Nov. 23, 1942

Dear Mother:

We left Camp Crowder at 2 P.M. Sunday and traveled through Arkansas and Oklahoma and saw so many things I can’t remember them all.

On the back of one of the cards I am enclosing is a further description.

I saw all kinds of hills and mountains some of them are quite large. And the homes that some of the people live in are just like chicken houses. No paint or anything. They are regular hillbillies.

I will write further details when I have time.

We have to go to school tonight at 4 P.M. to 12 P.M. This is the night shift.

Next week we go on the day shift. It all deals with radio and we also have one hour of drill a day.

I would like to have my camera case and outdoor exposure guide. Not any of the attachments. The film is in the camera so you don’t need to touch that. I also would like a couple of rolls of Regular Kodachrome film and my exposure guide for this color film. The exposure guides are marked what kind they are. Leave the camera in the case and put it and the other stuff in a box packing well with excelsor or some other shock absorbing material so as not to damage the camera.

I would like to have the camera by the end of this week if possible. But don’t rush around breaking your neck trying to get it here. Just take your time and pack it well. Also insure it for about ^$75. Mark the package handle with care.

We are in a big hotel in a private room with private bath & toilet. Boy it sure is swell. It’s a swell town too.

The people here have a lot of respect for soldiers. As well as the porters on the Louther Belle. They went out of their way to see that we had plenty to eat and were comfortable.

Bob **** form the Heights is my room mate. He is a good friend w/ Art *****.

We have our own restaurant for soldiers only.

The soldiers are getting the best of food and the public is getting the seconds. We came from Texas on a local train.

Will write further details later.

Put the cards in my album. Enclose also is a permanent.

Your son,

Melvin