December 25, 1943

Dear Mom.

             Enclosed you will find a copy of that insurance policy.  Keep it because it’s necessary that you have it.  Christmas dinner today was very good we had all that anybody else has.  I stuffed myself with everything in view.  We also seen a show called “Old Oklahoma” the third since I’ve been here.

            This pen I’m using belongs to the kid in the next bunk and a pencil I find is much more handy to write with. I’m writing lots more letters these days and it’s more convenient.  I hope you had a nice time even though I wasn’t there.  Seems like I’m getting my head swelled properly.  There’s a lot of candy floating around here and at no time have I eaten so much.  There’s nothing else to do around here and if there was I wouldn’t chew this stuff.

             There’s a black kitten that’s the mascot of a barracks down the line and it’s the pride of the platoon.  If anyone down there ever lost that kitten there’d be a lot of misery in store for those boys.  He’s the drill instructor’s favorite.      

            One of our Drill Instructors got hold of some booze last night and he’s been sleeping off a jog all day.  He looks like hell today.  It makes me think of the good old days in Cleveland when I was operating under full steam.

            That dollar you sent me is gone already.  It went as a Christmas gift to the Drill Instructors.  They got $40.00 apiece so the chances are that’s where one of them got that terrific load.

            We smoke a lot here nights for want of something else to do.  The only 2 forms of dissipation I can no longer indulge in is booze and Betty.  I don’t miss booze but I miss Betty.  That picture of her makes the girl friends and wives of those guys look like shadows.  She’s a real nice girl and a scream to laugh at when she’s about half stiff though she don’t often get that way.

            Don’t get the idea that because I mention money now and then that I need any.  I’ll let you know when the time comes.  I’ve had 6 cents in my pocket for the last 2 weeks and it looks like it will stay there till I get home.  Don’t be surprised if I’m a first class private when I get back, it will depend on how much ambition I can work up before furlough time comes.  It’s not important one way or the other.  I’ll bet Wally and the rest envy me because I’m in the Marines.  These guys put a lot of stock in uniforms, snappy marching, etc. but it’s all baloney as far as I’m concerned.  The Cleveland Police Department is the only place I’ll ever be contented.  I’m glad that that is permanent.  I also miss music, there’s probably lots of nice music going on these days that I never heard of.  Looks like my next station will be New River, North Carolina.  I hope it’s not San Diego.  That’s too far from home.  I’m making out all right and should have 5 days home when furlough time comes.  I can hardly wait to see you again and enjoy the comfort of a home.  Say hello to Mollie and tell her to take care of herself that applies to you also.  Watch that flu epidemic!

                                                                        Lots of Love.

                                                                                     Bunny.