Ludlowville, N. Y.

Jan 11, 1942

Service Men and Women from Lansing Township;

All over the world.

Dear Friend;

Those who are sending this letter to you all are increasing in number. The postage on this one is paid by Mrs. Hall who has taught school in Lansing Township for a good many years. Others who have made or are making contribution of time, money or information are countless. The Student Association of the Lud. H.S. are adding their bit, too. Mrs. Haring and I continue to serve. When you folks come back you can thank all those who helped. Right now we are so deeply indebted to you that we cannot express it in words. You are filling our place, and we can only fight this war from our homes and our jobs. But we are with you. A very small percentage of the folks at home are doing any kicking at all no matter where the pinch comes but there are a few who cannot see the need for some of our sacrifices. They selfishly wish to win the war by doing everything they did before the war and more, too, because they have increased spending power. But, thank the Lord, they are few and far between. I know because I have been working with the Rationing Program and if there are any kicks, I guess I hear them.

To let you know what is going on here at home : we have been stopped in the Eastern States from using our cars for pleasure, at all. Among the present rationed articles are coffee, typewriters, stoves, rubber boots, as well as gasoline, fuel oil, tires, and cars. To be added are canned and bottled fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, etc. But there are a lot of things we can still get. And we are not in any sense in need.

Ross Sweet was married the other night. (Lt. to you). (Another Looey is Lloyd Nobles. He was home two or three weeks ago.) Ross married Alice Lisdell. Wm. Bardo (Used to be Billy to me) was commissioned 2nd Lt. Army Air Force and was married the same day to Eisa Barbara Kurtz of Ocean City, N.J. Congratulations boys and best wishes girls.

Robert L. Daball has been promoted to Cpl. He has been stationed at Fort Eustis, Va. and at Poughkeepsie; now he is at Newport, R.I. Battery H, 207 Coast Artillery, Anti-Aircraft.

Lake Road Community specializes in "brother acts" in the armed services. Topping the list are James and Steve Listar in the Navy and Julius Listar in the army. Others are Stephen and John Sebastian and Richcard and Raymond Teeter in the Army and Joe Lucas in the Navy.

Would you like the addresses of the Teeter boys? Pvt. Richard Teeter; 65th Med. Regt., Co. F. T.56, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.; Pvt. Taymond Teeter, Co.E., 56th. Armored Inf., APO, Camp Campbell, Ky.

Don Bush was home on a furlough recently. He is out in Missouri now. Our addresses change so fast that we have difficulty keeping track of our boys. Write your folks to tell us where you are.

The winter has been so cold and gas is so scarce we don't seem to get the news as we should. We seem to know only what goes on here at Ludlowville. Lorraine Sweazey[2] broke her leg while riding down the Cemetery Hill. The ice has been good for skating and sliding has been great. The lake has frozen over more than past McKinney's so fishing through the ice will begin soon.

We had a blackout last month and it sure was a fizzle. The International Salt turned off their lights for only 10 minutes, the street lights at Ludowlowville were never turned off, the fire siren at South Lansing refused to operate. It was sure a flop. Maybe you can get a laugh of it but we couldn't. We are expecting another any night now. If we get it I hope you'll be squeezing for a successful one for us. Thanks.

We are continually getting word through the papers of your successes. On every front war is going along fine. I suppose there are daily setbacks seem big to you when we get the whole picture it will seem like one glorious victory. At least, that is what we are wishing, hoping, praying for. Every Sunday in church here at Ludlowville prayers are said that you may guarded and guided in this war and that God will be with you wherever you are. I am sure, as you are, but the same is true at the Catholic Church. Father Geiger would never let you down. We all feel that you are our Christian defenders and that without our nation Christianity would be lost. Someone has said "There are no atheists in foxholes" and I guess there are fewer non believers in religion here at home than there were. Did you read of the conscientious objectors who volunteered to be guinea pigs for typhus and some of the other fatal war diseases? Their conscience would not permit them to take other men's lives but they would give their own for the soldiers if they could. Something the same mental position is held by those who are working at Defense jobs. They are trying to serve here at home.

The draft has been blowing here at home and some of our leading citizens have been caught in it. Nate Kullman took his screening test last week. Bob Stout and Don Palmer have enlisted in the Navy and leave next Monday. Maurice Worsell, Dave Doria and several others have gone to camp. Conditions change so fast we have a hard time keeping up with it. I sent you in the last letter a list of addresses. I suppose most of them are changed now. We will try to get a new list ready as soon as the changes are brought to our attention.

Ludlowville High School and South Lansing School both had no sessions yesterday and today because of heating difficulties. The motor on the blower at the High School burned out and had to be replaced. At South Lansing someone forgot to see how much oil was in the tank and they ran out. Had to get a delivery and that takes time these days.

We have run into a slight shortage of coal here due to a strike at some coal mines. There are many of us to feel that the workmen have no right to strike if you can't. They should be forced to work just as much as the selective service men. That applies as much to miners and to defense workers but I suppose the strikers wouldn't agree with me. Some coal is coming through however and I suppose the strike will be settled soon. It may be that was the only way to straighten it out.

I welcome your letters and Christmas cards. We have a chance to check your address and also to see that you get the material we send. We sent our whole list of names to the Christmas Fund for the county and we found that there were several who are not on the county list through some oversight. If you can think of any way we can serve you more faithfully or efficiently let us know. Our list 1s well over 100 now with the new man coming into the service. But the letter will go to everyone whose address we can find.

This is one of my boys in the service sent me. The family had just come home from church. Dad said "mighty poor sermon, the preacher must be slipping, have to get a new one I guess". Mother said, "Seems to as if the congregation was smaller than usual and they did not seem to be the best class of people either." Sister said, "The choir was terrible and we need a new organist". Johnny piped up and said, "I guess it was good a show as you can expect for a nickel". How do you like that?

Sincerely Susan Haring

Sincerely Clayton H. Birch

Sincerely all the Lansing Township Stay-at-homes.