July 19, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France - 19

July 19, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Another eight days have gone by and I have not touched pen or paper during that time, so decided to finally put my mind to a few lines this afternoon.

During the past week I visited Marseille once and as usual came home quite tired as you know how I walk once I get started.  I visited the Cathedral there and was really quite impressed by it.  It stands atop a hill overlooking the entire city and the bay.  A person can se everything from the front portice.  Inside is some of the most beautiful mosaic work I have ever seen.  Most of it done with gold and silver with the other colors inlaid.  After the cathedral I went to the theater to see Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in “No Love”.  I did not think much of it.

The statue of Mary and child which is many feet high and weighs 5-6 ton atop the church is one of the most beautiful things I have yet seen.  It is all gold gilded and may be seen for a good many miles in all directions.  On a close bright day the statue glitters in the sunlight.

Receiving a letter from Jay telling me of a great triumph the dinner was etc, etc, but was very amused to hear your version of it.  I certainly do not envy you on such parties.

Sorry to hear of you having more trouble with the Buick after getting it from the shop.  Hope you are able to get it in good shape again.

Yes I can well imagine the neighbors and the garden which they will have in that run down place.  It has never had any real good care and it will take some time before they get any real results.  I am very much afraid that the neighborhood is going to the dogs.

Has Richard Miner said what he was going to do upon his return to the Air corps? They may keep him right there n the states somewhere.

Have received your letters 30 and 31.  The latter was received yesterday in very good time.

Was glad to hear that Dad had a nice birthday.  I had wanted to get him something but I am in no place here for that.

While in town I got some French “Greeting cards of no great value, but they are something to have for people o their birthdays etc.  Well have to get a couple off for Marshall and Joseph, or at least ready to mail, since I very likely will not have the chance when their birthday comes around.

It must seem very strange for you to have children around the age of Virdens.  It very likely does you a lot of good tho.

Glad to know what you think of Marshall and wife.  I rather suspected by reading between the lines of his last letter that all was not well.  George always said Marshall needed someone to cheer him up so maybe he now has his wish.  I sincerely hope Marshall will be happy and will not regret his marriage.  He may have decided that him being alone was no good so he may have decided to get married in a hurry.  He never liked to be alone.

I can just see you in the kitchen canning cherries, apricots etc just as you used to do.  Why don’t you low down a little?

I mailed a package yesterday containing some books.  One of which is a book of prints which Olson gave me.  The others are some children’s books which you can put away for me except for three of them which are inscribed on the inside of front cover to Jon.  I want you to take the prices off them and sometime while out that way take them in.  I think there is one large and two small ones for him. Then there is some picture postcards for my collection.

The weather here has been very hot and as always a lot of dust blowing around.  I wish we would have a real downpour.

Glad to hear of the painting arriving in goo shape, but have begun to wonder what has happened to parachute silk and jackets which were sent some time before.

Quite surprised to hear of you all being invited to Richard Miners wedding.  Really must be quite an affair.  Where are they going to live?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to again restock the rabbits and start again.  Better results perhaps would be had.

The combs, watch band etc were all in good shape and the olive spread was very good on some crackers Ryan had one evening.

The fuchsia very likely got too much water or not enough or some borer got into the stock.

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you mention.

http://images-02.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/103/958/545_001.jpg

Col. MacIntyre is no longer with us and I hear that he is on his way home at the hospital he was at is being dissolved.  So all Good Luck to him for he deserves it.  A lot of the others have also gone and the group is not the same.

Well all for this time and I hope you are all in good health and do enjoy yourselves when you can.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

Enclosed one (1) postcard of chateau d’If

June 4, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Wiedenbruck, Germany  -  14

June 4, 1945

Dearest Mother :

After another short trip from Bielefeld to here at headquarters which took place on the 31, I will write a few lines this evening.  I wrote an unnumbered letter the day of my departure, since I had already packed my things.

I seem to be missing one of your letters, a number 18.  I have your letters 19, 20, 21 and 22 which I received today.

The other day I mailed home the water color I previously mentioned.  I mailed it between two sheets of plywood with the balance of the portrait pictures.  One of them on the sand colored paper is for you.  Some of them are awful.  The boys on Sgt Ryan X-Ray team made them for me .  Also mailed home was a box containing all my winter clothes with sleeping bag liners (sheeting) etc.  Also enclosed were some pictures you can put away for me.  There is a roll or two of developed film which if you want any of you can have made for yourself.  There is also another roll which is marked and you can have one print made of each for me.

In regards to me being heavier.  I my be some, especially after my recent life of luxury.

The porcelain I am glad to hear of reaching home.

The shoes were bought shortly before leaving San Antonio, and have only been worn over here in Paris.  I like them very much.

The porcelain came from a once beautiful collection.

Yes the Lantana was certainly a mess and I often had a mind to remove it but never did.  I would like very much to have seen the Nile lily in bloom, even tho I have seen them before.  They are quite an attraction.  Did the flies bother them any?

Have here the card in an envelope telling me of the subscription to Readers Digest & Time (Pony Edition) as coming from Dad and yourself.  You really should not do these things for me.  You have already done so very much.

Last Sunday they had here for the first time in eight years the “Corpus Christi” celebration and ceremony in the churches.  A Catholic thing, and as always very elaborate and colorful.  With the bishop under a canopy carried by church dignitaries.  The altar boys in their costumes, the sisters and all the little girls dressed in pure white with garlands in their hair.  The people of the church fell into the procession behind.  Some of the robes and banners were certainly nice.  There was a path of flowers down the street and garlands overhead.  The houses along the way had each one constructed an individual altar on their doorsteps.  Something very new to me and worthwhile seeing.

You are certainly right about the mixed up relations a lot of people are going to have with the return home of the soldiers.  Most of them had no business ever getting married to begin with.

Don Finley is quite lucky to be able to go on to school for the Navy. But it may be indicative of a discharge any or none too soon.

You sending me the picture was alright, but I intended you one for yourself.  I can always send this one to someone.  The picture was taken of myself with my fur jacket while I was still at Neuhaldensleben up near Magdeburg in March or April.

From time to time I will write of things in the past which I think will be of interest to you.

Yes, our group may move on rather soon as you mentioned in letter 20.  But as to the shortage of some, I often wonder.  We could get along very well without all of our nurses tho.  They have been nothing but excess baggage and trouble ever since our departure from the US.  For the good some of them are the rest offsets it.

Aunt Dell tells me in the last letter that Gertrude is back from Florida, but has been none too well.

The Amaryllis would perhaps be better if repotted in a larger pot but no great hurry.  They quite often bloom a little better if pot bound.

Yes the news of the Prentice separation.  As you say “Big Shots”.  Was no great surprise to me.

I wish Jay would say something to me about not writing him.  I always make it a point to answer his letters quite soon.  I could very well drop him and spend all my time on other letters.  He has his nerve.

Very glad to hear of Mrs. Miner hearing of Richard.  She told me in her last letter that she worried so much about it at times that she could not be still.  All of them were marched around away from the Russians.

The Avocado tree perhaps is quite useless and should be replaced by something else of more value.  I always wanted a Jacaranda in the parkway in front.  Why don’t you get a good fruit tree or shade tree for the place behind garage.  Of course it is too late for bare root trees now.

Perhaps sooner than expected I may have the chance of seeing Nelson again.  Distances are not so great for us.

Thanks for the Air Mail stamps enclosed in some of your last letters.  Received the correct number according to each letter.

Find enclosed a couple stamps for my collection.

Hope this find you all well and hope you remain so.  My next letter will follow soon as I have the time.

All my Love,

Stanley

Also enclosed one fifty dollar ($50) money order

May 22, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany -  13

May 22, 1945

Dearest Mother

After such a long time the censorship has been lifted and the idea alone inspires me to write a few letters today.

From my room here, which is a corner room on the third floor of a German civilian hospital I can see for some distance in places where the trees do not restrict my view.  The sky is overcast and has been trying to rain but perhaps eventually the sun perhaps will shine.

Another sergeant and myself are the only ones here, and that is only for the military portion of the hospital of which they have 200.  Our business is merely the Allied Administration of POW Hospitals and the last place I was doing the same work only the major was with me.  He is now across town at another hospital.  I only make rounds with him once in a while.

My last station was at Bad Salzuflen, which is one of the very beautiful little towns in the famous resort center of Germany.  The Wehrmacht turned it into a hospital center before their defeat and we have taken over and are clearing out all the sick POWs.  Our house there was surrounded by beautiful gardens full of trees, shrubs and flowers. We have gardens here but we are more or less in a hotel.  We had maid service there for everything including the serving of the meal.  We have the same here. And the beds here are the real thing for comfort.

You will find our location not far off the Autobahn south of Hannover in case you have a map there.

The last place had hedges (artificial) constructed through which the run water slowly, and when the breezes blew thru them the air became cooled.  They had a great number of them all about 30 feet high in various places around the hospitals.

The town here is quite torn up since it was a German Army headquarters and hospitals or not they had to get the headquarters.

You mention Iris being in bloom in your letter No15.  Here in the resort place which I am (at) they have been originated here and are really beautiful.  You should also see the Rhododendrons which they have here.  Nurseries are quite abundant here.  Pansies are certainly beautiful in the large beds outside.

You perhaps can tell from the outward appearances of things that I am very happy at present, despite the enclosed clippings which I have always known would more than likely happen, as I have told you previously that I did not expect to get out for some time to come, so the news does not affect me too much.  The MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) number of 861 is mine and the 225 is Sgt Ryan since he is a male nurse.  The doctors are all worried now since they are declaring us essential.  Ha Ha!

Has Mrs. Miner heard anything of Richard yet?

Received a very nice letter from Howard Kiel the other day.  Also others received have been from Thelma, Aunt Dell, Jay, Miss Mosher and Joe.

In your letters 16 and 17 you at the time were expecting something to happen.  I often before then had heard of things happening but that type of thing always take time. Conditions here with the Displaced Personnel such as the Russians is becoming impossible in more ways than one.  But enough of this for now as the time will come when I can tell you more.

Glad to hear of you getting the chickens.  You should save the best rooster of the bunch and have your own source of chicks hereafter.

Muriel’s birthday has slipped upon me without me knowing it so it you think of something she wants within reason, will you get it for her as a present from me?

You need not worry about replacing the money too soon.  If you need it for other things, do not fail to use it for such, as I am in no need of it here and perhaps will not be for some time.  No need of caching bonds for cash as long as you have my money handy.  You have invested in them so get the full value from them.

I had a notion some time ago to ask you for Mrs. Ohashi’s address, only I thought it would seem rather strange to him if not an insult.  You get it for me and I may be able to use it some day in the administration of Japanese hospitals etc.  Would be rather interesting.

Well about all for now and thanks for the airmail stamps enclosed in two letters and I hope this reaches you in good health and that Dad is well recovered from the accident.

All my Love,

Stanley

 

November 14, 1943

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

November 14, 1943

My dearest Mother:

Last evening I took your advice and went into town and saw “Salute to the Marines” and I really enjoyed it and every one else that I know of seeing it said that they have really liked it.

I wonder the reason for the letter returning from Lloyd.  It seems funny that someone over there does not know where he has gone.

Yes the fire at McKinley must have been quite a display.  Miss Mosher told me of the change in name when I was home.  Might just as well since it is all black anyway.

Monstera Deliciosa -  by Milhafre

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolyh/2867608439/lightbox/

The clipping about the vine at Huntington Library was very interesting.  They do not bloom until very old and they very seldom and after blooming they have a very delicious large fruit that is when they get the name Monstera Deliciosa. They are a tropical vine of the Philodendron family.  The place (mortuary) on Manchester was just a new one also wasn’t it?  I think it was the one that they built while I was still home any bodies lost or anything of that type.

If Richard  Miner was an engineer he would be more than a Buck Sergeant.

The last few days here have been quite warm and today or rather yesterday it clouded up and then this morning it started to rain a little and then stopped.  But it is still trying very hard.  We have needed rain for quite a while and I hope it rains some more.

The German prisoners were signing again this morning.  They certainly have good voices and can sing in good unison together.

Well, yesterday my clerk in here finally went to school and that leaves me here on the P&T office alone but it will not be so bad for we have already sent 65 on Detached Service and there are more to come which of course will not hurt my feelings any.  Less work then. And next week I will be starting to work on a sand table for Major Grubin which will be fine and something difficult than this down here in the office.  I can do that part of the time when I am not busy in here.  This Major I have now is never here any more than to sign things once in a while and that is all he knows how to do anyway, so just as well he isn’t her to bother me in my work.

I just finished destroying some old records that we had here of people that have gone from the organization for one reason or another.  One of them made out a few checks which he did not have the funds to back so they put him (in) the hospital and finally gave him a Section eight Discharge (Mental disability discharge) and he was just as sane as I am.  One of the others had ulcers and a couple others were disliked by the 1st Sergeant and he managed to get rid of them and they were glad of it.

The other evening we had oysters for supper and they were really good so a few of them made pigs of themselves on them and were sick a couple days.  This afternoon I and a friend went into town for a seafood dinner and came home afterwards.

We had lobster which was very good.  I always enjoy going out and taking in a good meal and perhaps an entertainment on Sundays.

Tomorrow the Col. will return and the officers will then turn back and get busy again.  They have been lazy since he has been gone on his furlough the last few weeks.  And just try and get one of them down to business.  It is impossible for them to do it.  It gives me a great laugh all their front and the rest of their front ideas for behind it all they are never original and it is always someone else’s idea.  This one of mine always approves of all my ideas as they were his own.  He just can’t be bothered with thinking about thinking or bothering with anything that he might have to exert himself on.

The other night on bivouac someone tossed a smoke pot in where the officers were sleeping so the next morning they restricted everyone from the 1^st Sergeant down until the culprit or parties were found and finally a couple of them admitted it and they kept them here and let the rest go.  I can remember a while back on the last bivouac when a couple of the drunk officers thought it was funny to do the same to the enlisted men.

Well the night is getting older and I have some more work to do and will write again soon.

As always lots of love to you mother,

Your son

October 28, 1943

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

October 28, 1943

My dear Mother:

A whole week has gone since last I wrote you and I decided that since it was Saturday and the work is all done, anyway, as far as I am concerned for the week-end.  I spent the entire afternoon running around and working while everyone else got the afternoon off as usual on Saturday.

I received the box of cookies and candy today and I want to thank you for them.  From what I gather Muriel had something to do with it also. Thank her for me. And I shall have to write her very soon.

This morning we got up to a very cloudy and dismal looking atmosphere, but this afternoon it turned out quite nice and warm, and it was quite nice up on the post when I was riding around and everything was all the nice and new and bright colors of autumn, which of course is something new around here for a change.  The country around here is so very beautiful this time of year.  The other day we went out on a short one day excursion into the surrounding countryside where there are some very beautiful oaks and above all some very large and old Wild Pecan trees which are just beginning to shed the largest fruit of the year and we spent the largest part of our time out there hunting and knocking out of the trees, after which time we would sit down and crack and eat them and were they delicious and they certainly have a fresh and good flavor.  Those which have fallen on the ground are never any good for the squirrels or field mice and worms always get them first.

How have the Pea seed which I got for Dad doing or has he as yet planted any of them. They should be very good for this time of year.  Let me know how they are coming along.  Also how are the Cymbidiums coming along.  Did the new leaves ever come up where the one was broken out when I was home.

I suppose Richard Miner is really painting the town red while he is home. He very likely will spend very little time at home and they very likely see very little of him.

I was so glad upon receiving your Air Mail today to hear of how well Aunt Nina is getting along.  It would be awful for Uncle Bill to go real bad now along with the rest of the trouble that they have now.  I would really like to see them settle down and get a home of their own and take things easier.

Tomorrow I am planning on going to the post Chapel to hear some more organ music and a soloist of some kind which should be very good.

Have you as yet seen the pictures which were taken while out at Miss Mosher’s.  She said that she was going to send you some copies and I was just wondering.  They really turned out very good.

The other evening I did take time out to go to Mrs. Tedesco’s house and help them make some masks and mine turned out quite well.  Gladys is staying there with her now until she moves into her own home again.  You asked regarding Lt Tedesco’s grade.  He is a 1^st Lt and awaiting to become a Captain.  He is in the Chemical Warfare Service and is Chemical Officer for Tarran(?)t Field, at Fort Worth, Texas.

Yes, I received a very nice letter from Nelson and he writes quite nice letters.

Also while there she showed me the new additions to her set of silver (Sterling) which she recently got.  She now has a complete set for twelve and it is the “Chantilly” pattern which I think is very pretty.  Have you ever seen any of it?

Were the guavas (feijoa sellowiana) the same kind which I brought home from school a couple of times?  They always make very good jelly.

Well the news which I have has just about run out so will close for now and will write again very soon.

So good night for now.

As always,

Your son

Separate sheet inserted in the envelope:

Here is one of those separate sheets.  Your mentioning the letters of Florence.  As always she knows more than anyone else about someone else’s affairs and why she is told by her father is more than I can see.  He certainly puts up with a lot from his other two children.  And of course as you stated Marie and Leland buying an $8000 home.  Of course as you say they still have to keep up a front.  And I am beginning to think that he is just as bad as she is.

Maybe they can take care of Grandpa for awhile now and take him off your hands for awhile as well as some of their junk which you have had for years.  And when the git moved in you be sure and stop in for Sunday sinner a couple times and make sure you are very tired when dish washing time comes.

Of course she will very likely have to have a maid along with the rest of the things.  When they get through they will have quite an expensive affair out of it.  Well I could go on all night on this topic so will close.

What do you think of the Blue lining? 

October 24, 1943

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

October 24, 1943

My dear Mother:

Here it is again Sunday and I have accomplished not so very much other than washing of my head and the taking of a shower and I did get a letter written to Marshall which I have been wanting to get written for some time.  And I well get this one written and then will go to bed.  I also have read the large part and finish of a book so I have not fared so bad today.

Well the highlight of the week was that they have brought in the prisoners for the prison camp[1] below us here.  And let me tell you that they were not what I had expected to see.  I expected to see a last remnant or something of that type, but they were not.  They marched them from the upper post with an escort of 250 guards with machine guns etc.  They came in, in large blocks with guards all around each group.  They all carried their own barracks bags or foot lockers or what else they had without any help or any signs of overload. And they were walking as proud and straight as they must have done a long time ago in Berlin.  They all looked in the best of health and about 3/4ths of them I would be willing to say are not over eighteen years old.  Well anyway they all wear shorts and about three of them will run around doing work with on guard and while working they will talk German and the other day Sgt Ryan had occasion to have a couple of them talk to him in English so they are at least able to understand English.

While down there the other day I had occasion to be standing there while the Major General’s car pulled up on a tour of inspection and out he stepped and I had occasion to salute him.  Also a chance to talk with his chauffeur, while he was waiting for his return.  He said that he was quite nice to work for, but I have seen him when he was not so very nice and he can really carry on when he has a notion to do so.

Has Richard Miner gotten home yet or is he expecting too?  I am still planning on sending Ann the little pottery Piggy bank.  I think that she will like it.

I am also planning on sending Jon Matson one of them.  It seems that I never get around to do all the things that I plan on doing and getting done.

How is Aunt Nina getting along these days?  She should soon be able to go home from the hospital.  I can well understand how Bill[2] feels with everything a big mess around him and then Nina having this trouble.  Things are the same here and are not improving any.  They were all ready to go when I came back. But they are beginning to settle down now and adapt themselves to a nice long siege here and spending the winter here.  They are also beginning to think of sending some boys away to school for three months which of course may be recalled at any time.  So you see the set up here at the present time and very likely for some time to come, unless of course they, may at any time, change the organization and cut it down and send us as we are at the present time.  And I hope when they do the cutting that they exclude me and Sgt Ryan from it.  They could very well have us sent elsewhere that we would both enjoy and perhaps get a little farther ahead.

Tomorrow we are really going to have some fun out on our little hike.  The plans from the 88^th Division are going to fly over us and drop some small sacks of flour on us and see how we are going to be able to flee and hide without being hit and also to see how well they aim their little sacks of flour.

Well I had better begin thinking of closing now and getting on with my work since it is the next day and after lunch.  I have made this letter all one only writing it on two days.  I wonder if it will make any sense to you when you do read it.  The Service Station attendant (First Sgt) just blew in and out again in his big shot way seeing how many airs he could put on.  Well enough for now and as always take care of yourself.

Lot of love,

Stanley

---

[1] http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM31VV_Fort_Sam_Houston_POW_Camp

[2] W.A “Bill” Baker headed the Denver Tramway Corp and the onetime DS truck line, became president and CeO of TIMe-DC Inc, one of the US’s largest coast-to-coast motor carriers