From the land of the magic carpet
–
March 31, 1944
Dearest Mom,
There comes a day in every month when a soldier smiles from ear to ear, and this has been the day for me. The eagle flew and I received my handful of Persian Rials in notes, large and small. From a one thousand Rial note to a five Rial note I collected. My idea of the finest way to dispose of that money is to send it to the sweetest person on Earth, my mother. Enclosed you will find Money Order No. 34537 for $35.00. It is yours, Mom, to use as you see fit.
Every time I look at a magazine I am interested in seeing only one thing, pictures of buildings, parks, and country sides in the States. It is awfully tiresome here to have to look at scenery that is almost entirely devoid of all vegetation, such as bushes and trees. I believe that when I get home I shall spend all my spare time sitting under a tree in Jackson Park and looking at the beautiful trees and lovely green grass. All the while there shall be a pleasant smile of contentment on my face. Perhaps people, passing by, will think I am a bit crazy, but deep down in my heart I won’t care what they might think because I have seen a part of the world that is barren and dead and there will be in me a deep appreciation of America of which I am a part.
Good night, Mom,
God bless you,
Joe