Bro. Thomas Albonesi is one of the fightingest of our fighting men and takes his Masonry seriously even while in the Army. His letter follows:
Ft. Bragg, N.C. Monticello Lodge No. 532
Christmas Day 1943
Dear Brother Maine,
It was with much pleasure that I received the lovely Christmas card you sent me from the Lodge. I only wish that I had the time to drop a line to each and everyone of the Brothers but my top kick has too much to say about any free time I get for me to do so. I just got up from the most wonderful Christmas dinner I have ever had or seen on a table. We had turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, carrots arid peas, oranges, apples, two kinds of pie; jello candy, cigarettes, grapes, HOT coffee (it is not always hot) bread, butter, redberry sauce, salads, nuts, rolls, and many more things I just can't think of. You poor civilians I feel sorry for you. Here we have no worry. They get us up in the morning, feed us three times a day, and put us to bed at night. The best part is that at the end of every month we get paid too. They even tell us what to wear and how and when to wear it. However, with it ap I do like much of my new life. We're learning many things, much more than I ever thought possible. I am in the Field Artillery, learning all about the 105 Howitzer, but that is only a small part of our training. We also have to know about the 30 and 50 caliber machine gun, truck driving and repair, mines, telephone and telegraph repair. Also my own little baby, a 30 caliber carbine which when out in the field I sleep with. I think a lot of my carbine as yesterday it was very good to me. We were shooting for record yesterday and I got 187 points out of 200. My Lieut. almost fell over watching the results I got on the 200 yd. target. P. S. So did I, as I am really not that good a shot. It must have been my carbine for she shoots very true. O yes, another thing they teach us -- making beds. We are going on a 5 day problem Monday. It has been dam cold and windy down here. We even have snow to sleep on. Let me wish at this time the new incoming officers the very best of luck and success, what I wouldn't give to be with you at the first meeting. I wish also to express my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each and everyone of you.
As ever,
Tom.
Bro. George Gregory is way down under where he is doing his bit with the U. S. Air Force.
January 15,1944 Dear Brothers:It's been a long time snce my last letter; but nevertheless I've been thinking of you all frequently. As you undoubtedly I know, I'm now in Australia and like it quite well. Although I'm stafioned in the jungle a million miles from nowhere, I've had the opportunity of attending meetings at Sydney, Brisbane, T?wnsville, and other places where I've visited. On my last visit to Sydney I was made an honorary member of the Masonic Club there. They have a beautiful 9 story building where Broth- ers from all over the world meet. They have 150 rooms for visiting Brothers besides a nice lounge, and dining hall. Although there are minor differences in their work from ours, both our aims and objectiv,es are the same. I attended a 3rd last week and found it almost identical except that they do not dramatize it The people of Australia have treated me swell and I feel right at home whenever I'm with them. J am enclosing a money order for my 1944 dues which I think is the correct amount. If not let me know. When I get back I'll have some interesting stories to tell you on our work here.
Fraternally yours,
Bro. George S. Gregory
Among other letters received from Brothers in the Armed Forces was one to the Secretary from Wor. Bro., now Major, Harold Stecher who writes from New Caledonia thanking the Brothers for their Christmas Card which he said he enjoyed a lot. Bro. Stecher stated that he had spent the holidays in traveling, Thanksgiving in New Zealand, Christmas in New Caledonia and New Year in Fiji. Stech says he's getting as bad as the sailors. Bro. Stecher also describes the jungles of that part of the world. He says the truth is not being stretched in the tall tales one hears of vines as thick as a man's thigh hanging from trees as tall as our California red woods and foliage so thick that you can't see five feet away. This one you can believe or not as you wish. He describes a barking frog which starts out like a puppy barking and ends up like Bro. Hill's old Duke! Bro. Stecher was quite enthusiastic of the USO shows and movies they have been seeing, some of them quite new, 'The Sparrow Falls,' 'Sahara,' 'Madamme Curie' and 'Those We Hail.' Stech ends his letter with regards to all and the hope that he'll soon be able to say hello in person.
FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS
Private Chauncey F. Benton writes from Greenland where he is stationed with the U. S. Signal Corps, "We are still in the $tages of getting settled at our new and permanent base, which is similar to any other Northern Army base. We are located on a Frord and I don't have to say anything about temperatures as YOU readly can guess how cold it is. We are seeing more and more of the sun each day. "Recreational facilities and food are quite good here for being so far north. There are no Masonic Clubs here at this base. However, at the base where I was a transient for a few months, some Masons got together every Monday night for a "bit of a social chat. "The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is very beautiful here. I haven't seen any Polar bears or live white foxes as yet but have seen some beautiful white fox furs. The foxes had been trapped by the natives (Eskimos). I bought a few Eskimo souvenirs and sent them home. It is cold here but not to an extreme where a good Army Parka (great coat) won't keep you warm. Perhaps I can say this because I do not go out ot doors for very long periods of time."
The Gavel: The Monthly Trestle Board of Monticello Lodge No. 532, F. & A. M., Vol. IV, No. 1, February 1944, p. 4
