12:30 P.M.

Nov. 1, 1942

Dear Mother,

I received the hangers the other day in perfect shape.  And also the star, but please don’t send me the star every week, because I won’t have time to read it.  Of course I have time sometimes but usually I have other things to do.  If one is lucky enough to get into the wash room to wash and take a shower early enough then we have a lot of time to spare.  In order to save a lot of time everything must be done systematically. 

On Sunday mornings we don’t have to get up at 5:30, we can sleep as long as we want.  Some of the boys are still sleeping now.  I got up at 8:30 A.M. in order to be at church at 9:00.  I saw Lester Enuig there and he said Norman Albrecht was supposed to be there too, but he didn’t show up.  Norman only lives a short distance from me, but I haven’t seen him yet.

If you ever want to see a really blue sky you want to be here in Missouri where there isn’t any smoke to cloud it over.  And at night the sky is just full of stars, more than you’ll ever see back there because the sky is so much clearer.  The other night while saluting for a retreat a big flock of geese went across my vision into the southwest.  I know weigh 190 pounds.  I hear bacon, ham, etc. is hard to get back there. Well there’s no shortage here, plenty of everything.  We have ice cream many times a week also pie and cake many times a week.  Some of the companies complain of their food, but our company has the best cooks in the camp.  Each company has its own mess hall.  Each company has about 400 men and that’s all that eats in the mess hall.

Enclosed are a couple of chapel programs from last Sunday and today.

I got a letter from the minister and he said Luther enlisted in the air corp.

I also got a letter from Clarence and Harriet said she would send some cookies and fudge, I wish she’d hurry up and send them.  That’s about the only kind of presents we can get because there is no room for close and we’re only supposed to have the army issue stuff anyhow.  All other stuff is only a burden.  If I ever need anything I will let you know.

I would like to know what kind of shoe polishing kits have and sewing kits for soldiers.  Now I don’t need any yet.  I first want to know what they are like, so if you see some around why write and tell me about them.  Do not buy them. 

Well I can’t think of anymore.  I saw “Manila Calling” last night.  It’s a pretty good show.  Saw “Wake Island” the other night.  It’s very good.  “Fighting Tiger’s” on tonight, I guess I’ll see it.  Well till the next time.  Don’t forget to write.

Your Son,

                                                            Melvin