Germany
March 17
Dear Folks,
Perhaps this won’t be mailed for a couple of days or so but I’ve just a little time now so I’ll write something or other. I say that because right now I can’t think of enough news to really write a letter. I sure hope to be getting some mail one of these days and then at least I’ll have a letter to answer. There’ll be a little handful to read when I get them no doubt. I could almost get a little homesick right now trying to think what may be happening back there. Boy I wish this war were over and I could really be home. I guess that really will be a great day when I can hit the U.S. again. Being 7 or 8 hundred miles from home used to seem like a long distance but now I’d even be glad to be that close.
I guess one good we (those of us who really have seen things) are going to get from all of this is the ability to appreciate what we have. After really getting along on nothing for a while even bare necessities are sure appreciated. A chance to clean up and a place to lay down (even if it’s only a corner of the floor with a blanket over you) makes you feel like a king. A real vacation at home is something to dream about. Just think sleeping as long as you want, eating all you want of really good cooking and in general just doing what you want to!
I can’t complain too much about the last few days though. We’ve been still enough that we can get hot meals and can sleep inside.
March 20
Happy Birthday Mother!
This is sure a spread out letter but I’ll get it sent before too much longer now. I finally got some mail yesterday evening. There were four letters from you Feb 23 to March 5. I don’t think I’ll have time this morning to answer them but I was happy to just learn a little about what Richard found out. He has now taken his examination and knows for sure about getting into the Navy. Of course, I’m interested in that. I also got your little box containing the pocket knife. I think I recognize it and sure hope no one sacrificed his personal knife just so I could have one. Thanks. I’ll finish up in the next letter.
Love, Donald