Here it is the beginning of a new week and for most Americans it is a day free from work to celebrate Memorial Day. In light of this special military-related day, I want to share a December 1944 letter that the Oscar Ostroms received from Sgt. Leonard Ramlo. Sgt. Ramlo was Oscar and Anna' next door neighbor who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. It is a letter written on a V-Mail form that the military provided for service personnel to use when sending correspondence to non-military people during World War II. I have very little in the way of military related items, and thought this would be of interest to show to those who have never seen a V-Mail letter.
I am transcribing this letter in observance of Amanuensis Monday which is a weekly blog theme that was started by John Newmark, the author of TransylvanianDutch blog. John defines Amanuensis as "A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." I also appreciate the good work and format examples of San Diego genealogist Randy Seaver of the blog Genea-musings. Thanks guys.
I have learned over time that I have a tendency to "skim" over a record or document; a bad trait for a researcher who needs to learn even the smallest details documented records contain. Transcribing helps me to slow down and "smell the roses."
The V-Mail form was created so the needed information for moving mail from point A to point B was complete. Notice the censor's stamp and signature in the top-left-hand area and the equally censored "address" in the right top area; where all military mail from Europe was directed through New York City. I will show the letter's handwritten portion in italics. The printed portion of the form I'll leave as regular font.
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| IMAGE: V-Mail letter sent to Oscar and Anna Ostrom from Sgt. Leonard Ramlo in December, 1944. From the family collection of Edwin J. Ostrom. |
-------- transcription begins --------
Print the complete address in plain letters in the panel below, and your return address in the space provided on the right. Use typewriter, dark ink or dark pencil. Faint or small writing is not suitable for photographing.
[Handstamped]
PASSED BY
U 11473 S
ARMY EXAMINER
[handwritten across stamp]
??Neterandy Wa
TO:
Mr. Oscar Ostrom
Route 1,
Woodburn, Oregon
SEE INSTRUCTION NO. 2
FROM:
37568083
Sgt. Leonard Ramlo
Hq. Sq. BADA-ASC-USSTAF
APO 635, PM NYC NY
England 12 Dec 1944
(Sender's complete address above.)
Dear Folks,
[handstamped] 13 DEC 1944
Merry Christmas; Happy New Year
Your Christmas gift of stationery has found me. Thanks. It seems strange to use V mail to thank for air mail stationary, but under my circumstances, it’s the best at present. Xmas rush etc. has stopped air mail for the time being.
Last Sunday a few of us in the Nissen hut [similar to a Quonset hut] in which I live, got together and made some wooden toys for an orphanage home close by. Using 5-ply materials - wood from crates in which supplies were shipped - and a tool kit loaned to us by the Red Cross, we really turned out the goods so to speak. Painting the toys last night, put the finishing touches on them - making them look very nice. Painted toys over here just has NOT been since the war started, which was back in the days of the ’40 for Britain. Orphanages over here are neglected to a marked degree. Candy etc. from our numerous packages, was pooled together & it too will be given to them. Kids seem to remember and appreciate a good deed for years - maybe we could take a lesson from them.
Last Sunday a few of us in the Nissen hut [similar to a Quonset hut] in which I live, got together and made some wooden toys for an orphanage home close by. Using 5-ply materials - wood from crates in which supplies were shipped - and a tool kit loaned to us by the Red Cross, we really turned out the goods so to speak. Painting the toys last night, put the finishing touches on them - making them look very nice. Painted toys over here just has NOT been since the war started, which was back in the days of the ’40 for Britain. Orphanages over here are neglected to a marked degree. Candy etc. from our numerous packages, was pooled together & it too will be given to them. Kids seem to remember and appreciate a good deed for years - maybe we could take a lesson from them.
Thanking YOU - Leonard
HAVE YOU FILLED IN COMPLETE ADDRESS AT TOP?
REPLY BY V MAIL
HAVE YOU FILLED IN COMPLETE ADDRESS AT TOP?
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE | 1943 16-98143-S
--------transcription ends --------
A little more about Leonard R. Ramlo. He was born on 3 March 1923 in Houston, Minnesota and in the 1930s he moved to Oregon with his parents and siblings. Leonard died on 10 May 2008 in Woodburn, Oregon. He is buried at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, USA in Plot Section KK, Site 2326. His grave marker inscription includes his rank as SSGT US ARMY AIR FORCES, WWII. Leonard was a bachelor and long-time usher at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Woodburn, Oregon. After his military service, Leonard returned to Woodburn and continued to live on his parent's farm; it bordered the Oscar Ostrom's west property line.
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