Tuesday evening,
1/26/43
Dear Folks:
I have just come from the movies and thought I would write a few lines. We are out of quarantine and can go to the movies at night. No passes fourloughs yet so we stay in the fort.
Mail was very heavy the last two day. I received thirteen letters yesterday and six today. None came Friday or Saturday so you see it comes in bundles when it comes. I received letter from Ma, Dad, Helen, and a few people I worked with. They told me all about work and I was glad to hear about the payoff.
The choicest item I received from the letter was the one about my becoming a prospective uncle. That is really something and I will write Tom and congratulate him a little in advance. Ma, can you imagine yourself being a grandmother? This will really be an event in our family and something to look forward to. Tom is really going places- becoming an officer and a prospective father all in so short a time. I want you to keep me posted on the development.
The cold weather has let up here and slush has taken over. We had a lot of snow and it is all starting to melt. That makes quite a sloppy surface and we really plow along when we march. We have been indoors a lot lately and it hasn’t been bad. We weren’t cold or uncomfortable because the army furnishes good warm clothing. Now it is getting warmer and we aren’t using the overcoat.
Another package arrived yesterday containing candy, pygamas, and ear muffles. The pygamas go to work tonight and I think they will be nice and cozy. There is a lot of candy in the box and I will be quite a while in eating it. Thanks a lot. The hangers came in very handy and they are saving me lots of wrinkles. Before they came I had to put all of my clothes in my two broach bags and they were getting messed. And told you they can’t be bought out here and worth more than money. I have my name on them so noone can take them and use them. The boys won’t take any money but they sure do take hangers.
The sergeant told us today that
there may be some passes given next weekend. All of the boys want them and I
may not be fortunate and get one. Don’t know where I will go but I would like
to get a look at
We are going maneuvers in six weeks to Yakama. That is a place about 100 miles from there where the battalion goes to fire the guns and practices what they teach us here in class. It will be good and exciting and I am looking forward to it. It is a thrill to shoot these big guns 10 miles away. So long and God bless you all. Lights are going out and I am going to hit the hay.
Joe