December 20, 1943

Dear Mom,

I just sent a thank you note to Inspector Lenaban for the fine favor he done me before I left. It was written so that he’ll think I’m a Cleveland prize copper!

Tonight my conscience is clear as a bell. My record for two days inspection is good, my rifle was spotless and Captain Malmar said I knew my stuff. The Drill Instructor was present when he said so, so alls well so far. I hope it stays that way. Pearl sent me a Christmas card too. We’ve been fooling around with chemical warfare (poison gas etc.). We had to run a hundred yards with gas masks on. These masks only supply 50% of normal oxygen intake. It was murder, I thought I’d strangle before I made the 50 yard mark but the thing is, I made it O.K. It shows that you never know what’s going to happen here next. This chemical warfare is the most devilish thing the human brain has ever conceived. Both sides are afraid of the gas but the Japs will use it first in a surprise attack if it’s going to be used at all. Enough of that.

We’ll have a Christmas tree in the barracks, but no lights on it. The only thing that will make me feel bad is that I’m not with you this year. Otherwise, Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and April Fool’s Day don’t raise my blood pressure much. Some of these kids are homesick and lonely. I wish I was home but it don’t show on me much. I wish Pete Nastasi were here for a buddy. The kid in the bunk above me is named Fields and he’s helpless as a crippled duck. If they make a Marine out of him it’s a strange world. I wrote Angie and Louie short letters also. By the way if you will please send me a couple of coat hangars, I’ve got an awful lot of equipment to hang up and take care of.

My arms were sore for a while because they are always shooting something into them. Maybe I’ll wind up a dope fiend before this is over. If you should happen to run into Donnie tell her I said Merry Christmas to her and the family, she’s a nice girl.

The squad leader (I’m assistant) is from Sandusky and knows the Carrolls. I can hardly wait till furlough time to be home again and see the neighborhood. You’ll have to show me around again because my mind will still be filled with this unfamiliar military matter.

When you write let me know how you are faring since that’s the best news possible. Don’t worry about me, I’ll get by. If you can, sell the car as soon as possible. Tell Mollie I hope she’s getting along all right also. She’s been very good to me, and I’m sorry if I ever lost my temper, really. Both of you take care of yourself all the time. These guys all have pictures of their wives and girl friends in their locker boxes. That one I have home makes the rest look very poor by comparison. She’s a scream. I laughed till I was sick at her in Chins the Cabin Club, Monoco’s, Southern Tavern and various grog shops all over town. She’s a swell playmate and loads of fun. Say hello for me if you meet in one of the stores.

I heard there’s lots of snow in Cleveland. Don’t bother sweeping off the sidewalks. The snows and cold have got the south beat hands down far as I’m concerned. The only thing it’s good for is quail shooting.

I’ll have a snappy outfit on when I come back, but if we had overalls for a dress uniform it would be immaterial to me. Wally is nuts about a Marine’s uniform. Too bad we can’t change places. Take care of yourself and remember Medicine and milk and don’t lift anything too heavy.

Love and Lots of it,

Bun.