May 10, 1944

Dear Mom & Dad,

The PX is closed for inventory now so I have to write on this old paper I got at P.I. I guess it takes pretty long for mail to get out here. I got a letter from Mollie today and she said she had talked to you the after I had called and written me and I just got it today. Yesterday I got a letter from Bobby T. who is now overseas. He wrote it April 14 and I just got it yesterday. Julia had written him and said something about me and that’s how he knew I was in the Marines.

We aren’t doing much but just sitting around and washing what clothes we have dirty. Now I know why you wanted me not to wear my clothes till they got so dirty. I’ve found out through experience that they are easier to scrub clean if they don’t get so dirty.

I get mixed up in what I’ve written you and what I’ve written Julia but I think I told you about being a runner for the Lt. while we were camping those last 3 days at New River. Well when we left New River the platoons were split up and put on the train and then reorganized when we got here. Well Lt. W. our Lt. asked me if I would still be his runner. All I have to go is take a few messages around different places. When all the rest of the boys have to fall out for rifle inspection I don’t. I just have to stay within following distance of the Lt. Nice job.

Tell Dad not to make so many cabinets or he is liable to wear his trailer out. Ha! Ha! Tell dad Julia said the lot needed mowing and that was a hint to start the mower.

With love

Your son Joe