April 23, 1942

Dear Anna:

Have received your most affectionate letter and I was very happy to hear from you and everyone else and I am also pleased to hear that everyone is in the best of health.

You will have to pardon me because as you well know I am not much of a writer or talker and as far as I am concerned I am in it and I am going to try and make the best of it without any complaints no matter what obstacles may confront me.

I am sorry to hear that your mother is not feeling well, tell your mother I said to take care of herself and not try to do to much. I realize that at this time of the year there is a lot of house work to be done and I am very sorry I can not be on hand to help.

I have received the cookies you sent me and I want to thank you all for them as I enjoyed them very much and I also gave some to the other boys who are with me and they liked them very much.

Last Saturday afternoon a group picture was taken of all the officers and men of our Battalion and as soon I can get one of these pictures I will send it to you.

Last weekend I was offered a pass for Saturday evening and Sunday but I turned it down because by the time I would get in Philadelphia I would have to rush back the same day.

The only thing that I can see that we might be able to do in order to see each other and spend a little time together that is if you would care to do that as I always did want to see Washington. I passed through Washington on the way to Virginia from Fort Meade but had to stay in the train and you know you can not see much that way.

We never know when we are going to get a pass but it usually is on Saturday afternoon. If you can give me an idea as to how I can reach you by telephone quickly as soon as I can get a pass I will try to get in touch with you and we can arrange to meet each other in that way we may be able to spend a few hours together.

Give my regards to everybody

Yours always

Tony