Somewhere in France, January 1945

My father, Thomas R. Shay, was a citizen-soldier in World War II. I have a box of the letters he sent home to his family in Denver -- his father Ray, a World War I veteran; Florence, also a WWI vet; and his younger sister, Pat. The letters are written on the thin paper all GIs used, not exactly onionskin but pretty close. It saved postage, as thousands of soldiers sent letters every day to the States. My father wrote on a letter-sized sheet of paper, folded in half. My guess is that he folded the paper, unfolded it, wrote on the right side of the page, and then continued on the left. He then folded it like a book. He didn't write on the reverse side of the pages because the ink would bleed through and the text would be unreadable. If he wanted to write a longer letter, he just used another sheet of thin paper.

Here's a letter from radio technician Shay, U.S. Army Signal Corps, written when he was 21:

January 29, 1945
France

Dear Mother, Dad, and Pat --

I received another package this evening. It wasn't a Christmas package though it was mailed sometime in November. It contained cheese, salami, crackers, and fudge. I sure did enjoy the magazine about Colorado. Everything was in fine shape and very good. Thanks a lot. Don't worry about anything spoiling; nothing could spoil in this cold weather. I sure don't see how the fellows up front can keep warm. I sure am thankful I have a warm tent. Life isn't so easy or pleasant, but it sure could be a lot worse. There is one thing I would like to mention. When I come home, please don't give me any spam, corned beef, or stew. By the time I get out of the Army, I will have had enough to last me the rest of my life. The last couple of days we have been having real potatoes. Before we had dehydrated potatoes. All of our vegetables are dehydrated, but most of them are pretty good. Potatoes aren't worth a damn, though.

Did I tell you I read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"? I thought it was real good. How did you like "The Robe"? I thought it was about the best book I had ever read. Is Pat going to send me a list of my books? I sure would like to have one.

I haven't changed my mind about going back to school. I am more determined than ever. Don't worry about me marrying any French girl. I haven't even seen a girl for the past two months.

I think the war will be over soon, that is some time this spring. I sure would like to know what is going to happen to me then. There are three things possible. I will stay here, go to the Pacific, or come home. I sure hope it is the last one.

Well I guess that is all for now. Thanks again for the package. By the way, Mother, the rest of the fellows in the tent said your fudge was very good and thanks.

Love to all,
Tom