Sunday Evening,

April 30, 1944

5/8/44,

Dear Folks:

I am on duty tonight so I have a chance to drop you a few lines. There isn’t, as usual very much news to tell but I just want you to know that I am still feeling fine. I say the same thing in every letter but that is how it is. The one bit of news I have for you this time is to tell you that your box came yesterday. It was the one containing chocolate marshmallow cakes, Toll House cookies and the candy bars. Do you know which one I am referring to? I don’t think there was any number on the box. The box was in very good shape when it arrived so you can see we are having luck along that line. All of them have been intact when they arrived here. They have a long way to come but they make it without any trouble just like I did. I sure did go for those cakes and the candy. Living in the open like we do in the artillery sure does give you a big appetite and the candy and cakes sure hit the spot. Thank a lot for your trouble and time in sending the box to me. Those chocolate marshmallow cakes were especially good, how did you remember that I liked them so much? I can remember when I would take Ma up to the A&P to buy things a few pennies less and then I would turn right around and get her to buy some cakes or candy to make the bill higher. Ma never saved any money when I took her to the store.

My surprise, that I have told you about has been delayed a little but it is due any day now. Just be a little patient and I will relay it to you as fast as I can. Don’t be expecting too much now or you will perhaps be a little disappointed. Just sit tight and I will get it to you as soon as possible.

I received another Post today and that makes about 6 or 7 behind that I will have to catch up on. All I need is a weak or so off to catch up.

I enjoyed reading the piece about Eddie and I in the paper. Mrs. Sinpson must have put it in, as Eddie said he was going to write home as soon a she could, Dad asked about the Coca Cola Cola and Pepsi Cola situation was over here. Well it is bad over here as far as these things are concerned… the only place where you can get them is in the Red Cress. The people don’t seem to go for the soft drinks very much over here. They have a lot of pubs where they sell beer and bitters.

While Eddie and I were in London we had some Cokes at the Red Cross Club and they were the first ones I had since we got here. The Red Cross is the best place to go for a meal over here as the civilian restaurants don’t have very much of anything. We don’t like to eat all of their stuff up anyhow. We had a very good meal at camp here tonight, white meat of chicken, gravy, potatoes, peas, fruit salad and coffee. Boy but it was good. I still have my very good appetite and I really put it away.

There was a movie at the camp tonight but I am on duty so I missed it. It was a Wallace Berry show so I guess I didn’t miss very much. There is another one on tomorrow night so I will probably take it in. Mass today was at 7:30 PM and I was there.

I will go back to reading my Post now. You can send me more candy if you are able to do it. I have plenty of soap, to the powder and other toilet articles so you need not send me any more for quite some time.

I am still using my sleeping bad Dad and I’m mighty fond of that $9.00 bargain of mine. We are in Pup tents you see and we sleep right in the bed rolls. I use my blankets as a cushion and place the sleeping bag over the blankets. The bag is warm as toast without blankets so I don’t use any in the sleeping bag itself. I sure hate to get out of it on the morning though. Since I got in the army though I have got back in the habit of night sleeping again…..I would have a hard time getting back on the third shift routine now. I used to be able to stay up at night’s without any trouble at Wright’s but now when the sun goes down I get tired and want to sleep. So I guess I’m back to normal as far as that is concerned.

Today I sent in my laundry and dry cleaning. We have those services over here now so I don’t have to do those things myself. I am keeping the soap powder, OX ODOL or something I think it is for future use though. I will have a chance to use it I know. Lots of times I need to do my own socks so I just dash them off myself and hang them out to dry. It isn’t hard to do them and I always manage to get them clean.

There certainly is something wrong with the mail on your end of this circuit. I always write at least twice a week to you so you should get at least on a week. Mail to me has been very good…I got one in 6 days which is the record so far. It will most likely improve though.

I hope Helen makes out well with this new dentist. I don’t care for these fellows who make you wait a long time for an appointment and then only work on you for a few minutes. It is good she has Betty to go along with her as it is always a relief to have some one to talk to especially in the doctor’s office.

I didn’t hear that Jack Benny show yet but we may have it soon. Tonight I heard the Hit Parade on the radio.

Ill close now and get this in the outgoing box. I hope my big brother has been home lately and will stay where he is. Give my regards to Estelle and Dennis. I got that Fordham thing you sent me…thanks for sending it to me even though it was just asking for a donation. Ma asked if I wanted any underclothes or socks….well if there is room in one of the boxes you might send me 1 or 2 pairs of wool socks.. I very seldom wear the cottons. Those long wool socks are the best. By the way did I ever tell you that those heavy wool green socks that I got home came in very handy. They are ideal for a real cold day. I have plenty of underwear so I don’t send any of them.

Goodbye for now and take care of yourselves. I will take good care of myself, rest assured.

Love,

Joe