1630

Aug 13, 1945 at sea - 2150

Dear Mother:

We have been getting reports all evening, and each hour they come faster but there is nothing official as yet. The feeling here though is that it will be official by morning. The radio said that the folks back home have gone mad. The service men are taking New York apart. It must be great. There won't be any wild parties here though. Some of the newer men may celebrate but I think I can speak for the older boys and say a prayer of thanks and a thought of the boys so close to us who died will be our only celebration.

It is wonderful that the end is so close or even here but to go around raising hell when everyone who started out to finish it is not here is something else. Some of the finest people I ever hope to know were lost

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practically before my eyes. To be happy now, would I think be like laughing at their funeral. Someday when I come home I'll tell you all about these boys, and what some of them meant to me.

We had some other good news a few days ago. The Marine Corps is setting up a discharge system similar to the Army's. We don't know just when it will go into effect or how many points we will need but it is a start. Right now I am not sure just how many points I have. It is either one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty. This should be enough to get me out very easily but we don't want to go getting all excited as yet. By 'we' I mean you and I. I'll let you know more about it when I find out but until then don't jump to any conclussions.

I hope everything is sitll going well at home and that the news of peace will bring relief and comfort to all of you. Give my best to Anna, Mike, Al and especially

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my favorite grandfather. Tell him we will have a little home coming celebrating someday soon. Just he and I.

The first part of this letter you may not fully understand at this time but you may someday. It is very difficult for me to express my feeling right now.

I am enclosing an article about the ship. It may be in the papers now, I don't know.

I'll write very soon. Good-nite and God bless you.

Your loving son Georgie

T Collins 2. 10 Bell Hop . 50 Drinks (Tap) 1. 00 Riding 4. 00 golf & soda 1. 00 Breakfast Sun 1. 50 Dinners 4. 50 19. 10 drinks . 95 Dance Boosters 1. 00 Breakfast Mon 1. 25 Fruit . 45 Golf & Soda . 70 2 / 34. 67 17. 34