Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 23, 1944

Dear Sonny,

Things do happen fast in the army. We never know what to expect.

I had been looking for a letter from you for two days, and instead I received your telegram on Tuesday at eleven A.M. (August 22^nd). I certainly was disappointed. It seems it is just one shock after another. I will just have to brace myself up for just such things. There isn’t anything else we can do about it. I think you did the best thing by going with the fellows you know. You might of had to go later any way with another crowd and it might have been worse for you.

I know it is hard Sonny, but as I said we can’t do a thing about it, so just make the best of everything, and let God take care of us all.

I received your letter today (Wednesday 8:30 A.M.) and I am writing to you soon after I received it.

I was waiting anxiously for your letter, after I had received the telegram.

From what you say about your trip to Georgia it wasn’t so bad. It is terrible riding when they stop at every white wash fence.

Marie and I wrote you a letter and I sent the cakes that I had packed for you before you left home. Did you get them before you left Westover?

Jane also wrote you a letter. That is three letters and a package we sent to Westover.

Before you left Florida there were about three letters sent there.

Do you ever get these things when you move?

It is too bad you didn’t stay at Westover for a while Sonny, but it is just one of those things we have to make the best of.

I have a pair of your shorts and two handkerchiefs that I came across after you left. Shall I send them to you? Let me know if there is anything else you want.

Sonny, please write to me as often as you can. If you could only imagine how I look for your letters, you would write more often.

As I said before if you don’t have much to write about, just write a few lines and let me know you are alright, just so I hear from you.

Now that you have started flying Sonny, please go to Mass as often as you can, you don’t have to wait for Sunday to go, and go to confession and Holy communion as often as you can too, ask God to take care of you and your whole crew. Ask the Blessed Mother and St Joseph to protect you all at all times, and ask your guardian angel to fly with you and guard and protect you all on all of your trips. You know how accidents happen every day. Don’t forget to pray.

If you go to New York, and have any time at all that you can come home, I hope you will. No matter how little time it will be.

If you don’t go to New York and go somewhere else, try to come home, if you can possibly make it, no matter where you go.

Have you gotten any of your pay yet? And Sonny, that is why I want you to be a little more careful in saving your money, so that if you can come home at any time you will have money enough to come home.

It is always nice to have some money that you can fall back on when you need it, so be careful with it. If you have some that you can save, send it home and I will save it for you, it is always yours when you need it.

Dad and Marie are well and working. Bootsie and myself are well also... all of our friends and neighbors have all been asking for you. It didn’t do any good sending all the address cards. I will tell them about you moving again.

Write and let me know how you are getting along. I will be waiting to hear from you soon.

Loads of love and best wishes from us all and God Bless you.

From your loving Mother.