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
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