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Dearest Mother and Daddy," Well, I hardly know where to start, after all that has happened in the past 18 hours. Last night at 9:00 we got news that Japan had surrendered. Of course we learned later that they were ready to sign a peace treaty, providing that we would let them keep their emperor.
Everybody was celebrating last night. It was the most wonderful sight you've ever seen. All of the ships in the harbor sent up all sorts of flares and fireworks. The whistles were blowing, sirens screaming and everyone shouting because the war is over. It seemed like something we've hoped and prayed for for so long, and then when peace came, no one knew exactly what to do. I didn't know whether to sit down and cry, or stand up and shout, or just what to do. The first thing I thought of was ""I wonder what the folks back home are doing tonight." Then the next thing I thought was ""Thank God Louis won't have to come over here"" I wonder if he is at home there with you all now?
The patients just went wild on the wards. I thought they were going to tear the place up. But I just let them go. I figured what the heck- they deserve to celebrate- all these kids that were out there and shot by those d----- Japs.
I received your letter to-day, written 1 Aug. telling about Uncle Roy. I'm glad he's doing alright.
I've just finished supper, so now I'll get back to my letter-writing. There's not much news other than the war, and that's the highlight of everything.
President Truman is supposed to make a speech to-night. I don't know what time, but I sure want to hear him to hear if they have really signed the peace treaty." I've been getting letters from Louis about every other day, and that keeps up my morale more than anything else in the world. It's so wonderful to hear from him again- after 6 long months. It's too bad about Nancy Dayvantt's husband. When I hear about people like that, I realize how fortunate I am that my darling came back to me safe and sound.
Well, I guess this is all for now. I want to listen to the news. We have a news broadcast direct from the States- San Francisco- every day at 6 P.M. I'll be writing again in a couple of days- when there is PEACE over the whole world.
