Sunday July 23, 1944
Dear Folks,
Well I suppose by now you think something has happened to me. But as I have told you so often, there are times when I just can’t get around to writing as often as I want to. I might have written a little letter to you on Thursday but I just was too lazy. I went to bed instead. I hope you’ll forgive me this time.
And I can’t promise how much writing I’ll get done next week. We are starting tomorrow at about 4AM on a four day problem. I understand that we have a twenty mile hike to make tomorrow so it sounds like it is getting off to a good start.
We have been doing about the usual kind of work this week. We take about an hour’s hike each morning out to our training area and then spend the rest of the day running problems. Yesterday we had a regular drill day instead of an inspection but we stayed close to the company area and had classes an hour long instead of running all day problems. We had an hour of bayonet drill, an hour of gas mask training, a period of map reading, an hour of physical training, etc. For our physical training we took a thirty minute run and even though we have been doing a lot of hiking, I see that the calves of my legs are sore this morning.
I didn’t hear them call breakfast this morning so I didn’t get up for that. But I did wake up about eight o’clock and start writing, which is a good bit earlier than I generally stir on Sunday mornings. I’ll have to do most of my today for next week.
Just about the time I get ready to box up my watch and send it home it runs a little better. Then it quits again. Guess I’ll watch it a little longer. You needn’t send the box because I’ll send it with the bathing suit.
Richard didn’t have any ill effects over his little upset. I guess you’ll be able to watch the growth of the calf. Although I can see that there will be sentimental disadvantages of having it so close to home but the sentiment of it should be forgotten altogether.
Well it’s only about 20 minutes now till church time so I’ll sign off and finish later.
1:30PM
Since I stopped writing, I went to church, ate dinner and about have my pack rolled for tomorrow morning. I also attended mail call and received a letter from you which had been written on Friday.
If Richard can get a ride and other details taken care of I hope and expect that he will find day work a little easier and more enjoyable than night work. You asked about the athlete’s foot stuff and I can truthfully say that it has helped a lot. The athlete’s foot between my toes is practically gone and now I am trying to kill that ring worm on top of my feet (I expect you remember it).
Before I forget it I would like to ask you to drop a needle or two into one of your letters, if you can spare them. I have lost or broken all of the 3 or 4 I started with; but when I remember that they have lasted me for over 10 months, I can’t kick too much.
We had communication service at church this morning and I believe it is the first communion I have attended since I have been here.
Evening
I have done a little writing and a good bit of sleeping this afternoon. I’m going to the show this evening just to be doing something. It will cut my night a little but I’m going to do it anyway. I’ve not got enough news to start a new sheet.
Love, Donald