Somewhere in Holland

October 3 [1944]

Dear Mom,

I have a few spare moments so I’ll try to drop a few lines. I’m in a different place than I was when I wrote you last - much nicer here too - Holland isn’t so bad after all -

We’ve been busy for a couple of days- as we usually are when we change places- I’m working days now rather than nights - It’s better for sleeping this way - I have some trouble sleeping in the day time as there is usually lots going on around - people talking etc - Still I feel fine and dandy - I haven’t weighed for a long time so I have no idea as to my weight but I’ll bet it’s more than when I left for the army.

I’ve had several interruptions one of which -

Same place-Oct 6

I’ve even forgotten what that interruption was - however it has lasted 3 days - We’re really very busy here - I had a couple of letters from you and one from Gene - I heard from Helen not long ago - also had a couple of letters from a little girl I met in South Carolina - I haven’t heard from Anne in a month or so - neither have I written for my time is pretty well filled - I do think it best that she get interested in someone else though - for although I think a lot of her I have no matrimonial intentions for quite some time yet -

Speaking of Xmas presents - the things we can use here are in order of importance

1) Food (candy, cake, cookies, etc – always welcome – chocolate seems to be the favorite – and plenty of it)

2. Writing material (paper, ink, stamps, envelopes and fountain pens – If you can I wish you’d send several of the 10¢ store variety which usually work as good as any)

3. Watches – mine is in latest Jerry slang “Kaput” I would like to have a fairly good watch and a couple of * straps –

4. Shave soap – the cake kind for tubes will get squished – Williams is my brand – razor blades too – double edge – and a couple of septic pencils –

5. Reading matter – my favorites – the New Yorker, Coronet, and Esquire. Old or new it makes little difference here – Also short stories from the daily paper of Colliers short shorts or Liberty’s short story and such – things that can be read in a matter of minutes – for thats the way we have to read a good part of the time. When we do have longer we have little books that keep us pretty well occupied –

6. Last but not least a couple of fruit cakes of the King variety –

As you probably realize these things are readily usable and simple to carry – that’s the ticket – for Lord knows we carry enough junk as it is –

I wrote Bernice a note – I was awfully sorry to hear about Mason – I see a lot of it you know – but it doesn’t make it any easier –

The mail is coming here pretty well now so keep them coming – I hope my packages I mailed you arrive soon and in good shape. Let me know at once when you receive them.

Will you please get something for Anne for Xmas too – Your judgment is best. And for the others too – I wonder if Gene will remember the tie? –

I stop now – for it’s time for me to retire – So long for a while –

Love,

Jack-