29 Aug 1943, Parris Island, South Carolina

RESEARCH NOTES:

• SWAK was often written on letters, it meant "Sealed with a kiss."
• Edith FOLEY’s 48th birthday was August 22. 
• "Under the seven-week schedule, recruits spent three weeks in the recruit depot, two weeks at the range, and the rest of boot camp back at the depot. Through more efficient time management, the seven-week schedule was improved in 1942 and 1943 to add 25% more instruction in core subjects.” (Ref: http://www.ww2gyrene.org/boot_camp.htm) On this date, Bill had not done the rifle range yet.

22 Aug 1943, Parris Island, South Carolina

RESEARCH NOTES

William SIM was the eldest son of George SIM and Edna OTWELL of Buffalo, NY.  He was drafted into the Army in 1943 at age 18 and was soon assigned to the Marines.

Bill SIM, 1945

From the Collection of Delores S.

In August 1943, 19 year old cousin Dorothy was single and living with her parents on Potomac Avenue in Buffalo. She was the only child of George's sister Edith SIM-FOLEY and her husband Gene FOLEY. Dorothy was attending Buffalo State Teachers College and soon began “practice teaching”. By the end of the war, she obtained her teaching degree and taught Social Studies in Buffalo public schools. After the war, she continued with her career and married Ted KUMROW and they had 2 children.

Dorothy FOLEY

Photo curtesy of cousin Mary Ellen F.

Parris Island is a Marine recruit training depot that is still active today. “Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island” is an 8,095 acres military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately 5 miles south of Beaufort. From 1941 through 1945, the Marines trained 204,509 recruits there.

“Uncle Gene” was Edith SIM’s husband and Dorothy’s father Eli Eugene FOLEY.

Edith and Eli FOLEY

09 Dec 1937_part 2, Poland

Dear Uncle!

Few month from now will be two years when you were here and I didn’t write a one letter. I’m very sorry about that.

Here all is the same. Thanks to God everybody is in good health. Sometimes Mommy has some health problem but thankfully this happens rarely. I’m studying a lot now for my final high school exam in May. So when you come in June as I assume, I will be done and will be qualified as adult.

I’m curious if you are listening a radio station that is directed to polish emigrants in different countries.

I would be very happy if your sons would write to me about their life in school, about sports that they play. I may not be familiar with all the types of sports, because America is different than Europe.

This is all I have, sending you, aunt, Jasia and your sons much kisses and hugs and I will be awaiting your visit in the summer.

Wladek

NOTES:

• Wladek STOBIECKI was the nephew of John BINIEWSKI, son of John's sister Wtadestawa.
• Sadly, this is the last letter we have prior to the Nazi invasion of 1939.  We will have more letters from Poland after the war.  The next blog entry will begin our "Letters From Our Fathers" collection that was shared by email several years ago.

This letter is from the collection of Uncle Peter J. BINIEWSKI. 
Special thanks to cousin Dan B. for sharing this letter and to my friend Ela N. for translating it.