9 Oct. 44

Dear Dad,

Your Sept. 10 letter came recently. I have tried to answer it before this, but had little success – sinus headaches and all – you know. I have one now, but I do want to write and thank you for your letter. And, if I wait until this headache clears up - well God knows when I’ll write you a letter. Of course, the headaches aren’t pleasant – but I take them as just another one of those things. The nasal treatments do help some – and considering that they are very elementary – I feel very hopeful that later on I can wipe out or help clear up this nuisance altogether. Until then, I’ll just be patient and “sweat it out”.

Do you go on moving trips for Westinghouse now? I hope not very many – because Mom and Grandma would be alone at home. If your plans for moving to the farm are likely to develop next Spring or Summer I doubt very much if I will be able to help you at the farm. I certainly would like working better – myself – but one never knows when this damn war will be over. I try not to be optimistic – I’d rather be slightly pessimistic. Then, I’m more likely to be surprised if the war ends reasonably soon and not too disappointed if it ends much later. Then, even when it does end there is demobilization, etc, that is all going to take plenty of time. Nevertheless, there is nothing I think about – or care to think about as much as coming home again.

And there is nothing I will care to talk or think about less than the war once I get home again. I want to live a new life altogether. It shouldn’t be too hard to get started. We (Barbie and I) have about $250 in the bank right now – and then there is my war bonds but I don’t want to draw on those until a much later date, perhaps even ten years – full maturity time. But, seeing how we’ve saved now and how we can save while I’m still in the Army – well, we’ll do our best to “feather the nest.”

Yes, it does seem as though Paul has gone completely “batty over the Goyels.” He’d rather put it the other way around in his letter. Anyhow – I kind of envy him, since I didn’t go out with all of them before I found one I liked. He’ll come down to earth one of these days. Not too soon – I hope. I wrote him to have all the fun while he could. I really get a kick out of his letters – and does he ever give me a ribbing – says in a P.S. that he won’t pull his rank on me – and here I’ve been overseas as many months as he’s been in the Navy weeks (and believe me – I don’t mean to brag about it, either). It’s not too pleasant a thought to think that in 10 more days, it’ll be just a year ago [I] walked up the gangplank in New York, and have been right here almost as long.

Well, I certainly hope you all stay well this winter – please give my love to all – and remember me to my friends – especially the Blackwoods. I must write Girt one of these days.

As always, your loving son,

Chuck