Dec. 12, 1943

Dear Mom,

We rush around here quite a bit consequently I don’t have time to write. I know you want letters as often as possible and I’ll try to write every chance I get. It’s tough but the chances are I’ll make it. Take care of yourself whatever you do. Watch your heart and that rupture. I named you as beneficiary in a $10,000 policy. Also I signed allotment papers from my money to you. Let me know how much you get. Write often as you can because I’d rather hear from you than anybody else. Don’t send me anything unless I ask for it, there isn’t a place to put it anyway. I miss you more each day and wish to Christ I was home again and out of this hole. Now I appreciate what a home is. Here it’s like a mad house. Wally is lucky he’s in the army. When you write tell me about yourself and the house and Mollie and Tom and Frank, etc, don’t ask about what I’m doing down here. Ohio is still the best state I’ve ever been in and Cleveland the best town. These moonshiners down here are ignorant and crummy. Our equipment has to be spotless and all my spare time goes in shining rifle bayonets. Remember that when you don’t hear from me it’s because I’m too busy to write and please don’t feel bad. I may or may not be able to get out of here in February, nobody knows. Tell Frank to write and explain. I lack the time. Say hello to Mollie tell her I hope her leg is improving and that since she has lots of time she can write too. Take care of yourself first before anything else. This war is on for a long long time. I know you miss me much of a hellion as I was, and I miss you enough that words cannot convey. Use the address on this envelope exactly as you read it when you write to me. Remember don’t worry about me take care of yourself.

Love,

Bun

P.S. Feed Tom.