North Africa

June 12, 1943

Dearest Sis –

Will now try and answer your letter I received the other day. Would have answered sooner but have been pretty busy and wanted to wait until pay day so I could send some money. Am sending $30, ten I borrowed from you, ten from Pop and use the other ten for paying for the Cigarette lighter and if any left give it to Pop.

Every thing in Africa is about the same except for the weather it sure is getting hot during the day but nice and cool at night. I went into town yesterday the first day off since we have been here, ate dinner with a French family and am invited back for supper Sunday. The meal wasn’t like one at home but beats the G.I. Chow, but the one Sunday (June 13) will be some thing special, a French family thinks’ it is a great honor to have U.S. soldier in their homes, that is most of them do.

I haven’t heard from Lucy and Bert in some time. If they are around there tell Lucy I thought about her on June 1, her birthday. And also tell them that I would like to hear from them even though it takes a little time to write. I have written them two letters since I heard from them.

How does the war news sound back home? We never heard but very little here. Hoping it is as good as they say it is, if it is good. Got a letter from Earnest Ashbrook the other day he said the Widow Dorothy was asking about me, well isn’t that just to bad, if she thinks she is too damn good to write that just saves me time and trouble answering back.

Sure was glad to hear that you got your raise, just hope you continue going up. Is Francis still working there? Do the Harveys hear from Floyd regular and where is he now? Hope he is still in the good old U.S.A. A person doesn’t realize just how good it is to be an American until he has been in countries like this and see how the people live and make a living and when I do get back they are going to have a whale of a time ever getting me out again. Well Sis as this is about all from here for this time I will sign off for now, hoping to hear from all soon.

Love Always

Marlin