Helen Romako Letter
My Aunt Helen loved to write letters. She would sit at her favorite mahogany desk and type out missives for her brothers when they were serving overseas. The war hadn’t started yet, but men in the family were being drafted. This letter was sent to her brother Ed Poltrack who was training to be a pilot in the Army Air Corps. She has some harsh words about Dolly who apparently was my Dad’s girlfriend at the time.
Transcription
1st of March 1941 Dear Eddie: I always thought Saturday was such a long day, but today seems to be full of endless tasks and doesn’t seem long enough---even for this. However. I’m plumb wore out and will grab anything for an excuse to sit down. Poor Charlene is talking to herself and has no one to play with her--how she loves attention too! That goes for her cousins too. Just talked to Marcia on phone and she and Cynthia are confined to New Canaan because of colds. So nobody’s happy! Lil was on the verge of calling me when I called her and that’s the way it always happens---first one to get lonesome is out 15 cents. March breezed in a la blizzard style last nite. We were to go to Bingo (for a change because prizes were cash) and Charles weakened, saying he’d rather be a dead sissy than a live hero. Henry, however, sailed into town as usual and Anthony and Johnny went driving around in driving snowstorm, in search of ice-cream and who knows what else. Sure enough, he slid into a car --tapped it gently with no damage done. Henry was offered a job in Detroit--same thing as in Stratford. He also received a rating of 80 on the radio-engineer’s application. That’s the one he was waiting for and I hope it materializes. Peter and Johnny came over Monday night--Johnny as usual to type letter. He was in a rare form and unusually gay. Pete, on the other hand, was pooped after the first drill and when he came in, it was on all fours and with statement, “Gosh, they kilt me”. He wasn’t feeling well for some time and might have been sick yet, but he certainly did not seem very happy. Perhaps he is regretting his enlistment. Tony attended choir dance in uniform -walking straight as usual and conceited too, but very much under the influence of spiritus frumenti. He was wandering around with his arm around two or three girls and very much Tony. The dance was crummy. Crowded dance floor, stuffy atmosphere, kindergarten attendance. Our generation must have settled down to raising families and maybe that’s our cue. But you can’t say I didn’t try. The crowd was to do the conga and no one budged--all the kids want to do is lindy hop, ankle socks, saddle shoes and all! Did you hear Kayser Wednesday night? Mary and I were so delighted with his all-Marine program (1 Hr. long) that we forgot that we got so annoyed with him in the past and have switched over to his side. In fact, I’m tempted to write him a letter of appreciation. A thousand Marines sang “Halls of Montezuma”; the song was played a la Hawaiian and Scotch style; a new song “Tell it to the Marines” was done very well; cracks were good and eulogies prominent throughout program. Joe and Eddie Sienkiewicz were over and what with trying to be polite and catering to baby, whose supper-time it was, I almost got high blood pressure or something , but it was wonderful! Kyser said, when awarding money to Marine. “Use it for ration money, no ration money, no rotation money-- oh, money for food!” If you heard program, send above paragraph back. If Russell is actually going, he won’t be seeing much of you, will he? He won’t be getting into the same class either I suppose? It’s too bad he didn’t go long ago since his first idea was to be with you. Frank Dombrowski is the latest draftee and it’s really hitting home how because the gang who used Willow St. as a clearing house, none remain. There’s Anthony and Johnny yes, but I suppose it won’t be long. Anthony could be so funny. While he was talking to me on the phone, I asked to speak with Henry and he said “Aw. Helen, he’ll be so bored!”. I met his Dolly at dance and although she is cute, it’s probably because of he age or because she is small and slight. I doubt she’ll have much to offer in a couple of years--and Italian looking at that. It was old home Wk. for Anthony and all his girlfriends, former, past and present were at the dance. His Helen was very much on the side-lines and I figured she was out of that dancing chorus of young-uns too, but Anthony reassured me that she ‘s younger than some. She wasn't too popular anyway. I’m still taking pictures of Charlene, but waiting for a real likeness before I send any. These are good, especially since I’m an amateur at indoor photography, but I want the face to be outstanding. Think you’ll wait a long time? Re Your Y.M.C.A. letter-head, Peter said you’d have more to brag about if it was Y.W.C.A paper. Humph--8 o’clock and my visitors today were or was, the landlord. And yesterday Johnny K. came over whilst I had all the innards out of the frigidaire and was doing spring cleaning. He couldn’t even find a chair to sit on. But I guess I’ll start on Fran’s letter now--maybe something will happen in the meantime so that I can continue on with something interesting for a change. P.S. Nothing Happened. Today, Sunday, saw “This Thing Called Love” - Melvyn Douglas. Good too. But Matinee kids were worse than ever before and much was lost. Had to laugh tho’ when in a wet scene in another picture, someone asked if it was snow or rain and a rhythmic chorus commenced over the house, it’s snow, no it’s rain!! I’m slipping--can’t concoct another page. It’s probably because the Sat. I spoke of slipped into eternity and it is now Sunday, the day of good programs, Sunday papers etc. and the day you’re missed most. How is your nostalgia? Hasta Luego Con amore Helen [written] Henry waited 3 hrs. In line yesterday to get registration & finally paid kid $1.00 to be in front & got in.