Nov. 10, 1944
Hello,
Well I feel pretty happy tonight about the mail situation. In two days I have received two letters. Yesterday I got your letter of Oct 20th and today the 23rd. I also heard today something about a shipment of our mail being sent somewhere else and should be coming in about Sunday. So if you sent any letters between the 17th and 20th they should come then. It might explain part of the week and a half I was without mail.
I was especially happy to get that letter today because it contained the first news I have had about yourselves in the last couple weeks. The one before that being more in mid week letter. I hope to hear the results of Uncle Floyd’s accident in one of the delayed letter or letters.
You just about guessed it when you said that I was somewhere traveling while you were writing the letter. I can just about imagine how Richard felt about the football game with Wabash. I hope that the Ben Davis game came out better.
If I had known that things were going to turn out like they did, I expect I would have done as Richard did and got a Senior ring. I thought that it would be only a very short time till I could be getting something else and a High School ring wouldn’t mean anything to me. But I feel that no longer than I have been in the service now, I would have gotten its value from it. There are so very few things that you can keep to remind you just a little of the outside that what you do have are worth a lot. My pen is about the only thing I can think of that I still have that I brought with me. I sure would hate to lose it. I guess that’s the reason why I hated to lose my little pearl handled knife so badly. By the way the knife Uncle Floyd gave me last Christmas is just about shot and I wonder how the knife situation looks back there. It’s a wonder I haven’t lost this one and I suppose I would if I had one that was worth anything. I’m not even in need but that’s just something you can remember when you want to tickle me.
When I got the letter today I was afraid you had spent an extra air mail stamp just to send me a stick or two of gum. Please don’t ever do that. I was glad that it turned out to be clippings instead of gum. But even that isn’t necessary. I would be just as happy to receive clippings by regular mail. Of course unless it’s something that just can’t keep. I was glad to get the poem by Mr. Robinson. The poem was pretty good but I felt that just hearing from him meant as much to me as the poem. I was just a little surprised though that something written by him should be printed in the Observer.
I believe that this is just about all I intended to say to you so unless more comes to my mind I’ll sign off. I have to think all day so that I’ll have something to write and then naturally I forgot about half of it. I’m doing OK and hope you are the same. Take care of yourselves.
Love, Donald
I’ll be Grandpa Carver got a great kick out of that pronunciation joke in the Observer if he read it.
10PM
I was out a while ago washing some clothes and taking a shower and thought of something else I want to tell you. I know I have intended to tell you this several times so if I’ve said it before, please excuse me.
If you read anything about the post-war benefits to the service men you know doubt know that we are supposed to get some help getting an education. But there is supposed to be proof of our education being interrupted.
I believe that my scholarship from Purdue would be a valuable aid in this so I would like to be sure that it is preserved. If you don’t mind I’d like for it to be put in the safe deposit box at Alex.
When I was home on furlough I tried to get things like this straightened up. I am pretty sure it is in a frame with my National Honor Card, Magna Cum Laude award, etc. But that’s as near as I can tell you where it is because things are bound to be moved in six months. Thanks a lot. Donald