August 21, 1944

My Darling,

Am a little ahead of schedule today and am writing to you at lunchtime instead of in the evening as I usually do. However the letter will probably run over till evening. I worship, Baby.

Expect a touch up today thus we should be getting some mail. How I look forward to mail from home, especially yours. As I am impatient I always read your letters first no matter how many I get from other people. Suppose if I were wise I would leave them till last, saving the good things for the end but I have never done things that way.

Have quite an interesting bit of news concerning our boy Joe Flaherty. He is now a medic! You can remember with what contempt we always regarded the medics. He still feels the same way but as Joe is convalescing, what lazier job could he find! “Doc” Carter the Captain in charge is as fine a fellow as you could expect to meet and is cordially liked by all. I have spent many as pleasant hour conversing with him and find him extremely interesting. Needless to say Joe finds he likes working with him. As I have been going over to the dispensary everyday to have my feet painted in an effort to clean up this ‘athlete’s foot’, Joe has been attending to my needs. He is learning very quickly and I sincerely hope he has finally found his place as the poor kid has been more as odds since he came in the army than any of the rest of us. Believe me that is saying something. He takes an awful riding though as everybody calls him “Dad, Young Dr. Hildare, Pill Roller”, etc. If he is wise he will pay little attention as what Capt. Carter can teach him will always stand him in good stead.

Speaking of medics was happy and relieved to hear in your letters that you are feeling like yourself again. You mean so much to me Darling that it pains me to hear you have been afflicted with any nicknames however slight it may be. For my sake sweetheart take care of yourself as upon my return to civilian life we have many things to accomplish together. Without you I am lost. I liken our life and success to that of a tree. You are the root of I the tree. The tree grows only as high as the root is strong. That is an old Chinese proverb Baby and believe me I bear your only good in comparing you to the roots.

Shall end for me now.

All my love, Harren