Letter #430808

Brantford, Canada, Sunday August 8, 1943

Dearest Sweetheart; Received your letter Saturday morning and the only solution I can come to you regarding the allowance you received is that it represents the amount due you for July. The uneven amount is due to the seven days leave I took, which I didn’t get paid for so it is also deducted from your allowance. Also, you do not get any money from my salary the first month. That is why I drew such a big pay last week.

Today I am hut orderly, which means that I have to sweep up the hut and keep things neat and tidy. It also means that I can’t leave the hut all day, except for meals and then I eat early so I will be back by the time the rest of the fellows are ready to go. So I will have plenty of time for washing, and sitting on the steps in front of the hut in the sun, thinking of my peach-pie, which I do all the time anyway.

Yesterday afternoon was bright and sunny, and we played ball over in the fairgrounds. Most of the fellows went to town last night. But there is always a few who remain in camp, including me, so we just sat around and listened to the radio.

We had shredded wheat and oranges for breakfast today which is quite a treat. The gang have just come back from church parade and are sitting around on their bunks writing letters and polishing their boots. A rummy game is just starting up at the other end of the hut, but they play too steep for me.

While we were scrubbing the hut out yesterday, one of the kids was carrying a tub of hot water with lye in it when he slipped and fell into it. He got a nasty burn all down one arm and one foot. He will be in the hospital for a week.

Well precious I guess that’s all the news I can think of at present. Write and let me know what the hospitalization people had to say. Wish your mother a happy birthday for me and I am sure she would like the present you were giving her. I think we are getting a short weekend next week, but will let you know for sure later. You will have to excuse the writing as I have a magazine propped up on my knees, which I am using for a desk. I also borrowed a pencil and it is 4B.

Your husband who misses you. XXXX Horgie XXXX

I LOVE YOU 

Reflection. Shit happens. Some poor kid signed up to fight for the Four Freedoms and ended up in the hospital with chemical burns while in basic training. It is a hard lesson to learn—to go slow and be mindful of every part of the job. 

Sometimes I feel rushed by others to go faster. But I quickly make mistakes. assess the risk by getting the facts. I am responsible for the consequences of my actions. Best for me to slow down and go at my pace. I gotta take time to listen to Harry Hannah’s “Slow it Down” while working on slowing down. 

Need some Harry Hannah in your life? Ask your Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, YouTube or other streaming media to play shuffle songs by Harry Hannah.