Hal Cohen Letter - October 29, 1943
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Title
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Hal Cohen Letter - October 29, 1943
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Description
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Fri Oct. 29, 1943
My Dearest Bev -
There have been many things I’ve wanted to tell you
in the past but felt a little self conscious about
it since I know our censor so well. But honey I’m
sure you know just how much I love you and how
I miss being with you. I think about you from
the time I get up till I go to sleep, and then I
dream about you. Gee hon, I wish this would be
over soon so we could be to-gether again.
Many times during the day I’ll find myself wondering
what you’re doing. I recall all the wonderful times
we've had to-gether. The fun we had at Weil’s, those
walks we took in Wilmington, how good it felt to
get home and find you waiting. I get the chills
feeling those ice-cold feet of yours and remember
how cute you looked in your flannel pajamas.
The only thing I can cuddle with now are my
memories.
Everything that happens, everything I see I think
of in terms of what you think of them. I’d like so
to have you with me, to appreciate the beautiful
scenery, the interesting people, the old castles and
towns. In a way I feel you are here. Just thinking
of you makes me feel that way. I look at my band
and live again that moment when I placed it on
your finger and we became man and wife. Guess
I’m just plain lucky to have you. You can be certain
too that you’ve made me as happy as I could
ever hope to be.
Just knowing that you’re back home waiting
and planning all the things we’ll do together.
Our own little home, run the way you want it
to be, because that’s the way I’d like it to be.
Helping again with my work, giving me advice,
[page II]
going out together, yes just being together again,
all these things make every thing bearable and
make me look forward to the day they’ll come
about.
So if I don’t talk about our love, don’t think I’ve
forgotten or changed my mind about you because
I know I won’t, and you do too. Yes?
Bevvy, I hope the need never arises but if you
do run into any difficulty please let me know about
it and don’t hesitate because you may be afraid
that I’ll worry.
You can be sure that I’m taking care of myself
to insure coming back O.K. As for the women out
here – you're waiting and so am I. Guess there are
plenty of single fellows around to take care of
them.
It has been a long time (though no fault of
yours) since I’ve heard from you but I’m being
patient ‘cause I realize I’ll be amply rewarded
when the mail finally reaches me.
Please take good care of yourself and I’ll
be seeing you before you know it.
Your loving husband
Hal
P.S. Please let me know if you get this letter.
Hal
Fri Oct. 29, 1943
Dearest Wifey -
I’m going around singing “No Letter Today--” Hope
you're doing better than I. Glad I’ve got some patience
left.
Was in Belfast yesterday and what a hectic time!
To start with, six of us got a ride on a large flat
back truck. No railing on walls, just a metal
stripe around the edge. You can imagine the
scramble when he went around the curve
and centrifugal force went to work.
We went to the Red Cross building to get
information about lodgings, sights, messages
etc. and then walked around awhile. The
city was just teeming with people all of
whom seemed in a hurry to go places. I saw
cars that ran on gas (vapor). The gas is kept
in a huge bag on top of the roof and as the
car is used the bag settles. At first glance it
appears that the cars have huge mattresses on
top. It looks something like this -
They seem to be just as efficient as the ordinary
type.
Stopped back at the ARC building and got a
haircut. The only type given back here are G.I.
so I decided that the only place to get one was
in town.
There are quite a few recreation facilities offered.
[page II]
There’s swimming from 9AM to 9PM, gym from 9
till 11, library including victrola and lounge
containing piano. Golf clubs can be borrowed
for 24 hours, and bicycles are free. There’s a
nice canteen and serve 3 meals daily and light
snacks the rest of the time. There are dorms
where you get a bed and 4 blankets for 1s/6d
(1 shilling, six pence - $.30).
I rode in a train compartment. Unlike a coach
this has two seats facing each other and
running from one side to the other. There is
a door at each end. Six people can sit on each
seat but it’s more comfortable with five.
There are other differences between our trains and
these. Coal cars and freight cars are smaller. The
former being one third the size of ours and having
only four wheels. However the reason for their
size is that they are easier to handle and can
be more speedily dispatched. The same applies
to cars and other vehicles.
Belfast has quite a few large department
stores, one especially that covers 2 blocks.
They also have a Woolworth’s and many many
other smaller stores which have modern
fronts and attractive window displays.
However it was difficult to really see
much because it was so dark.
[page III]
Tell Stan, when and if you see him, that if
he ever gets near Belfast that he should let me
know and perhaps I can meet him at the A.R.C.
Oh, forgot to mention that I got off at the
wrong stop last night and had to walk an
extra 3 miles or so. The boys are still laughing.
The exercise was good tho.
I’m managing all right with the money I
had but I’ll be glad when pay day rolls
around.
Did you have the the wedding band fixed with
guards? I hope you have.
I’m C Q [at Hq.] to-night so I’ll have more
to write then.
If anything important happens you can
cable me - (Cpl Harold Cohen 32776683
[Amachur] Charming)
That’s the entire address, don’t add organization
or APO. Western Union is the best bet.
So long for now. Regards to everyone.
As ever
Hal
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Contributor
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Silver, Gavin
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Coverage
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World War II
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Creator
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Harold Cohen
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Date
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1943-10-29
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Format
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Written Document
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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Keene State College
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extracted text
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