February 24, 1944

Dear Mom & Dad,

Well we got our orders today and on the 29^th I am going to New River N.C. and will be in the “Fleet Marines”. They said we would get our furlough after we had been there a day. I guess they send us to our next base and get us settled before we go on our furlough. I guess I will get home on about the third or fourth of the month.

Today we had 40^th day inspection. We had to lay all of our clothes out on our bed in a special order and it was inspected by a St. Then we went out on the Parade field and our platoon drilled before the St. We also had rifle inspection.

Yesterday we had a big parade with all the battalions. There are about 300 men in a battalion (15 across and 20 rows back). I was on the end and was guide man for the other 14 Men. I thought about the V.M.I. cadets as we were passing the Col. in Review. I’m glad to hear somebody is asking about me as you said they were in your last letter.

Yes I did see Essie H. the time we played Clifton Forge. She was a cheerleader. Did you give Julia her “L” that I had? That sure is a lot of soldiers you all had down there the other night. I sure would liked to have been there to see them come in.

I received the train schedule oh, but I don’t guess it will do much good. They help pinch our route home.

I received the County News and really enjoyed reading it. I read more of it this time than I ever did at home.

Well I’m going to stop now and go to the show. We go to an out side theatre. We take our blankets along and get in them and set on the sand.

Tell Dad and Spot hello and to keep well.

With lots of love-

Your Son

Joe