1/30/43

Saturday afternoon

 

Dear Folks:

            I just got back from the mess hall and am waiting for the whistle to blow. Roast beef, potatoes, peas and two desserts, jello and fruit salad. Pretty good menu for a buck private and we really pitched in and ate our fill.

            We had full field inspection by the major this morning. That means an inspection of all our equipment and clothes. We have to spread them out on our bed in a certain order and he comes around and looks them over. Anything that is dirty or discolored gets you a detail. I was lucky and got by without any trouble. We really had to clean and scour these last night so they would really shine. Our whole barracks had to be cleaned as well and that really was a job. We moved all the beds in the middle of the floor and mopped and swepped the whole floor. Windows and screens were taken down and cleaned. It took us about 2 hours to do the job.

            We have a regimental parade on for this afternoon and we are going to wear fancy uniforms. Shoes have to be shined, leggins scrubbed and everything has to be shipshape.

            We hear that our training period is going to be lengthened two weeks. We were held back by bad weather and so we are a little behind in our schedule. That wouldn’t be so bad or there is still a lot about this soldering we don’t know.

            The weather is very warm and sunny today and sure feels good. The snow and slush are about gone and we can march much better.

            I haven’t eaten all of Helen’s candy yet or you sent me quite a lot. It sure is good and I am always reaching in my bag for some. It never gets stale and that is one of the best assets. I can eat it whenever I like and that is quite often as you can guess. All the chocolate love and [wahiettole] are gone and they sure hit the spot. Now that the weather is getting warmer I will have little chance to wear the ear muffs. I will keep them in  reserve for possible cold spells. You can see with the scarf and all I am all set. You mentioned in one of your previous letters about a pair of gloves that Dad had. I don’t have any need of them now but I may ask you for them in the future.

            I have filled out the bank cards. I suppose that is all that is necessary for that matter. Did you ever get any of my money from Wrights? I can’t understand the delay and it doesn’t make me feel at all nice about them. With the notice I gave them and the force they have working there is no excuse. If I don’t hear about it from them soon, I will write to Johnson and ask him to do what he can. Hope you are all well and Ma isn’t sleeping too much. Since I left there is noone to keep her up to 1 or 2 o’clock anymore. So long, Joe