"Dear Mother" Letter
Files
Title
"Dear Mother" Letter
Subject
Hines, Joseph M. (1923-1969)
Toms Brook (Va)
World War (1939-1945)
Description
Letter to "Dear Mother" from Joseph M. Hines. It was sent from Parris Island Marine Barracks where Joseph was a Marine recruit. The letter is addressed to "Mrs. D.D. Hines" which was Joseph's mother Mary.
Creator
Joseph M. Hines
Source
Folder 1.2: Letters to Duval and Mary Hines from Joseph Hines, Parris Island South Carolina, December 1941-December 1942, Joseph M. Hines Collection, 1941-1945, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia, USA.
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
December 7, 1942
Contributor
Susan Hines
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
Text
Envelope:
PVT. J.M. Hines
U.S.M.C. Parris Island
S.C.
Mrs. D.D. Hines
Toms Brook Va
PVT. J.M. Hines
U.S.M.C. Parris Island
S.C.
Mrs. D.D. Hines
Toms Brook Va
Letter:
I am out of boot camp now and in the band if I passed the audition. Well I couldn’t write for about a week because you’re not allowed when you ship out. I moved about ½ miles into some swell barracks. Well I got the boxes and thanks Millions. I’ll get paid again the 20th and try to send the $10 then, if you can pay him and I’ll pay you. I get off every night now and every weekend but no can get home. If I can get a 72 hr. leave I’ll try and get home after Christmas. No chance of getting there Christmas. I won’t get to buy very expensive Christmas presents but I’ll send a few, just family and a few friends. Send me the dates of all family birthdays. You know my memory on those things. I had even forgotten my own, til cards started coming. I went to Savannah over the weekend-- didn’t touch a drop either. This Marine Corps. sure is a swell outfit when you’re out of boot camp. I haven’t been issued a clarinet yet. It may be a few weeks before I am. I had written Wallace a letter which he evidently didn’t get so I’ll answer again today. The reason I can’t send that $10 now is because I spent about $15 bucks) for shoes, belt, cap, emblems which we need but aren’t issued during War Time. Tell Sid congratulations and her card arrived about 4 days ago. Well so long till next time Love to all Joe
P.S Dad I’m still waiting for that letter.
I am out of boot camp now and in the band if I passed the audition. Well I couldn’t write for about a week because you’re not allowed when you ship out. I moved about ½ miles into some swell barracks. Well I got the boxes and thanks Millions. I’ll get paid again the 20th and try to send the $10 then, if you can pay him and I’ll pay you. I get off every night now and every weekend but no can get home. If I can get a 72 hr. leave I’ll try and get home after Christmas. No chance of getting there Christmas. I won’t get to buy very expensive Christmas presents but I’ll send a few, just family and a few friends. Send me the dates of all family birthdays. You know my memory on those things. I had even forgotten my own, til cards started coming. I went to Savannah over the weekend-- didn’t touch a drop either. This Marine Corps. sure is a swell outfit when you’re out of boot camp. I haven’t been issued a clarinet yet. It may be a few weeks before I am. I had written Wallace a letter which he evidently didn’t get so I’ll answer again today. The reason I can’t send that $10 now is because I spent about $15 bucks) for shoes, belt, cap, emblems which we need but aren’t issued during War Time. Tell Sid congratulations and her card arrived about 4 days ago. Well so long till next time Love to all Joe
P.S Dad I’m still waiting for that letter.
Original Format
Envelope and Letter (2 pages)
Collection
Citation
Joseph M. Hines
, “"Dear Mother" Letter,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed January 13, 2026, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/11594.
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