October 23, 1944

My Dearest Sweetest Dolly;

The mail is slowed down again. I haven’t had a letter from my lovable little wife for three days. So I’ll have a bunch of them again, and I can’t wait until they come. Do you know how much I love you? If I started to tell you now until the end of time, I couldn’t tell you enough.

I finally went to a show last night. You see the way they were letting them go was two at a time, and the way they picked them was to draw cards and the highest two cards were able to go. Well you know me? It ended up there was only four of us that hadn’t gone, so we drew, and then they decided to let me go anyhow. The show was pretty good. But do you know the first thing they showed on the screen? Paramount Pictures. It was short; about sailors. But my little mama had her hand in it. Then the main show was Take it or Leave it. Have you seen that show? I know most of the old pictures it showed were ones we saw together. I thought we were going to go to a regular show; you know a theatre with seats and all. It was a big barn and [had] boxes to sit on, but we were late so we had to stand. I was in back of a fellow that made Pickles look like a midget, and when I would move to look around him he would move, and by the time I crowded around in front of him the show was over.

Schwartz says that Paris is swell, about the only way I’ll get to see it is to go there after the war is over, and there is only one place I want to go after the war and that is home to you.

The ones that went out on pass came back really disgusted. I guess every place is off limits except the Red Cross. I asked Tiny what he saw; he told me a two headed cow. So I think I will just stay in my little old pup tent, and not even try to go anyplace.

They gave some decorations or something to three guys in the outfit, and do you know what one of their names is? Mike Riedee. I just about jumped out of my overshoes, when they called out his name. I almost expected to see Mike go strutting up there. But this guy would make three of him.

I only saw Parker for a minute today, and before I could ever say hello, he wanted to know when this so and so war was going to end. He gets so darn disgusted at times. I guess we all do.

We got our rations today; four candy bars and 6 packages of cigarettes, and Pappy the old devil ate every one of his bars already and now he is trying to get mine. I’ll cut his hand off. He has a tough time with his aches and pains, the more it nags him, the more he gets.

I should write a letter to Mom, do you know it? I feel so darn bad because I haven’t. You tell her I was thinking about her. She must be home by now. You will get this by then, end of this month. I wish it would only take a day to get to you.

Some smart guy said this morning there was only sixty-two days until Xmas. It made me wish I was home more than ever. If this war is over [it] will be enough presents for me for years. I hope I can get you the nicest present in town for next Xmas. Boy I am way in debt to you aren’t I? I’ll get you paid back honey. I’ll love you always.

How is Pete? Mary Alice? That was funny the way you told about Pete painting. I just hope she never gets the idea she is a paper hanger. She would keep us both busy then.

My sweetest little darling precious wife; I’ve come to the end, and I’ll love you a million times more in the next letter.

Your Ever Loving,

Giles