Excerpts from Ben Felson’s Letters to Virginia During WWII
Collected by Steve Felson
6/6/44, England: “My sweet, I don’t believe I told you the whole story about my getting into an overseas outfit. At this safe distance, I think I can tell you, especially when you must realize how fortunate I am in not being in Walt’s shoes, and that I would eventually have gone anyhow. Well, it seems that I sent a letter to the Surgeon General’s office and to the Chief Consultant in Radiology in the US Army requesting removal from the pool – unassigned physicians — and transfer to an overseas outfit. Within 2 weeks my orders came thru. I think this is more than coincidence. Anyhow, darling, I couldn’t help it, so forgive me.”
5/16/44: I’d suggest you pack things a little more carefully. Most of the juice leaked out of the herring, the salami was covered with mold and wet with herring juice, and the record miraculously survived damage. Most packages get pretty well-battered.
7/31/45: “I received your letter today in which you bemoaned the fact that the kids didn’t behave, that you lost your temper with them, that they didn’t compare favorably with Ros’ children – Judy & Elaine — that you didn’t want any more, etc. In the next breath you talk about going here, there, and the other place with and without them. I think you go gallivanting around too much. Stay home more, and only go out when Sel is around or when the kids have gone to bed. That’s your part of the bargain, dear.”
1/11/44, England: “Went to a free movie: Greer Garson and yes! Ronald Colman (maybe I oughtn’t mention him in my letters if I’m to retain your love) in Random Harvest [a 1942 amnesia-based love story]…. I would have liked to hold your hand during this romantic movie, sweetheart. I’ll bet you would have cried your heart out.” “Oh, my love, I wish you were going thru this with me. With your adventurous and romantic spirit added to mine, I know how much we’d enjoy it together.”
2/18/44, England: “As to my viewpoint on dating: One gets pretty fed up with male compan-ionship and likes to talk to and go out with a pretty girl from time to time. I do this without the least pang of conscience. Before I ask one to go out, I inform her that I am a loyal husband and father. I find little hesitation on the part of the various nurses and can’t blame them since it is hell sitting around waiting for one of the few single officers (about 6 in all, 3 of whom are tied up). There are about 105 nurses in all, you know. I have no objection to your doing the same, my love; just don’t fall for anyone else in doing so. Well, what do you think of my viewpoint?”
2/23/44, England: “Don’t worry about being a poor housewife, dear. In the first place you aren’t bad and remember, you’ve other attributes. As for being a poor mother, that’s so much tripe as I pointed in my letter of yesterday. This letter will probably reach you on a day when you are not feeling in a self-reproaching mood and the above will sound rather unnecessary. You will wonder what you had written in your letter that made me want to perk you up and chuckle and say, isn’t he silly.” 3/5/44, England: “This beautiful Sunday A.M. I am sitting before the fireplace listening to the New World Symphony on the wireless, relaxed and at peace with the world. Just finished breakfast including 2 fresh eggs, my first since leaving the States, tea and toast. And now, in pajamas, robe, and slippers, I sit writing this letter to you. Gosh, I wish you were here to enjoy these things with me. I ask so little of life–why must it be denied me? When I get home, sweetheart, I want all my Sunday mornings to be like this. I’ll play with the kids, hold your hand, and listen to records or radio. Our motto will be “Damn the dishes–this is Sunday morning.”
4/13/44, England: “The cookies were wonderful! I’m sorry I didn’t mention that I liked them. I must confess that I thought Soph had made them and not you! This is really a compliment, my sweet, as you know what I think of Soph’s cooking.”
6/4/44, England, 2 days before D-Day: “Here are answers to some of your questions.
- I received the pickled herring-salami pkg, while I was writing the letter complaining about no packages.
- What’s this undue interest in Harry Schwartz?
- I haven’t received any coconut cookies yet.
- The stone in the soldier’s appendix was not operated, but on re-examination I decided myself that it wasn’t in the appendix, and consequently lost a 2 shilling bet.
- British coins — American equivalent
- We operate on double-summer time. It is daylight until after 11 PM!
- Army time starts at 0000 – midnight and runs straight thru to 2359 (1 min. to midnight).
- 6 PM = 1800 hrs.
6/25/44: “I haven’t seen the movie, Watch on [the]Rhine [1943 Bette Davis tear-jerker] but can just imagine your reaction to it. I wish my shoulder had been there for you to cry on. I, too, am glad we met so young. It’s been ever so wonderful to “grow-up” together. However, I feel it was luck more than judgment which made us choose each other. I look forward to many beautiful years together with our family (and more children).
6/4/44: “What about all these doctors–are you getting neurotic again? First the dentist, then the chiropodist, then the otologist (ear doctor), now the orthopedist for your back. I guess you’ll get a quick cure when I arrive home, won’t you honey? I know that I’ll be cured of all my ailments.
The Felson Family 