Clifford to Folks

Mar. 15*, 1944  *aproximate date          1650          CF          Service Men’s Club Seattle, WA Clifford writes home he is in Seatle on a 3-day pass; went to an all-night show; went to a Jewish private men’s club with a friend; and talked to a Canadian cadet but doesn’t like that English accent.

Mar. 9*, 1944 *aproximate date          1620          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford is kinda’ slow writing the Folks but can’t find the time; been having a lot of all day hikes; hears the bombers are opening up on Berlin and guesses his brother is in the middle of it; got the picture of Winfred and his crew; is listening to Gabriel Heather now; not much to write about so is going to write his gal; and is getting the news they send.

Mar. 4, 1944                     1570      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he got a letter from them today and yes, he has been hearing from them often and likes it; not much to write about from there; don’t worry, when he moves it will still be in the States; today, it’s a nice, beautiful day there but when the weather is bad it’s the worst.

Mar. 3, 1944 (aprox)                      1560      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he had a pretty good time on his pass last week; asks about the post office; says it’s another rainy day; was on guard again last night; won’t be there much longer; asks what his dad thinks of the Barkley-Roosevelt feud; thinks the war will be over soon; and signs off telling them not to worry about him.

Feb. 28, 1944                    1530      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford promises the Folks he will write more often; has been eating out of Mess Kits; guesses Winfred is giving the Nazis heck; comments on Winfred’s censor’s comment; hopes for a few pics – Winfred & crew, Patsy Ann, & Mom – Dad – Patsy together (like the other soldiers have).

EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition to the journal entry made on Feb. 25, 1944, Winfred wrote a letter home to the Folks. No mention was made of the bombing mission he was on that morning. Clifford also sent home a letter. Feb. 25, 1944 (2)                             1520      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford scribbles a letter home after receiving his vaccine to prevent yellow fever; hasn’t heard from them for a few days; has a cold; comments on the F.D.R/Barkley feud; had chicken today; asks if Margaret has visited lately – she doesn’t write often; still waiting to be shipped out – probably to California; asks about his friends – Bob Merrill and Rolla; and promise to write his sister Patsy Ann.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 21, 1944. Winfred wrote one letter to his Folks and one letter to his sister Margaret; Clifford also wrote a letter home to the Folks. Feb. 21, 1944 (3)                             1470      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford writes the Folks saying he got three letters from Staff Sgt. Winfred today; is getting along with his gal; will do better writing them; is sure tired of that place; still awaiting transfer orders; and one of the soldiers there was sentence to 10 years for going AWOL (Absent WithOut Leave).

Jan. 30, 1944                    1230      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford writes the Folks; everything is about the same, he’s okay; describes going through the ‘filtration course’ again; is relieved of guard duty and will probably leave there soon.  Tell Patsy Ann “Hello”.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home to the Folks on Jan. 28, 1944; one by Winfred, and one by Clifford. Jan. 28, 1944 (2)              1210      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford got a letter from Winfred; it did not say much. Cliff will be leaving soon but not overseas – doubts he could pass the overseas physical; is sending a box of stuff home; and comments on the newspaper clipping with him and Winfred in it.

Jan. 24, 1944             1180             CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford lets the Folks know he is okay, but busy; things there are popping; will likely be moved soon; asks about Winfred; has only heard from him once since going across; brags he is going to show the boys how to play pool on the Battery’ table tonight.