Jan 20, 44

Dear Mom,

My arms are feeling all right now and we are really working now. To start this day off our hut had to do guard duty from 12A.M. to 2A.M. and it was kind of chilly. Then we had to get up at 6o’clock this morning. Today was 10^th day inspection day and a St. came around this morning and inspected all our clothes, which we had to lay out all a certain way. Then we had the St. inspect our rifles and he asked everyone in the platoon 3 or 4 questions and that took about 2½ hrs. After that we went to chow and just before we leave for chow we have mail call. I received a letter from you (Tues) and one from Sis. Sis told me about being 21 and the ring. I also received one from Midge.

This evening we had a test on the lectures we’ve had and on different things we’ve had in the manual.

I hope Preston gets settled so he can write me. I sent him a postcard with my address on it to his home but I don’t know whether he got it before he left or not? IF you know his address send it to me. I haven’t been really homesick but once and that was Sunday when we went to church. The Chaplin starts off just like we used to in Seague. “The sword is in his Holy Temple, set all the Earth keep silence before him.” Then we sang the Doxology like at church and that gave me a funny feeling.

Friday and Saturday night I felt a little homesick about staying around the hut when if I were home I could be at a party.

I sure was sorry to hear about Miss Bessie and no kidding I wish I were there but it is impossible I guess.

How is Bee getting along now? Tell her hello.

Please mail me my 2 sweatshirts and some cough medicine sometime.

We were given a stencil with our name on it and also a stamp with our name on it. We can mark all of our clothes now.

Let Dad read this.

With love,

Your Son Joe