North Africa

March 14, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad,

I read all of your letters okay, but I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t had time to write. I got the envelope addressed yesterday afternoon, and then I had to go into town. I was supposed to get a brand new projector last week, but some other camp sort of messed up the details. So, yesterday afternoon they phoned us and said to come down to Special Service and get it right away. So, I got a jeep and went down. I did get it and tried it out last night at the show. It is dandy, the same make as I had before but a newer model with several improvements on it. Tonight I have a good show called “Cabin in the Sky” with Rochester and Lena Horne playing in it, and the cast is colored. I saw the show in Sioux City, and some of the boys saw it there, also, but they will see it again. We have “Coney Island”, a Technicolor picture coming next, and the Stage Don Cannon, an all star cast.

I have a microphone now that one of the boys got out of one of the planes. I use it on the projector and make announcements before I start the show.

Dad, I have been so busy the past two weeks, but I do write at least once a week to you and Ben. I am sorry you haven’t received my letters. You will get them sooner or later. No, I haven’t moved yet, and it looks like we are going to stay here. I hope so because we have it fixed up pretty nice now. The boys have built a shower, so as soon as the warm weather sets in we can take showers.

I am glad to hear that the weather there is getting nice, and soon it will be real spring and then summer.

So, old Nelson the School Principle died. I just wonder who will pick up the cigar and cigarette butts now.

Yes, I remember Chase Clare. It is too bad he died, and he was a fine fellow. I remember him from way back when we first came to Oregon. Gosh, by the time I get back home, there won’t be any of the old friends around.

Yes, we still have the radio and get the news from London each evening and sometimes from Boston, Massachusetts. I don’t see how Germany can last much longer with all the bombing she has had. She is in for plenty more, too, and our boys are the ones that can give it to them. Last week, I had the pleasure of flying over Sicily. It was a grand trip.

We get the “Stars and Stripes” here regularly, and all the home town news is in it. I read in it that Irvin S. Cobb died (too bad), and he will be missed a lot. You sure have a job on your hands now. So, K.B. has to pay bad pay. Well, he should have thought of that a long time ago. Yes, you will be able to buy quite a few bonds with that money. Myrtle has gotten her second $25 bond since I came over seas. She gets one every three months. She is doing very well in saving the more I send her. I sent her $80 a few weeks ago. She has bought a nice diamond ring. I thought it only fair to let her get it because she has been so good about everything. I am so very proud of her, and I don’t mind letting her use the money as she likes. I am letting her take care of all the money and I think I will let her continue doing it after I get home, too. She takes better care of it than I did when I was home. I think when I come back, we will live in Salem, and I will go back to R.M. & Co. Mr. Yocum wants me to come back and work there, so I guess I will go back. Myrtle said while she was out walking around, she saw some cute little houses. I would like to have a nice little home for her to keep safe. She sure is a swell kid, and I think the world and all of her. I’m so glad you both like her so well. So, you are thinking about spring house cleaning again huh Mom? I wished I were there to help, but I guess you will have to climb up that step ladder and wash the windows by yourself. Our weather is getting nice now, and there are a lot of flowers out in bloom. The nights get cold, but I sleep warm. So, they finally decided to do something with the inside of the house. It is about time, I should think.

I don’t get around town much, but there’s not anything in there to do, so I just stay out here at camp. The boys have a basketball court made and are making a baseball diamond now. We have a nice day room with several game tables and a Ping-Pong table. So, all the boys are pretty well satisfied. The movies help out a lot, and I am in complete charge of it. The film schedule is made up a month in advance, so I can post the pictures up before hand. I really enjoy doing it. I feel that I am doing a lot to help make the boys a little happier and more cheerful. Every one is so nice, and they all call me Tommy. Even the Officers call me by that name, so we are all just one big happy family.

Well, I am about out of news for this time, but I will write again soon and try not to wait so long. I am well and real happy because I have the best mom and dad in all the whole wide world, and in Roseburg, I have the sweetest and dearest wife in all the world a man ever had. I have some loved ones to come back to as soon as we boys here wipe that bunch of murderers off the face of the earth.

Bye-Bye for now and God bless you both.

Loads of love from your faithful son,

Howard