MS 1048 - Donald F. Rodawig Papers Transcripts (July 4 - 19 1944)
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| Title | MS 1048 - Donald F. Rodawig Papers Transcripts (July 4 - 19 1944) |
|---|---|
July 4, 19447/4/44 Dear Mary, Your letter of the 21st arrived today. It is too bad about Alice's father but since his condition was incurable perhaps death comes as a blessing to him. It was nice that Don and you made your appearance at their home and the strawberries was a very nice gift to take them. With so much rain I cant understand why the strawberries haven't done better. Velma Lyons marriage at the church and the reception following in the church parlor seems a little out of place to me since not may of the quests are church goers. We have been quite busy at the hospital again, resuming some of our station Hospital work in addition to our war casualties and most every nite some emergency comes in that requires a surgeon to be present. I have sent 3 crosses a rosary and a chest medal that had been blessed by the Pope to Hattie so I imagine she will be pleased. A nice letter from the folks today. Love Roddy
7/6/44 Dear Don Your job sounds very interesting and besides this is very profitable to you. You know that 66 ¢ per hour isn't hay. Have you saved any of your money? John Wells wrote me a nice letter which arrived yesterday and he seemed very pleased with your basket ball game last winter. You should really have a banner of a year this winter. How did your birthday party turn out? Why don't you send me a snap shot of Nancy and you? It would appear that you have a nice bunch in high school now and should have a lot of fun. How many nites a week do you have a date? I sure would like to have you start this combined College and M.D. course which can be completed in 5 years that is now offered at all universities. I have written mother yesterday about this. I feel that you could serve your country in this capacity as well as in uniform - I want you to make the most of your opportunities. With Love Dad [snapshot included of Donald Rodawig Sr. standing in front of bridge]
7/8/44 Dearest Son Hows things going at the farm old man? When do you think your chickens will be ready for sale? What do you feed them besides oats and corn? I surely would like to be with you and help you with some of your chores. Theres about everything you could want to have a good time out on the lake so you don't go to town very much do you? Received two nice letters from enlisted men I met while a patient at the 23rd Gen Hospital today. One from Stanley Katula age 18 who lost his leg near Cassino last winter and John Katula received a nerve injury to his right hand from a shrapnel wound. They are both in general hospitals back in the states and they tell me they have received the best treatment possible back there and all rave about the good food served them Boys like this are entitled to every consideration and it is a pleasure to work with them. Good wishes to you and Bill and keep every thing in order at the farm. Lots of Love, Dad.
7/11/44 My Dearest Mary Another quiet uneventful day. Spent the morning making rounds and took one patient with a fractured skull to a general hospital which is acting as a neurological center. Cases that are sent back to rear echelon hospitals are triangled which means that certain hospitals specialize in certain kinds of cases. Our hospital is the maxillo facial center and all patients with head wounds come here for treatment. Because of the multiplicity of wounds however this plan cannot be followed too accurately. We like to go around and visit other installations to keep up in all branches. This afternoon we visited a large airfield and was in a big Liberator place. The chief mechanic took us through the ship and explained to us to mechanism - The air force has surely done a great job in this war. I am afraid that too few of us realize just how much work and preparation is needed for each raid that we hear is executed while reading our morning papers. 19 months for us tomorrow, the clock is surely running fast Haven't received much mail from you of late - I know you are busy Love Roddy
7/15/44 Dearest Mary Your letter of July 1st arrived today and was glad to receive it. You have evidently made quite some progress with farm payments again and should be able to finish it all this summer. Have Carlsons completed payments on the house mortgage? You have done exceptionally well in a financial way and are well on the way to financial independence. Much better than I ever could have done and besides you have not had to worry about having an old broken down, decrepit husband around. It isn't every one who can have the privilege of getting grid of a poor deal for two or more years just like in John Webbs letter he mentioned all the old men around home are getting grayer but still retain the fire in the furnace. Ahem! Glad that all is going well at home - write when you have the time - We are much busier now! Love Roddy
Dearest Mary Today is our 18th wedding anniversary, that is a long time. You have done a marvelous job with the children in my absence and have assumed all the responsibility of our family both from an educational and financial standpoint. I have hated terribly to place all this responsibility on you for most assuredly it takes two to solve all the problems that comes up in a family of our size. It is my sincere hope that you remain in good health to complete the task you have started. May I say today, Good Luck and best Wishes! I had two rather pleasant surprises yesterday - Father Rush of the 93rd Evacuation hospital stopped in the hospital during the afternoon for a rather pleasant visit. He is still the same ruddy faced handsome prematurely grey priest. He enjoys his work very much and apparently is well liked. Last evening Hugh came over for a 2 or 3 day visit on his way back to the 114th Station Hospital to await new orders for another assignment - He hopes for an evacuation Hospital or field position. We had a nice visit & his family are all well - his oldest son Bland is now in the navy. Good Luck and Best Wishes Roddy
7/19/44 Dearest Mary Received your letters of July 5 and 6th and as glad to know that you received the letters describing my Rome trip. Were they censored? It was a strange coincidence that you have also heard the same news that some high school boys are being accepted in universities for a combined college and M.D. degree that I had written about in a previous letter. I would certainly be thrilled if Don could be accepted If he has to take a competitive examination trip to familiarize him with a few Army type intelligent quotient examination I am sure that he will have no trouble! Your allotment payments are now correct. I just hardly cant understand how people at home can be carrying on with big dances, 4th of July celebrations, and using black market gasoline etc when there is so much at stake over here. The point of view of our boys over here is so divergent from the people at home. I rather fear the consequences. So many of the men who have been home on rotation have mentioned this and are so glad to get back over here. They feel uncomfortable at home knowing how much there is to be done over here. After so long a tenure the Army spirit finally gets into your blood I have seen boys who have been wounded in action three times ask to go back for more. They tell us there is a big score to settle. Devotedly Roddy |