Sunday night 9:15

Dear John Milton::

I have just been talking with Evelyn Hobgood (and it’s a good thing you had sent us that telegram last evening, which we very much appreciated) for she told me of having gotten one from you, and if I, hadn’t gotten one, I never would have loved you anymore. Then Eunice came to the phone to talk with me about some S.S. work but in the conversation I had mentioned your having called up the first of last week, and Eunice said, “please tell John to put a “bug” in Marions’ ear to call Mama some time, for I believe it will help her a lot.” Now, John M. I do not know whether Marion knows it or not., but Mrs. Hobgood has been very sick, and the girls seem to think a good deal of it is the fact she misses the boys so much, so please do not tell Marion this, but just in some diplomatic way, maybe ask him if he has ever called his mother, and suggest that he do so some time when he is off, or if he doesn’t take to the suggestion, you might work it this way, when both of you are off and might be running around, suggest that each of you call your homes. I wouldn’t write you this if Eunice hadn’t asked me to tell you, but remember, do not tell him about his mother, in case he hasn’t already been told.

We did appreciate the message kid, and thanks a lot. Hope the next one will be some other kind of news. We were returning last night from being down at the cottage, and a Sandston, picked up three soldiers to bring to town and they were from the Air Base there at Sandston. None of them were flyers, they did ground work of some kind. The one who sat in from with Ben and me (we had so much in the back, there was only room for two) had a pin on, something like the one you gave me, not the wings but the other one. We have to go to church next Sunday night to answer for you as Mr. Maddry I having some kind of service in recognition of the men in service from our church and in the case the men do not happen to be there, some one of his family is expected to answer in his place.

I expect the box from Adelaide was enjoyed by someone who perhaps knew you were away on leave, so just count that up to “profit and loss”, mostly loss. When you begin getting the ones from here, you will wonder what broke loose, two coming at almost one time. But after send –the one with the glasses of jelly in on, then when I bought the box of crackers I had to get other things to fill the box, so, hence the reason for two boxes all at one time.

I think I have told you before that I have and am always watching the pepers for any information about the men in service, and have looked in Cunningham, but so far nothing unless I have overlooked it. I’ll keep watching.

I have sent the barracks bag back up stairs for safe keeping.

This is all of letter Oct. 23 -------- next letter received last Sat.

I would not send Christmas gifts to all the folks as you usually do, it will hardly be expected and under the present conditions I am sure will be excusable, how-ever, if you have time and wish to send a few, that in its self won’t be like getting a dozen or two together, either from the expense or time standpoint.

You asked about Evelyn, then seem to think if you send her, you will have to send the others mentioned. Not at all, I would say. For one reason they are not friends and are not likely to know anything about what you do. But, my suggestion would be for all the girl friends is this,----surely at the post exchange for Christmas they will have some kind of appropriate small gifts or trinkets that you can get for each of the ones you want to remember, then if there happens to be one or two special friends, you might go a little deeper and get something a little more elaborate,---now in all of this I am speaking of the girls, then for all of this I am speaking of girls, then for all the kin folks you are accustomed to giving to, I would send cards. This won’t take long or many, and this I think you should do. If by any chance you go to some store for the one or two special gifts, they will, I feel sure (as they do here and every other city I was ever in) wrap and send you packages for. Even the postage is paid usually. All of this will not take much of that fifty bucks you get, I am sure.

No, I would not write and tell them you are not giving gifts, wee first if what I have mentioned can’t be done. You can even now be getting them, or ask at the P.E. if they aren’t going to have some Christmas things.

I certainly am anxious to hear from you in ans. to our letter about the cloths you requested as Christmas gifts. What I am particularly concerned about is where you have to buy your clothes or not, surely you do not have to. But if it’s a case of just wanting more than you have, that’s a bit different, and I will see that you get what you need to make you comfortable.

Your letters have ahev (here’s an example) been interesting about the work you are doing and things connected with it.

(I hate to do this, but let me call your attention to a great many mistakes you still make in your letters, especially this one. Understand, as far as we are concerned it’s excusable, but I am thinking of some time you might write a letter to someone down there. Of course you would I am sure be more careful, but if you are not, I’m afraid it might be against you. Not only spelling but putting two words together, thusly, in your last letter,-- cadetsare—cadets are,---hthhey—they, and a few others.)

Tuesday 11:30 a.m.

If Mrs. Valentine has sent you a little book may I suggest you send her a card of thanks. After all it was thoughtful of her to send it and she gets pleasure from doing so as she says, several soldiers have written her how much they enjoy having the book.

Her address is Mrs. Valentine, Sr.

108 N. Auburn Ave,.

I do not know her given name.

If in the News Reels, I see a bomber M26M I’ll remember what you wrote us about the one coming into your field, and for that reason, it will appeal to us. Everything we know something about makes it more interesting.

Now sonny, here’s something of interest to you. At a Community Fund Supper last night, your daddy had an opportunity to talk with Mr. Satterfield, or he really made an opportunity, and it looks as though you are going to have to dig for yourself if you want something. Mr. Satterfield says he has never had a reply to any of his letters written in your interest, and he also said, and which you know, it’s a delicate situation for him to have too much to do with, so since “they” have not acknowledged his letters, there’s nothing more he can do. It is too bad, we all were banking lots on him, but from now on what you get, you can pat our self on the back and say, “I did it all myself,” go to it dearie and good luck, call us any time you may wish t if there’s anything we can do.

Love,

Mother