Somewhere
July 14, 1944
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
Well, believe it or not – today I received the silver chain & stationery. Surely took a long time, didn’t it?
We have all had a holiday today and nothing to do but loaf. This inactive time is worse on us than when we are busy. I think tho in a few more weeks we will be up where the fighting is. Also be on the look-out for a newer APO. We no more than get one until we move and get another.
I just got back from the local picture show and saw Bob Hope in “They Got Me Covered”. Now I have seen it three times. Occasionally we get real late shows but the majority are old and I have seen most of them in the States.
Chase still hasn’t left yet. His papers haven’t come back to release him. He is certainly impatient.
Morrison got his captaincy last week and I was very glad he did. He is one of the best fellows I know. My squadron seems to be holding up promotions for some reason but I probably won’t get one when they do come out. You see, I am not in our squadron politics and it was my own choice. I very seldom have a drink with them and I don’t play poker, so I don’t have much in common. I don’t mind, myself, but those will be the fellows to get the promotions. I just fly as “one of the boys” and let the others run the politics. I think I can get home quicker that way. I’ll soon have 400 hours combat time and that’s a lot. The only way one can get home from here now is by being physically unfit. That is the new rule. So if I stay in good shape I may be over here a long time. Guess I’ll have to get to ailing, eh?
Hnatio (naysho) is on leave & will be back this week. Lytle is going down tomorrow and I go in about 4 more weeks. I am ready for it, too. The raids we had kinda got on my nerves.
Our P.A. system still gives out with popular selections each evening from 5 til 9 and that is the best thing the squadron has to help morale. It is certainly nice.
I see in the paper that Stiles & Allen went out of business and it listed a few other changes. I imagine the ol’ home-town has changed a lot since I left. How big are the trees in the front yard? I’ll bet they are twice the size as when I saw them last.
Give the Wilkinsons, Caskeys, and Mrs. Kyle my regards – and the Aikens too. Mom, find out what became of John Henson. Wonder where he is?
Well, ‘bye for now and keep writing often. Don’t worry – I am O.K.
Love,
Son
