Friday, 2100

Dec. 1, 1944

My Dearest Marguerite:

As usual I just finished working. I am kept awfully busy during the day and part of the night. I don’t even get time to think of you anymore. The only time I have with you is when I sit down and try to write a letter. I had a couple of shots today and my arm feels a little stiff. I was due anyway this month.

Your new stationary is very nice honey. It brightens things up. I like when they smell good, it reminds me so much of you, and I love you. I am awfully tired tonight again, lonesome and unhappy. But I’ll be alright by morning. Sleep always helps me. As you say there are better days ahead but way ahead. The way the newspaper state they don’t think it will ever be over. Maybe I can retire when I am 55 then the kid will take over. This war may well go on for generations and the way things look it will. But the army isn’t too bad a life, just depends what camp or fort or theater of operation a person is in. Maybe I’ll even be like some of the soldiers last war [and] stay around France as an army of occupation. They say France is alright.

I think I have the shower situation in hand now. It is always pretty late when I go in the barrack to clean up and go to bed, so when I get in the water it is good and hot. (Sometimes you can even add cold water). If there is anything I hate more is cold water. I’d sooner stay dirty, and usually do so.

I don’t think you will have to worry much about keeping yourself beautiful. You always seemed that way to me; anyway you will have a lot of time to practice.

It is still cold here, and a few flakes of snow come down every once in awhile. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it lets lose one of these days.

I wish you wouldn’t count on my coming home so much. You may be in for a big disappointment, and I’d had to see that. I can’t promise a thing. I really don’t think I’ll get home at all before I go. Our time is very short here, about g9 days or maybe a few more or less, and I (dammit) happen to have a very responsible job right now, clothing the whole company, and it really is a job, probably the biggest that has come my way. How often I wished I could be a private again. No worries, and nothing to keep me from coming home. I would like to spend Christmas with you again. Who knows maybe I’ll be with you again. That sure would be a treat for me. I have been thinking of the last three Decembers I have had. It’s very funny. For the last three years at this time I was always in an alerted or hot company, whatever you want to call it, and I am here yet. They say it can happen twice, but not a third time and I am pretty sure it won’t happen this time. It’s the real thing.

Also, honey I had two letters from you today (probably won’t have one tomorrow) Keep up the good work. I need you for a moral booster.

I too, had a letter from mother this week. She says….. [continued on another page]