16 January 1944

Dear Mom

I got a fountain pen as a Christmas gift from someone so I’m using it to write you. I’ve done some rotten shooting the last few days but its not important whether I even qualify or not as far as I’m concerned or even if I never make P.F.C. I came in as a private and I’ll leave that way. This is one place where ambition doesn’t touch me. It’s rained so much I think we may have to spend a few more days than scheduled here but it’s not definite. About two weeks before I leave I want you to send me thirty dollars. As yet what train fare will cost I don’t know, and I may have to buy a roundtrip ticket to my next base so that I won’t be any to much dough. Out of that will have to come garrison cap and whatever else I may need so maybe you better make it 35.00. I’ll let you know in plenty of time when to send it. The best way is to mail it cash in a registered letter. It isn’t daybreak yet as I write this, and raining very bad. It will take a long long time to come home on these troop trains so a lot of my furlough will be eaten up on trains. I’ll probably be dirty when I get home with an unpressed uniform etc. Henry answered my letter and it looks like he may shove off soon. I hope it rains all day so I can sleep or try to in this bedroom. I still haven’t been in a P.X. guessed I’m the only one in the platoon who hasn’t. One of these days I ought to be getting a letter from somebody else besides you and Frank meaning Mary. Seems she could find a little time to write. One more pay is coming so what it will amount I don’t know, but it will be small. I hope you don’t think I’m asking for too much money. I’ll probably have less (I know I will) than anybody else in the barracks, most of them have around $90.00 altogether. I’m about out of smokes so I’ll buy a new supply which will last me for the rest of my stay here. You’ll get a war bond from Cletraca Christmas gift in a few days so hang onto it for me, if I’m short I’ll cash in a few for small change when I get back because I’m going to need money to operate. This will be my last furlough home for the duration, so I’m going to have a hell of a good time. Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying as meaning one big carouse. There’ll be a goodly amount of drinking done naturally. I’m in the marines, not the army so our rare furloughs have to be enjoyed some way or other and boozing around town is about the only thing they can do. Don’t worry about me when I get back, you haven’t got anything to worry about so calm down. How neat I’ll look to please the neighbors’ vanity and create a sense of tranquility in their minds concerning their investment in war bonds is a matter yet to be decided. So Steve (jughead) shoved off to California. It’s a good place for him, nobody wants him on 1284 St. He was trying to get Betty out on a few dates and did twice but she just laughs at him. He tried to make a big impression by spending a lot of money but it soaked through his head finally that he didn’t rate very high so he gave up. He asked her once why she ran around with “that bren Tuite.” He’d give his right arm for a chance to play with her, and the neighborhood knows it, but I was the bright boy around there. Schaga Sttetenfield and Wheatley Angie also gave me a lot of compliments they wished they could too and they envy me quite a lot. Oh Well enough of that. It’s starting to break day and we may have to shove off any minute. I’m trying to figure out a way to get my uniform pressed and cleaned, coat too, because they’ll look like hell when I get back and I won’t have anything to wear while they’re busy cleaned since we only get one pair of dress green pants. Maybe Schwartz will do a hurry up job. I hope those damn neighbors gossip their heads off and to hell with all of them from me. I’ll sign off now and next time you hear from me I’ll let you know what to do about that bundle. Take care of yourself and Mollie and the Cat. Let me know if you sold the car yet and one of these days I’ll be back.

Love

Bun.