During World War II, over 250,000 young men learned to read in Special Training Units in the Army. One of the resources used to teach reading was a newspaper, Our War, which was published monthly from June 1942 through September 1945. Each issue of Our War included a cartoon strip about Private Pete and his buddy, Daffy. The February, 1944 issue discussed Valentine’s Day. It has a message pertinent to today’s times and circumstances. Following is a synopsis of the strip:
Our War, February 1944, Private Pete: Cupid Goes to War
The strip opens with a panel showing Private Pete and his buddy Daffy standing outside the Post Exchange.
Daffy says, “Pete, I think I’ll buy some valentines, will you help me?” Pete says, “Well!! What’s up? Who is he?”
Daffy: “ I need one for Mary Lou. And that girl I met at the U. S.O. dance. And one for your mother, too.”
Later, Pete and Daffy get back to the Day Room where they see Joe making some valentines. Joe draws a picture of Cupid and Daffy says, “What’s cupid doing with the bow and arrow?” Pete says, “He shoots people full of love with his arrows.”
On Valentine’s Day, Pete and Daffy got a valentine from Pete’s Mom which said:
“Dear Pete and Daffy: Today we want to show our love for you, as you are showing your love for your Country. Think of us while you are eating my cookies and the fudge Sis made for you. – Mom”
Pete says: “Now that we’ve read Mom’s letter, how about reading yours from Mary Lou?”
Mary Lou’s valentine said:“Here’s taffy for Daffy on Valentine’s Day. How much we all love him is too hard to say. – Mary Lou”
Then Daffy opens a valentine with a picture of Cupid wearing a soldier’s uniform and holding a gun. Pete says, “Cupid does a lot for our country, too.” And Daffy replies, “ I sure am glad Cupid’s in the Army now.”
Send a Valentine to those in harm’s way serving our Nation in distant lands today!
ElderChicks 
Hi Tom, Juggler Extraordinaire!
Thanks for this great story about being in touch- and all it it tells us about adult illiteracy, something you’ve given so much of your talent, energy, and brilliance to eradicate. The people reading this don’t have the problem, of course, but they might be shocked to realize how many people still do.
Tom, your story had me smiling all the way through, especially taffy for Daffy. I use to send boxes of goodies to my friends in Vietnam and your story set off that memory and will now will have me sending.Valentine cards to our men away from home. I hope to hear more of your stories and a wonderful Happy Valentine’s to you.