July 19, 1944

Dear Mom-

Sorry I haven’t written for the past few days but being rather unsettled I haven’t had a chance to sit down to write a long letter- and I hate to many short notes-

I guess I told you before that your package arrived, and that I got your letter saying settlement was all fixed up. I also got your letter telling me the Bonds are coming thru now-it also told about Uncle Jim breaking his collarbone and BeeBee her wrist-It had been missent to another Field Hospital-thus the delay-The mail does not come in chronological order anyway-It all depends upon the transportation facilities available I suppose-

We heard the good news on the radio last night that the yanks have taken St Lo-From what the newscasters and newswriters say that’s a big step toward Paris-It won’t be long now.

The French kids around are picking up our phrases now-It’s funny to hear “Hello Joe”- and “Come and get it” from these small fry with a French accent- Everyone gets a big kick out of it-

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately-also making some souvenirs. I’ve made several rings from parts of the D-day gliders-I’ll send some home soon-I want to get several things together and make one package-I also have some French coins and some German issued French coins-and a couple of little flags the kids have given me-I’ll send some for Anne too-and some of my other friends-you can remail them if you will-In that way it won’t take so many packages-

I haven’t heard from Gene as yet. Hope he is O.K.- I miss his humorous letters-Those he wrote home from Columbia were really herm dingers-

We’re running the washing machine today and I must go and help and get my clothes out-So long for now-

Love,

Jack-