all, Fran

X’s for Mom

[Editor’s Note] Fran refers to it as Flamingo Beach, but he probably means Flamenco Beach which is located in Culebra, Puerto Rico.