Tuesday Night – September 12, 1944
Hello,
I’ve got a lot to say tonight but I may not get it all said. To begin with I am on guard tonight. I have already walked one shift from 6 to 8 and I’ve got one more to do. I’ll walk 12 to 2 and I hope that’ll finish me up. We’re supposed to get off tomorrow morning but I think our platoon has some sort of a test tomorrow and I may have to go on it.
As far as what I’ve been doing this week you can just about imagine what it has been. We ran a couple of firing problems yesterday afternoon and besides that it has been the same old routine.
Now I’ll get down to business. I’ll explain a little about the box I sent. It’s things I have to get rid of before we move. I hate to part with the stuff like glasses and flashlight but there are very few things other than what we are issued that we can keep. These things can be used if you need them. I don’t suppose I’ll ever want them. The kakkies were issued to me but I have some old ones that I got that I’m keeping in place of the,. We’ll either turn in our kakkies for new ones before we move or not take any anyway.
The stationery is part of what Gladys King sent me and for fear I’ll not need ot and have to get rid of it before I go, you can use it. THe cleaning fluid, first aid box and hat are mine and I just can’t take them.
I believe I’d like for you to keep the khakis and cap stuck away for me.
You can see that it won’t be long but even we don’t know when. They’ve told us to get our personal affairs taken care of. I’ve not got anything to make out a will for and since most of my savings is in bonds I don’t think I’ve got anything to worry about. Do you think of anything along this line?
There’s one little item that was brought out to us in a lecture the other day that I want to tell you about. They were discussing benefits to parents, etc., and of course questions came up about different things if you get killed. They told us if you are killed overseas that they don’t ship the body back now but after the war they will if it is so desired. Now this doesn’t make a particle of difference to me but it might to you. I hate to even mention things like this and don’t be alarmed. I hope you understand. It’s just an “in case” thing. I’ve told you now and you can look into it if you ever need and want to.
Now on pleasanter thoughts, I didn’t get to be at mail call tonight so I haven’t heard from you since Saturday. Hope everything is OK. I am doing fine and don’t worry about me. How’s school?
Love, Donald
Whenever we leave here our mail will be shut off for a while so whenever this happens don’t be alarmed. I wish as bad as you that I knew when this will be. I am hitting the hay.
Morning, September 13, 1944
As you can see by the date this day makes one year spent at this job. I sure started mu second year off fine – walking guard the first two hours and in the rain at that. It looks like we’ll get the morning off so I don’t feel so bad about the situation.
I sure hope to hear from you today. Pardon this messy letter. It’ll have to do under the circumstances. God bless you all.
Your son and brother,
Donald