Tuesday Evening – August 22, 1944
Hello Folks,
This has sure been a big day as far as getting mail is concerned. At noon today I got your package and then tonight I heard from you again through your weekend letter. I don’t usually get it till Wednesday but it got here in quick time this week.
I also got a big box of my clothes, etc. sent out this morning. I saved enough extra pairs of underwear, sox and things to keep me going so I’ll have some more to send later. If you can put anything to use, go right ahead. I hated to part with my little Bible but I am afraid I may not be able to give it good care so by parting with it now I’ll have it for later. The fatigues – I bought myself in Ft. Benning – wear them if needed. I may ask you to send me a few of the things like the wristlets but I can’t take them along with me. Don’t become overly excited because of this as I don’t suppose we’ll leave for a month yet. In fact we are all more or less secretly hoping to get home once more.
We are right now sort of having some of the basic training subjects mostly for the benefit of the new men. We had a very nice rain this evening but it really soaked us before we got in.
Richard asked if I fired the bazooka the other day and I must tell him I didn’t. In fact it just hasn’t come my luck to fire one yet. Many of the fellows have though and it’ll around so that I’ll get to one of these days. Richard would also be interested in knowing that I was a radio operator in the big battalion firing problem we had last Wednesday and Thursday.
It is easy for me to tell that Daddy is pretty thrilled about his job and I admit that I get excited myself when I think about it. I was just thinking this evening how proud, even through their worrying, that Grandpa and Grandma Tappan would be.
I don’t know hardly what to say about my watch but since I once made up my mind I hate to change it. My biggest objection is its conspicuousness. There have been a few things taken here and I’d hate to lose it. Will you please just go on and see what you can do about getting another. After the first of the month I’ll be able to spare some money to take care of it.
My Gruen seems to be running now better than it ever did. I don’t dare wear it during the day but I have it on from the time I get in of an evening till I am almost ready to go out the next morning. It got a little dirt between the face and the crystal when I was wearing it all the time but no doubt it can be taken out.
Well this isn’t very long but at least I haven’t had to fill up a lot of space with a rehash of what I’ve been doing. Hope everything is well with you.
Love, Donald