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Noone needs to be reminded of the fifth anniversary of Eileen’s death. In her honor we’re publishing this "V letter" from her to Francis during World War II. A V letter was the speedy – in this case 11 days – way of getting mail via airplane to the troops. Apparently the handwritten letter would be photographed on a roll with other letters, flown to England, and printed there. (Fifty-two years later, we get our first family letter from Francis and Eileen’s youngest submitted from Europe via E mail!)
| From:
Mrs. F. M. Schmitt 609 W. 3rd Street Flint 3, Mich October 23, 1944 |
To:
Capt. F. M. Schmitt D. C. 0397214 114th General Hospital APO 121 A % Postmaster New York, N.Y. |
Just finished a long letter to your folks.
No mail today except a certificate of notification that Tom’s birth certificate has been filed at Raleigh. They really are fast down there, aren’t they? We’ll probably get our Income Tax refund in a couple of years. One of the girls downstairs got hers today and her name begins with "N" so there still is hope for us. They got everything spelled right and information all correct at Raleigh though so that’s something.
Made a batch of fudge for Ev after I got Tommy tucked in tonight. She’s an awful beggar but she wanted some and it’s not hard to make so I’ll send her a pan full by Russell tomorrow. He’s going to take Tommy and I into the country in the morning for fresh eggs, etc. He sees Ev every day when he takes Kathleen to school.
Today is important. Little flutterings have started inside – right on schedule so now it seems real. Tomorrow starts the fifth month too.
Goodnight darling,
Love, Eileen