Cherbourg, France

                                                                                                                              June 25, 1945

My darling:

            Big day today- laundry day as usual and the men turned in pretty much this week. I hope it can get some help when it comes back Wednesday. My helper went on a trip to Belgium! They took up some new tanks where they will be loaded on ships and sent somewhere. I would have liked to take that trip, for they say it is very nice country up there, but I had to stay here as usual. Maybe it’s for the best.

            I played basketball again tonight for about two hours. I should be in pretty good shape if I can keep playing a couple times a week. Oh yes honey I play basketball, but I haven’t played for about 18 years. My eye is a little off, but I can still put a few in. Basketball is my favorite sport, and I expect to buy two season tickets for you and I if you care to go with me, and I think you will.

            Maggie I love you more today than I did yesterday, and my missing you goes harder for me every day. I hope I can stick it out, but I guess I can I don’t think it will kill me, but then sometimes I wonder. You are mine forever Maggie. I’ll never let you down and I am hoping you won’t let me down. I have all the faith in the world in you, and I know you won’t let me down. It’s funny what the sight of another woman does to me. You are so beautiful honey and I’m not joking. We have homely girls at home, but nothing to compare with these. You know Maggie, the more I look at your picture with the glasses the better I like it. I’ll take back that statement I said yesterday. You do look good honey, but better without them.

            Getting back to sports and myself again, I played a little football, but never for any big teams, just a few of us kids played some from another section of the town. I like the game a lot, and our kid better go out for it when he goes to school. To me, it’s a very interesting game to see, next to basketball. Baseball I never did like, it’s too slow of a game for me, as you know I’m a pretty fast guy, when it comes to some things. Softball I like, for I used to play when I was home. Our gang had a pretty good team. Most of the time I played first base. I’m not bragging, but very few went by me. We can’t play basketball in out stocking feet for the floor is cement and your feet would be worn out before you know it.  I also like wrestling and boxing. I believe I would like to play badminton too. I never played it but if we have a lawn I think we could have some fun, and it would keep me home. I enjoy walking too. I used to do a lot of it, but I think it would be more fun with you, as I never did much walking with anyone but you. I really never did walk with anyone as much as I did you.

            I am glad to hear you are starting allen going to church. I’ll bet he will enjoy it especially when he gets a little older. The kids are never too young to start.

            I guess you were right honey, my sickness was mostly homesickness, and a little cold on top of it. I really did feel punk for almost a week, but it never stopped me, although I was pretty tired when I went to bed. Every time I bend down my head would thump and ache.

            Did I ever tell you I have no cat anymore or a dog? I never did know what happened to that cat. He went out one night and never came back. The woman when I take the clothes to be pressed has a cat that has kittens, and she promised us one, a black one again. I am as bad as I was when I was a kid. Almost every day I bring back a couple of dogs, someday I’ll get one to stay around, and one I like.

            Now don’t eat so much now that you  are home. I want to hear more about that weight of yours- dropping.

            Goodnite darling

                        All my love

                                    Yours-

                                                Pres