July 13, 1942

Dear Anna:

            Received your most welcomed letter and I am glad to hear from you and the rest of the family. And I am glad to know that everyone is in the best of health.

            I am writing to you from one of the USO clubs in a place called Highwood which is a small town near our camp.

            I took a trip to Chicago last Saturday evening and it certainly is some town. I had all I could do trying not to get lost as it is a very large town and there is plenty to see in it. But what little time I had there I certainly made good use of it.

            In regards to guard duty of course we have our military rules to abide by at the same time I try to be as courteous as possible to everyone as far as military duty will allow.

            Your attitude and spirit in your last letter has improved quit a lot and it has made me very happy and I hope it will continue as I don’t like to hear you say that you are down hearted or lonesome, etc especially when there is no good reason to be that way.

            I am very happy to hear that your mother is feeling well and I also hope she keeps on feeling that way.

            We also had a very time hear over the 4th as I think we worked harder than we do on our regular days.

            I can imagine what it must a been down there as I remember what it was like last year.

            I have not sent the suitcase as yet but I am going to send it before I am shipped out as I do not think I will have any use for it after I leave here.

            So far the water seems to be OK and the slippers have been a wonderful help to me I have used them quit a bit and they are pretty near wore out.

            Since I can not think of much more to say I will close with lots of love to you and give my best regards to everybody.

Always Yours,

Tony