Tag: ephemera

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Out Where the West Begins [1942, Utah]

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Marress - 1942 Utah image lg

Lloyd Marress WII Postcard Series (#1 of 5)

August 1942

Here we find Pvt. “Buddy” Marress in Utah, Summer of 1942. I wonder how well he knows Gladys Bell. The wording is familiar, but a bit stiff.

I have to say, as an East coast native myself, I don’t care too much for the poem over-idealizing “the West” with such saccharine poetry. Oh well.

Info about Kearns Air Base, constructed near Salt Lake City during WWII.

Marress - 1942 Utah message lg

Wed-Nite

I’m so glad the Dr. thought you were doing fine. You’ll be a big girl, if you keep going. I enjoyed the letter from Mrs. Bell a lot. I’ll write more next time. I’m studying hard, as usual.

I love you, Buddy

To:

  • Gladys Bell
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • Pvt. Lloyd Marress
  • Army Air base Salt Lake City

Postmark: Salt Lake City, Utah – Aug 1942

“Buy Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps” No postage: Military Mail

Image: Out Where the West Begins poem.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Sgt. Marress [1943 – Topeka, Kansas]

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Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#3 of 5)

August 1943

This time we find Buddy, a Sergeant now, writing to his wife in Tennessee. He most likely was serving with the 21st Bombardment Wing which was located in Topeka, Kansas as of May 1943 (Wikipedia). The primary function of Buddy’s unit was “processing heavy bombardment crews and aircraft for overseas movement, and then processing men returning from overseas, from 1942–1946.” He seems to be staying stateside for the war, so perhaps he was an aircraft mechanic or other tradesman prepping bombers for overseas deployment.

I wonder if this postcard was provided for free by the United Service Organization (USO). I’m not sure what else “U.S.O.” could possibly stand for in this context.

Link: History of the Topeka Airport (aka Topeka Army Airfield in 1943).

Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka message lg

Saturday Evening

Darling,

I’m staying on the base tonite, as I said I will. I didn’t work this aft. got caught up on my work, at last.

I hope you’re feeling alright, s–[?] the old medicine made you sick.

I’ll go now, but[?] will be back tomorrow.

Forever yours, Buddy

To:

  • Mrs. L. H. Marress
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • Sgt. L.H. Marress
  • 21st Sq. (S)
  • Topeka, Kansas

Postmark: Aug 29, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas

Image: “From Topeka Kansas U.S.O” John Morrell & Co. Meat packing Promo Postcard featuring Kansas Jayhawk

Other postcards from Buddy Marress

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Postcards, United States

For Mother’s Day, One More Happy Golden Ray

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Mother's Poem Postcard - Rochester 1910s

My parents gave me this antique card to add to my collection. It’s a sweet poem from mother to daughter. The content of the writing indicates that there is distance between them, but since it has no address or postmark, perhaps it was sent in an envelope.

The words seem like they would be a song, but a quick google search didn’t reveal any musical source. Thus I will assume that it is the original work of Esther’s mother. She seems like a lovely lady and a charming poet.

Today, on Mother’s Day, I hope you have a chance to thank the mother figures in your life for adding their own light to the sunshine in your life.

Mother's Poem Postcard message - Rochester 1910s

Dear Esther,

When your letter comes
If when I’m feeling blue
Comes a letter Straight from you
Blues all fade in just a minute
Ever I know what’s in it
If it comes when I am glad,
It cannot fail to add
[To] the sunshine of the day
One more happy golden ray.

Mother

Approximate year: 1910s, based on ink style, fonts, and printing.

North America, Postcards, United States

Sugar Cane Harvest [1956 – Cuba, via Miami]

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1956 Cuba image lg

This one comes from a period of great upheaval in Cuba, but the sugar cane still needed to be harvested.

1956 Cuba message lg

Havana – Jan 20th

The sugar-cane harvest begins this week. We saw the carts being loaded as we drove from Matauzas this morning.

Love,

Grandmother

They cut with machetes. Gram

To:

  • David B. Stewart
  • 909 Woodmont Blvd.
  • Nashville, Tenn.

Postmark: Miami, Fla. – Jan 21, 1956 – Fight infant paralysis Join March of Dimes

Front image: Cutting sugar cane. Habana. Corte de Caña