Jan. 5, 1944
Dear Mom.
Excuse
me for not writing for the last 2 days or so but I’ll have to submit the usual excuse
of being busy-there’s no other reason for me not writing. News is around that
we may get out of here sooner than expected. But as nothing is definite until
the last minute, don’t count on it. Did I tell you Pearl sent me cigarettes? They came in handy
and were about out. Don’t you send me any, I have enough to last I think. I
fired the M.I. (rifle) today and it’s noisier than hell. I’m continuing to get
by all right yet and from the way things look there’ll be no friction between
the Corps and me. I can’t afford a bad record of any kind now. Especially as I’m a public servant. I trust you are well and
taking the proper care of yourself since that is the most important to both of
us. The winter is beginning to end here so some of these southerners tell me
and my face is quite sunburned. I look well at least that is what you would
say-no bags under the eyes. It’s a constant battle to keep the body clean and
all I’m doing is breaking even. There are showers and things, but we don’t have
time to use them properly the way we operate here. I’m trying to figure out how
I can go so long without spending any money. I owe a kid 84¢ for smokes and
another kid owes me 50¢ so all my debts amount to here is 34¢. How’s that for managing. Some of these guys
have lost around a hundred dollars gambling, and they buy milk, candy, etc. to
the tune of quite a bit each day. I don’t miss anything like that here. Hope
Cleveland’s weather isn’t too bad when I get home because maybe I can’t take
cold weather like I used to. Probably will have little time to write in the
next few days because these guys think shooting is the most important thing in
the world. Did you welcome Tom with open arms? Call Frank and tell him to write
more often. Thank Pearl
for me to. I’m going to try to have a good time when I get home because leaves
after that one will be very very scarce. Say hello to
Mollie for me when you write let me know how she is. Take care of yourself and
I’ll write the 1st chance I get.
Loads
of Love,
Bun.