Transcription of Document FFDoc-0700.pdf

"D-Day" 6 Jun 44

Dear Mother & Dad:

It's really come, hasn't it - the day we've waited & waited for - the beginning of the end, please God. And it leaves me feeling absolutely chilled - as though in the face of anything so big & so awful my piddling little thoughts are stupid and futile. It's all had a sobering effect on everybody - everyone, on the radio, in papers, etc, realizing the only thing we can do now is pray - at long last, most of us, I think, are on the verge of tears & it's not too difficult to imagine why: the tension is over & we finally know we can start to hope., it's really the first step on the long road home., the sober knowledge that so many, who are paving the road home for us will never get there., & that already, in the past 12 hours, boys who have trained & waited for months & years, have already died. It's so cruel that they'll never see what they've accomplished or know how much they're thanked & loved for it. And you know how lucky we are - Fran still here, Joe over & back, Alfred K in the ground crew, & Jimmie on shore duty.

So get down to everyday - first, I hope a slight delay in my account won't inconvenience you, Mom. Both Mary & Nancy missed payday so I shelled out $30 - but you can count on the $$ after supplementary pay on June 15. And I guess we'll have to forget the shoes - can't afford. Am almost afraid I'll have to skip Ronny & Betty.

Incidentally, Nancy has finished her training. I doubt she'll be up our way but have given her our phone & address & an invitation for a beer at 244 if she gets north anytime in the future. She's hard to describe - quiet & reticent - but a wonderful gal & I hope you meet her.

That WAC clipping made my blood boil. If you ever hear any damn fool agitating for the WAC age limit to be lowered to 18 I hope you'll get on your soap-box against it. It's now 20 & even that is really scraping the bottom. It's no bunk that adolescent years are fairly difficult ones in adjustment. And the A is certainly no place to try & make that adjustment & subjecting a girl to the rigid discipline & training, new life, disappointments, boredom, etc. It can't be done without damage someplace. And if ever I hear of your signing any age waver for Ronny I shall know you're out of your mind. It's bad enough that the boys must meet those problems. Let's save something to build on after the war!

If ever you have Tommy D's letter from Fran I'd like a copy. It must be good. What did Tommy finally decide to do?

Have neglected the boys in the past week or so. We're really cooking down here now & don't often feel like doing anything.

All day have imagined Pop plastered up against the radio & wishing I could be there to discuss war moves with him.

No more news or gripes so good night & 30!

Love & [extra] prayers - Dot