Sunday Morning,

5/16/43

Dear Folks,

This is our third week in California and we aren’t doing so bad at all. By thus time we are quite accustomed to our surroundings and don’t mind the little inconveniences at all. Nothing of any importance took place during the past week so I haven’t any news for you.

I’ve received all the candy you sent to me at Fort Lewis but the flashlight hasn’t arrived as yet. I don’t really need it these past few days as we have had a full moon and it wasn’t dark at all. It should show up anyday now so don’t get excited about it. The candy arrived in good shape and has been around to all the boys. I could use the old moccasins as Ma mentioned. In the evening we can put anything on and do as we please. Don’t go buying a new pair as the old ones will be fine. I am glad to hear that my saddle shoes are still on hand because I liked to wear them.

Ma asked me if our camp was located in Death Valley-I am glad to report that we are not. The region they call Death Valley is a couple of hundred miles north of us.

I receive mail regularly from Bill Walton who is stationed in El Centro. He is about 100 miles from me but we won’t be able to get together because of the lack of transportation. It looks like we’ll have to go back to Paterson to meet up again. I’ve asked him for John’s address and will drop him a line when I get it. Poor John is sure a long way from Madison Avenue and I know he would like to get some mail. Charlie Morel keeps me informed of everything going on down in Texas so I am up on all the news.

I guess I forgot to tell you that we have showers every other day at a place about four miles from here. The water is always nice and cold and feels swell after getting dusty and dirty. One good thing about this place is the fact that we don’t have to keep our shoes shined or our clothes pressed. As long as they are clean, we are o.k. --- We wash everything with G.I soap-Tom can tell you about that. It will clean anything-overalls, Socks, leggins, underwear, etc. We always get plenty of it so don’t be thinking you have to send me washing soap. The only soap I buy is for washing myself and I buy that at the P. X. Our P.X. has started to sell ice cream out here now and I can still pack away a lot of it. That was all I missed when I came down here, so I can’t kick now.

Ken has gotten a transfer to the Signal Corps. and left last week. He is somewhere in California and I will hear from him when he gets settled. Hayes is writing a letter on the next bunk and he and I are still keeping the artillery going. His wife is working at an aircraft plant in Bakersfield now and he hopes to get a week-end pass to see her. Clark isn’t in our battalion any longer so we don’t see him very much. Christopher is still around and wanting to go back to Paterson.

Ma must be pretty well at home in Plant I now and it is swell that she has the first shift. It is the best shift for her to ne on as the others are too much of a change to get used to. She told the payroll gang to watch and for that 81 number and be sure and make no mistake on it. I’m glad she liked the flowers-Hayes and I both sent our orders in at the same time so his mother got hers too. It wasn’t much but it was about all we could do out here.

I hope everyone is feeling well and keeping the home fire burning. I am fine and still haven’t been sun-burned. It looks like I never will get my tan. I am enclosing a snap of me that one of the boys took- we were just coming in off the field.

Joe