Friday Evening

April 14, 1944

Hello Folks!

I am in the field again for a while and writing to you from my little pup tent. Two of us pitch these tents together and they are quite comfortable, especially when I have my waterproof, warm as toast, zipper lined sleeping roll – the last one in the battery.

We are having a little rain night now but I am quite dry. Right before me I have no less then 13 letters, all of them received in the post two days. Three of them were from Tom, and six from you people. Thanks a lot for all of them. Dad sent me a swell letter about the money I have saved and it was good to read it. It gave me all the information I was curious about – don’t think please that I am being worried about it, I just wanted to play around with the figures and plan on saving more while I am over here.

Dad didn’t mention about any insurance payments, - if I am not mistaken I have an old insurance policy that is still in effect. Why don’t you take the money for the premiums out of the bank. That is why I had Ma made a co-depositor, so she could draw out money for expenses like that. All that candy and other things you are sending me must cost a lot of money. So please don’t hesitate about doing that.

There is so much to talk about in the letter that I don’t know where to begin. You didn’t know at the time that Simpson and I got together in London and I met some of my old outfit out in the field. Ma asked me if I wanted any hard boiled eggs, well Ma thanks anyway but we have plenty of eggs over here. Whoever told you that soldiers overseas don’t get eggs is mistaken. We eat everything we do back in the states. Tonight for example we had steak, pudding and some vegetables. It was a meal as good as any I ever had in the army. I ask you to send me candy because I like to eat it late at night when I am reading or just writing letters. If you have already sent that chicken you spoke about, I’ll be glad to get it, however if you are still waiting to spend it don’t bother.

Dad must have been the fashion plate of Madison Ave in his new gray suit and new hat. Ma and Helen are good judges of clothes and if the outfit met with their approval, it must have been O.K.

Helen mentioned about getting the wrist watch piece for me and I appreciate it. I still have the watch wired up so there is no danger of it getting loose. It keeps prefect time and I am proud of it. I think it is the nicest present I ever got from anyone.

It was good to hear about Ant’s service stations ___ and the ___. It brought back memories of good old South Paterson and the happy days we spent there. Tom and I always calling up Ant’s to fix up the old car, the ___ and the ___, McDonald’s and the Holeys. Remember when we would spend all day making root beer down in the cellar and then drink it all up in an hour or so?

I like those caramels from Weida’s very much. Helen and I could use all you send me.

Did I tell you I received the box with the 3 ivory soaps, Nestles bars and tooth paste? I got it two days ago and everything seemed in good condition. You probably have received the sketch and Dad’s fountain pen by this time. I hope they got there, especially the fountain pen – the sketch will hand you a laugh.

Helen mentioned about a sleeping pillow she saw advertised. I don’t need any Helen really as I have a nice warm sleeping bag and never use a pillow anyhow. Milky Ways are a favorite of mine as Helen said and I would always appreciate them.

That surprise I mentioned about will reach me sometime next week and I will send it along to you right away.

Please send me some candy – I have enough writing paper and envelopes now so you needn’t send any more.

God bless all of you and take good care of you until I get around to Madison Ave. again.

Love,

Joe