Thanksgiving sans turkey.

Nov 26, 1942

My Darling Wife.

Today was thanksgiving sans turkey. This morning Lt McBride and I left early for town and attended the solemn high mass at the Cathedral. A large number of French & American officers & men plus a capacity of civilians filled the Cathedral. The Catholic ceremony was impressive but meaningless to us. For one hour we stood up and sat down every few minutes. The entire proceedings were in Latin so everyone was in the dark.

After the mass, the French & Americans held a parade and our boys looked very good. Our band was well applauded by the populace and it gave us a grand feeling to salute “Old Glory” as it moved down the street.

At noon Lt. McBride & I went to the principal Hotel and had lunch at the officers mess. It was very good. About 50% of the officers were American nurses who have arrived and look very nice in their natty blue uniforms. A drink of cognac at the bar cost us 30 francs. At that rate the bottle of cognac I bought the other day for $1.25 would be worth about $12.50. They are really holding us up. The cognac I got is much like whiskey—Martell’s Three Star—supposed to be the equal of Hennessy’s Three Star. If you [invite?] any liquor drinkers they will appreciate my purchase. I’m saving it until a real cold day.

When the stores opened at 2 P.M. we purchased stationery—how do you like it. I also bought a bottle of Quink so I’ll be able to write for some time. We stopped (in the rain) in a sidewalk cafe and had a cup of coffee. Later we got some pretty good beer for about 2¢ per glass in one of the Dept. stores. At the same time we had our pictures taken in one of those 5 pictures for a dime machines—only they cost 8¢ over here. I am enclosing the pictures so you will know what I look like on this date. They didn’t turn out too bad did they?.

The dope today is that another boat came in—this one with some packages & mail on it. They tell us there will be no mail for us until Saturday. When it does come in I hope there will be some for me. Apparently I got all of my mail that came in on the last boat.

It has rained and been very cold for the last two days. My winter underwear has come in handy. Now they tell us that there is a good chance that we will be moved and out into the open too ([new site?]). We’re hoping against hope that we get to remain in this [winery?].

Today the company bought beer for the men. It is very cheap and the beer is better than water to drink because it has been purified. I guess I’ll have to get started pretty soon on my quart bottle.

I looked all over town today for something for you and Linda without any luck. They have lots of things I was tempted to buy—and would have bought if I knew your size. I saw a very chic jacket for about $50.00 but it looked a little too large. Perfume has been sold out. I hope the stuff I sent you is good. They …

… wouldn’t let us smell it. We just grabbed all we could as long as the girl said it was good. They have lots of very colorful sandals for sale—with wooden soles, and some very fancy dress slippers—for evening dress. They also had a good looking fur coat for $100.00 you would like but my cash is low—and I still wouldn’t be able to mail it. They have all sorts of gaudy bracelets and souvenirs for sale, but the only ones I liked [illegible] were too big to mail. They have some beautiful tea sets—and cocktail sets.

I think about you an awful lot honey—and try to picture what you are doing.—and what Linda is doing. About this time she should be having lunch.—7 P.M. here [6 P.M.?] Greenwich time. I wish I were coming home from the office for lunch now at our new home. I love you honey and I’m going to really show it when I get home again.

As I’m running out of gab, I’ll close and see you again tomorrow night when I’ll try to write again.

All my love
Your
John.