Left to right: Clarence Bessey (Alva’s father), baby in arms is “Baldy” (sister Pearl’s son Clarence), Aunt Hattie (Clarence’s sister), Ethel Bessey (mother), Dorothy (sister), Jim (brother), and Meredith (sister) in front
April 12, 1943
8:00 P.M. Mon.
Dear Folks:
Well I got a letter from Ma today. I also got one from Pug today. You tell Pug that I was going to send her my picture. I wrote her a letter and now I can’t remember if I put the picture in or not. If I didn’t, give her one of those you have. I don’t care what you do with the rest of them. I thought Murell might like the other big one.
Say did you have to pay 12 cents extra postage for them too? Is that correct that Murell may have to go in the army? If he does, I wonder if he can still get that commission as a 1st Lieut. If he can he will have a pretty good deal. I’m really working my head off with only a small chance of getting to be a 2nd Lieut. But he did his work back there in college.
Yesterday we went on the range and shot the sub-machine guns. Today we had instruction in .45 pistols, tearing them apart etc. We will shoot them soon too.
We aren’t so busy as I thought we would be but that P.T. is just about a good day’s work in itself.
Tell Pug that sure I would like a picture of baldy but a small one would be better. If you folks and the kids ever get some snapshots of yourselves, well send them down. If you don’t, I’m liable to forget what you look like. Pug says Jim is growing up fast. Keep it up Jim boy. And Dort is driving alone, my my. I suppose that you, Meredith, are still a pest. Are you? How’s those boyfriends of yours coming?
Well Ma and Dad, take care of yourselves. I can’t think of much to say. It is really hot down here now. I hope I’m not here next July. Whew!
Say Dort have you backed into the Studebaker very many times lately?
Have you got the tractor working okay?
Well so long,
Alva
P.S. I feel just fine but I find it hard to get up in the morning. I seem sort of tired. We all do. But we have P.T. at 8:00 and that loosens us up. And how!
Ancestors Across the Ages 