June 13, 1944

Tuesday, 9 PM

Dear Mother,

            Your letter of today was enjoyed from end [to end], for it has been 10 days since I last heard from you. Glad to hear that you had a nice rain and know it helped a lot. Also hope that you are feeling OK by now.

            It’s tough that you had trouble with the ice-box, but it has been very little expense and guess it’s due to need a little repair now and then. Hope it doesn’t cost you too much. It’s nice too that you got your stove as it will be a lot less trouble and cooler, though’ you may run out of oil now and then!

            As for my cold, it still hangs on and bothers me quite a bit. It must be this climate, for nearly all of us have them. Sinus doesn’t keep you out of combat anymore! Haven’t heard anything more about getting my tonsils out – they are busy now I guess. 

            It has really been hot here lately, but is pretty cool today and yesterday. No rain though!!

            We are to have our pictures made [of the Company] tomorrow I think. There are lots of new faces since the last was made. I also have a roll of films to take when I get the chance.

            Thursday is “Infantry-Day” and also the 2nd Anniversary of the 81st Division, and we get a holiday. We have a big parade and review in the morning, where I will receive my “Expert Infantryman Badge.” Then, all through the day we have a lot of competitive sports as we had on Memorial Day.

            Our training is getting a little tougher now. We have to do a “1 hr. continuous March” every day, “1 hr. Calisthenics” with a lot of running daily, “2-10 mile hikes for a week,” and “Twice through the obstacle course a week,” and then our regular work, including radio class every afternoon. Also play lots of sports. No, the radio school doesn’t mean I’ll be a radioman now, but only prepares me if I’m ever needed. All of us in this company are supposed to be able to do the others work if needed.

            I don’t think you need worry about me straying off when this war is over, for I doubt if the biggest job in the world could pull me away for a long time, for I’ve about had my fill of “traveling”, and the old song “There’s No Place Like Home” is really true!! “Bro. Payne” was also a “Much traveled man” when he wrote that!!

            If I were you, I think I [would] continue operation [of] the farm as you are now and not rent it if Eugene will stay. You make a little more this way and are still “the boss.” I trust the crops are doing OK?

            Furloughs are still just a “faint hope,” for we haven’t heard a thing. Ester is waiting to see if I get off before he comes, so hope we’ll hear “yes or no” soon. We will really be a disappointed bunch if we don’t, and they may realize that and give us one to bolster the all-important morale!

            The invasion news sounds good, and hope they don’t have too much trouble. It seems to be going great on all fronts.

            Albert Emerson has been transferred to a non-combat outfit and is still in this camp for a while. I saw him last night for the first time.

            Guess Betty will be there soon, won’t she? Miriam sends me a $1 in nearly every letter.

            We hear our training schedule runs until the 28th here so we may be here that long, or longer! At present, all passes and emergency furloughs are with the 19th, but may be extended again. I saw Bing Crosby in “Going My Way” and it is really good. If you ever get a chance to see [him] do so, for it’s well worth it. “Mark Twain” is on tomorrow night. That’s all I can think of now, so, so long.

                                                                                                Love

                                                                                                            Sonny