Last Letter to Lily Pooks
This is the last letter Lt. Lawrence Michael Fitzpatrick wrote to his wife - who years later would become my mother - before he was killed in action in France in the wee hours of February 16, 1945.
Some parts are so poignant to me. Larry talks about whether their children will have curly hair... evidently they'd already planned to name their son "Dennis Michael"... Larry's nickname for his wife: "Lily Pooks"... and note all the foul-mouthed language that our movies about WWII today so accurately depict.
A sentence of foreboding at the end. "Work to do tonight so I have to prepare." Lt. Fitzpatrick would die only hours later, before this letter was even mailed...
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#17
15 Feb 45
Alsace.
My darling,
I surely wish I had the time to answer all your letters. You ask ever so many questions which I want to answer but I just can't do it. Theres so many things which have to be done that a day is gone before you know it and lately I've been darn busy on a few other details which I have to do but which don't interest me at all.
Rec'd your #122 & 125 last night. That new song "You're never lonely when you love only one" must be very nice. The words are certainly grand and the sentiment is perfect. Sort of fits us to a T darling doesn't it? They'll never write a song which will express how much I love you though because that would destroy the illusion I have about you & me. Golly gee I wish I could tell you but its just within me and words can't say I love you and give that feeling the meaning it should have.
Yes, you can do what you think best with the allotment money. I'll even concede and say you can pay 1/2 your traffic fines with the allotment, but the other half with your hard earned money. That's a concession which I shouldn't make but being as how Shasta has wandering ideas since I drove her last I'll attribute them to me - but for goodness sake don't run into any telephone poles on Olympic Blvd. I'm sending most of my remaining money to the Bank for deposit- keeping only a small checking acct.
No I didn't receive the pictures you sent and still only 2 Xmas Packages. Doggone.
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Had a nice letter from your mom. She writes the nicest letters. I surely am crazy about your folks Lily Pooks, they're mighty swell.
So now you're an Asst. Secretary. I'll probably have to salute you when I get home. Gosh all I do is dream about stepping in the door or having you meet me at the Airport. What a day that'll be darling. You'll wear Something Purple that day won't you. Please. Oh shucks I don't care if you don't wear a thing I just want to be with you - but you'd be the prettiest picture on earth. I'll leave that up to you - and I bet any aspiring photographer who sees you will demand a picture.
Am still near Duke but I don't see him very often except when we need supplies and I have to cajole him into doing "G" Co a good turn.
I want you to meet Lt. Osborne. What a kick in the britches he is. When your letters don't arrive I find consolation talking to "airborne" as he's fondly called.
Too bad about Tom Walker. He was one of my dearest friends Lillian and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for me. His loss will be felt by many for there were several families whom Tom kept on their feet, which no one knew about. He did so many favors for me I could never have repaid him. I'll write Frank soon and express my deep regrets about his son-in-law also.
You wish you had Curly hair and quote "Maybe my daughter will"! Now let's see - if Dennis Michael arrives first he'll probably have it - our daughter may. Then again maybe not. I wish I could give mine to you. Look when I
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don't comb it some days I grow [sic] thru mild torture when I finally do give it a combing.
We didn't have Services Ash Wednesday; things are too rough at times to permit Services. Will talk to Padre Maloney as soon as I get a chance. Some night I'll go back to Regt. and see if he's up.
Still eating delicious rabbit and goose dinners. A lot of them get killed by scrapnel [sic] and are no good to the people.
I've Spring Fever darling Honest Injun! The Sun is bee oo tiful today. Oh me alas my loved one is far from hyar. Grrr. I hate war! Yes I do.
Did you send that check to the Army Navy Club in DC? I surely hope you have rec'd the letter as I don't have the address.
Rec'd letter from Doris. She told me about Tom and I just dropped him a V-Mail. Hope he receives it as I'd like to hear from him. Has Jim Wade written "you all"? Also Cal. I haven't heard from him in a long while.
Now my letter must finish. Work to do tonight so I have to prepare. Quite a long letter for me, don't you think. Wish they could all be this long.
I love you darling and pray every night God will bring us together soon.
I'm yours always,
your husband
Larry Mike
