Monday afternoon,

7/19/43

Dear Folks,

This is just a little note asking you for a little favor. It isn’t much and I know you will do it for me.

You see they are going to hand out a few furloughs out in the battalion and I might be lucky enough to draw one. Nothing certain about it but there is a possibility.

Here is what I want you to do. Draw some money out of the bank and send it to me by money order. About $100.00 would be quite sufficient. Will you do this for me? Even if I don’t use it I could always send it back. I just want to have it in the event my luck is good.

There is again no means of any intend to tell you. We are going to have an inspection by some general soon and we have been getting ready. Rifles cleaned, clothes cleaned, everything suffered to be shipshape. When the inspection comes the general will probably just take a look down the lottery street and let it go as is.

I haven’t mentioned very much about the fine boxes and presents you sent me. But I have appreciated them very much and found them most useful. Among the other items you got me that have proven to be of much use to me are the soap case which I would be lost without, the mirror which still isn’t broken, shaver and blades (I haven’t had to buy any new razors yet) and the swell rags. These things have been especially useful; everything else came in for much use as well. Gosh, I almost forgot the scarf!

That was a life saver up at Washington but of course is at the bottom of my barracks by now. Your last package arrived two days ago and I got six letters the same day. You remember me telling you that the mail has been held if during maneuvers. I am eating some of the candy now and it sure tastes swell. Hazen and I practically devoured the cookies in one night – they sure hit the spot. Bill is trying for a transfer as a flying cadet and goes for his final exam tonight to Bakersfield. I hope he makes it as he is a swell guy with an equally fine wife. He has a good chance to make it I am sure.

Bill Watton has been moved once more to Alameda, Cal. He hops around the coast here but I never got to see him. It seems I won’t get to see him until we both get back to old Madison Avenue. Then we can get in their big Chrysler and have a little joy ride for ourselves.

Simpson has written two V mail and one letter to me since he landed in England. He must have some sort of a job that allows him to write as he sure has become prolific with the pen. He told me he has written to Ma which shows how wise Ma was to ____ and my other pals. “Grand-ma” did always make any of my friends at home and I won’t forget it.

Well I hope all of you are still in good health and doing your usual good jobs. By the way I just remembered your asking me about the letters you sent me. I must confess that I wasn’t able to keep all of them because of lack of space. I keep them about a month, read them over and over and finally destroy them. There isn’t anything I need now and have plenty of everything, soap, socks, underwear, etc. I may even be sending a box home one of these days.

I’ll be waiting for your answer – don’t telegraph it as that system doesn’t seem to work out there – too much delay ect.

Goodnight and God bless all of you,

Joe