25 March 1944

Sweet Lady,

I was indeed pleased on receiving your letter this morning to hear that your mother appears to be some better and that your situation is easing up somewhat. I do hope that it continues.

I enjoyed your letter about Brant and the mattress. Imagine that and the “shock”. Boy oh boy! I know that he has always been very prone to “take” all the honors and attentions due or not due him as the big shot but that is one for the book. He is a likeable guy tho and good company. However for the last few years he has only been marking time for retirement and has not been a great help to the cause. But Smith as his replacement is intolerable as far as I am concerned. I am glad that I am not working for that guy. I used to think that Charlie was a little rabid but since then am convinced that he is probably right. Charlie is not going to like that I’ll tell you, tho I personally bet that Smith won’t get it, but that someone from outside comes in to take the job. Wait and see.

Your news about the OCS to SA was interesting dear. I had no idea but that should make SA worse than ever. Well anyway we have our little abode there and even if you do think that it is crowded with two therein I intend to crowd in just the same. In fact I intend to do some elbowing and mooching after I am in. I am not going to be the one who is constantly being shoved over. Even with my new light weight I feel I have enough left to hold my own in a shoving contest. Besides that I am in good shape and probably can last out.

About the leave dearest girl; I will try to time it about the date that you mention. Most definitely, most definitely. I am in a dither to know just what you have planned in your mind and I will be agreeable. Just remember one thing or two. If it involves a train and accommodations etc. you had better make very close inquiry about it, for I know from close touch with it, that things are very difficult along those lines. I agree with you that the NY trip would just about clean us out due to the expense. The transportation part of it alone runs into big money. A guy sure misses the old automobile when he wants to go someplace or do something. Let me know what you have in mind sweet and don’t keep a guy wandering around in a daze like this. My transportation back will have to be considered and you just telling me were to meet you is not so simple. I am trying several different angles. The Navy to Miami, the Army to Miami, The Navy to Corpus Christi very little chance, The Army to Guatemala thence by PAA to SA(expensive), My own ship direct to SA little chance but some, and other angles. SO, you see that where I am to meet you makes some difference. But just as long as I meet you is the BIG thing. Let me know the dope. Once I get the leave I can make the date flexible with in a few days. The transportation is the thing that will make the date inflexible. You take that when you can get it, and plenty glad to get it. We have a back-log of several hundred down here in that respect being in a rather advantageous position so to speak, I am a little better off but it is still plenty difficult to make sure plans ahead.

25 March 1994

I am in the midst of doing some reorganizing and shifting here at the present time so I am busy again for a spell.

Honeybuncher, I will close again which I seem to be ever doing. However I send all my love in doing so and a flock of love and kisses at the same time. Adios.

Edwin