December 24, 1943: “I’ll say a prayer for the best little family in the world.”

24 December 1943

Dearest little Mother,

Just a short time ago we finished with morning (9 A.M.) sick call. I have had indications that today might be a very busy one so thought I’d better get off your daily letter early.

Tonight is Xmas eve and I can just see you hanging up a little pair of stockings by the chimney with care. What are you giving Mike for Xmas dear? Pretty hard to think of things for a little tyke like that isn’t it? Gosh I’d certainly like to be with you tonight. I will in spirit anyway, especially when I am in church tonight. I’ll say a prayer for the best little family in the world.

Enough of this sentimental stuff. Dad never mentioned the letter that you got first then forwarded it to him. I guess you must have crossed your address out so good that he never knew the difference. I think it strange that you still haven’t mentioned about the money I wanted you to give to your mother and Dorothy for Xmas. Perhaps you are waiting to tell me about it after you have given it to them. I hope that’s it! As I said before, I wish I could give them more.

I am glad that you really don’t care what anyone things about the pictures — please send them; anymore will always be appreciated. The large pictures still haven’t arrived. However, I have a strange premonition that they may come in today’s mail. We are supposed to get some mail today. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It would sure make my Xmas more complete.

Say, Sugar-lips, you didn’t mention much about the money I sent you like you usually do. What I am referring to — is how you spent it, etc. Not that it makes any difference how you spend it, sweet-heart, just as you have a little fun. When you do have some fun I like to hear about it. However, you did give an accurate account on how you have [?] the money. Truthfully (now don’t get hot), I get a bang out of how you keep mentioning the fact that it’s “your” money. I quote: “I put most of it in Postal Savings, but ‘my’ savings are spread out.” More power to you, honey, and I’m proud of “my” little saver. But — dear — can’t you sort of put it in a little more of a “community” language? Ha! Don’t burn now, wife, just sizzle a bit. Remember, what’s yours is half mine. Maybe you’d rather not have it that way! What’s mine is half yours, too, remember! We are still partners, aren’t we? I know that you probably don’t mean it the way it sounded. Gosh, I have to have something to write about. So, please be at ease.

I wasn’t really razzin you about you your cooking, not seriously anyway. What you do know how to cook you cook exceedingly well. That’s exactly why I was wondering if you are making noble efforts to expand your knowledge. Remember, sweetheart, you have the same bad luck of getting a man that considers himself quite a connoisseur of good food. I must admit that I’m rather out of practice since I’ve been in foreign service.

Your suggestion about staying at your sister’s house is noble but I’m inclined to also agree with the statement that you made later on in the same letter — that it would be much nicer for us to be entirely alone. Oh, baby, hon I do want to be alone with you. Don’t worry, I’ll woo you to death. 

Guess I’d better close for now and get back to work. 

All my love from your Daddy — with the “hot pants”

Love to Rebecca!
Did you ever get your new [?]

— — —

Mailed by Albert R. Kohnen, to his wife who was living in Eau Claire, WI. Kohnen was part of the 813rd Engineer Battalion. According to the military.com website, “The 813th Engineer Battalion was constituted 17 November 1941 in the Regular Army as 813th Engineer Battalion, Aviation. Activated 15 December 1941 at McCord Field, Washington. Departed the San Francisco Port of Embarkation on 1 May 1942 and arrived in Alaska on 8 May 1942. Returned to Washington State; Redesignated 27 August 1944 as the 813th Engineer Aviation Battalion. Departed the Seattle Port of Embarkation on 25 April 1945 and landed in the Territory of Hawaii on 5 May 1945. Moved to Guam on 13 June 1945 and Okinawa on 5 July 1945. The unit was on Okinawa at the end of World War II (15 August 1945 location).”