Friday evening,

March 25, 1944

Dear Folks:

            Well this is my first letter in quite a few days but I have not been able to write.  We are out of camp for a few days and I am living in a pup tent once more.  Today your big box of candy arrived and it was like Christmas here.  The candy is swell and tastes delicious.  It arrived in good shape and the boys and I pitched into it right away.  Thanks a lot and I’ll be glad to get more when you can send it.  I’ll use it sparingly and won’t waste it.  By the way, the small box Helen sent to me arrived on the 23rd and I still have some of it.  Those little boxes from Weida’s are swell and I like the caramels a lot.  Thanks Sis. 

            I suppose you know that I had to break my date with Simpson because of this work.  Well I believe I’ll be able to make it on the 3rd and 4th of April.  However, all of these plans are dependant upon whether I have work to do or not.  I’m hoping for the best though. 

             My sleeping bag is coming in handy once more and I am warm as toast at night.  It is a rough deal to crawl out of the nice warm bed in the mornings but I manage to make it. 

            There is a softball game and a movie on tap for tonight.  We have had softball games every night out here and they are a lot of fun.  I would prefer to play baseball but softball isn’t a bad substitute.  It has been two years since I played in the shop league at Wrights.  I never thought I’d resume playing over in England but here I am.  The movie is going to be “Red Skelton” and it should be good for a few laughs.  We have our own movie machine with us you see so we can movies at any time.  Pretty good eh!–  We also have a phonograph and a lot of records- so we have music with our meals.  Who could ask for anything more?

            I got four letters today as well as the box of candy, so you can see it was a banner day.  Helen’s two v-mail letters,- the two making one letter-, one from Tom, and one from Charlie.  Tom sent me an issue of Sporting News which I enjoyed reading.  His letter came from Lexington when he was still in school. Helen told about receiving my v-mail letter.  They are easy to write but when I have time I’d rather write a letter.  You can use either way of course but there is nothing better than a nice letter.  I’m glad to hear you are still feeling good and hope you continue that way. 

            Benny Goodman is playing over our speaker system now and the movie should start soon.  You people are probably just getting off work now- it is 8 o’clock here and should be about 4 o’clock back in Paterson.  Goodbye for now and keep good care of yourselves.  Tell Helen the 1 and 6 haircut was pretty good.  I need another one about this time.

Love,

Joe