As today is Aggie Muster I thought I would share a letter dated March 17, 1945 from my Dad to my Mom regarding an "Aggie Meeting" somewhere in Germany. My sister and I found over 400 letters from Dad to Mom written while he was overseas in Europe. We had no idea they existed! He was overseas 18 months with no leave, departed the states in Sept. 1944, returned April 1946. I found out this morning that the Dad of one of my classmates was also at this event! Blanco Smith, was same class as my Dad, Class of '37
Somewhere in Germany (It happened to be Krefeld)
Sunday, March 18, 1945
My dearest Sweetheart,
Well, the Aggie meeting last night was quite a successful and joyful affair, and I really did enjoy it. Ken, Peyton. Bob and I went together. It was held in what used to be a ritzy German nightclub and refreshments were served consisting of cold cuts and beer. Had an orchestra from one of the outfits that supplied the music and it was quite good. I was surprised at the number that attended, there being in the neighborhood of a hundred present. Never knew that there were that many around.
We got there about 8:00 and the first two people I saw were Ken Mills and Joe Robinson. We spent an entire evening together and really had an enjoyable time. "Woody" Varner was also one of the first ones to arrive. I'll list below the boys I ran into I knew.
Major "Blanco" Smith- he used to play baseball-finished when I did ('37)
Lt. Pete Watkins-high jump star-you should know him form the athletic office
Lt. Pete Fry
Capt. Doug Watson-from Waco and was in my battery-my room orderly my senior year
Lt. Dickinson-Waco
Col. McCrory -also one of my class and in the regular army-not bad, eh?
Lt. Blohm
Capt. ***an
Capt. Russell -from Temple
Major Poole
Capt. Elliott-a guy who was in school with Pete -from Temple
Lt. Ware - from Bryan
Lt. Smith -from Bryan
Lt. Smith -from close to Paris, tX
Lt. Morehead-who went to Paris, France when I did
Lt. Billingsley
Lt. Gulley
And, of course, Bodie Price and Ken Franke whom I work with
There were numerous old timers there with ranks of Colonel and one named Wakefiled-kinned to General Wakefield from Madisonville.
Pictures were taken of the entire group so before long they should appear in the Texas Aggie. Ken and I are next to each other. Will probably be quite a while but we must get one of them. We also got a little souvenir and will send it as soon as possible.
As I said we had quite an enjoyable evening-just shooting the breeze-and it started breaking up around 11:00 and we came on in.
Ken Mills and Joe said to be sure and send you their regards. Both said that Ethel and Nita were doing fine. Plans were made to have another meeting in April and I hope by that time this mess will be over with.
I haven't done anything today of interest. Got my long coat pressed and it really looks good. Am expecting some mail tonight since they say quite a bit came in this afternoon. Sure hope so.
Bye for this time, Sweetheart. Be sweet and remember, Darling, I love you with all my heart.
Always and forever,
Cat
My Dad served in field artillery for the 102nd Infantry Division, The Ozarks Division.