Friday evening,

7/16/43

Dear Folks,

At last we are over with maneuvers and back at Camp Granite. Last evening we came in out of the field and set up quarters here once more. It is a relief to get back here after the field- back to the P.X., cots and shade.

It has been about a week or more since I’ve written but we have been quite busy so I hope you will understand. We have been all over the area around Needles and on the move quite a lot. There isn’t anything of interest to tell you because none of us knows what is going on during maneuvers. All we do is set up our positions, stay a little while and then move. Only the colonel and the umpires really understand the movements. All we privates do is move.

I sure hope all is well at home, all of you hard working people are still on the job and keeping the house ready for me when this is all over. The mail situation hasn’t been good at all so I don’t know just what is going on. So if I’m not quite up on things you’ll know why. The mail got mixed up while we were on the move but it will catch up with us soon.

Is Dennis still gaining weight and growing? He looks like a potential outfielder and slugger like his Dad and seems quite husky. The one picture that showed up real well has been on display out here. The boys seem to think he is quite a husky little boy. As soon as you get some more I’ll be glad to get them.

There is really no news here at all so this letter is necessarily dull. I am writing this so you will know that I am still trying to become a solider and still in good health.

We are supposed to move out of here within a month or so. Just where, we do not know of course. As soon as I know for sure still let you know.

Take care of yourself,

Joe