March 10, 1945

Hello Everyone.

How are you? I am fine and I hope you are the same.

I finally read all the letters I received while in New York and I’m also just about finished answering them. It took me quite some time to do it, but now I’m finished and I can start writing regularly again. I sure was kept busy for a while there. I don’t mind it too much though. It shows the people I know are still thinking about me.

My mother tells me she received a letter from Charles last week. I’m glad she did. I guess you have one also by now. He is out in the Pacific again. I thought that’s where he was going. I figured maybe he was out there where the fighting is going on, but now I’m glad I was wrong. I guess I’ll be out there with him for the next invasion.

The last time I was home I told you that I may get a leave from the next port I hit, but today I learned that I won’t, so don’t expect me for awhile. I had high hopes of getting home for a few days but they are all gone now.

Well it won’t be long now before I get out of the chow hall. I’m supposed to get out the first of next month. That day can’t come too soon for me. After that I don’t think it will be too long before I get a rate. Just as soon as I get out of the mess hall I’m going to get a book, read and study it and then take a test for a fireman first. After that I don’t know if I can take a test for machinist mate third or not. That is if I pass the first test. I’m going to try hard though.

I guess this is about all I have to say for now so I’ll say so long, write soon and say hello to the rest of the family for me.

Love to all.

Howard W. Herold