9:50 P.M.

Nov. 17, 1942

Dear Mother,

            I got your letter today with the tags and the clipping from the Star. I sent Sears a letter sometime ago and I see he got it. The radio club sent me a letter in it too.

            I sent you a package from Neosho, Missouri Monday. You should get it in a few days. In it was a souvenir pillow case and a Camp Crowder pennant. Please let me know when you get them.

            As I’ve stated before we are moving out Sunday and I don’t know where. It is probably to the new area right here at camp. Because they have a lot of the schools located here now.

            I just had a shower and a shave and do I feel swell. It was very warm here today.

            Monday was the first time I was in the town of Neosho. It is a very nice town.

            While there I saw two town Marshall’s. They looked just like the Westerners you see in the movies. Each one had a big .45 strapped real low in their leg. Not like you see the city policeman wear a gun. The bottom of the holster reached the knee. While there I bought a pineapple sundae and it sure tasted swell. We can leave the camp any night as long as we are back in bed at 11 o’clock. Of course you have to have a pass to get out of camp though.

            Everything is going along swell here.

            Well I can’t think of anything else to write at this time.

            I was busy tonight till 9 P.M. There were 500 men + officers on a night operations problem trying to capture a water tank.

            Everybody has to take his turn on K.P. and fireman, else how do you suppose we’d eat and keep warm. Everybody has his turn in the army to have some crumby job.

                                                            Your son,

                                                                        Melvin