August 31, 1942

Dearest Hal,

It seems so long since you wrote us a letter. The package you sent us finally came but we can’t get it out of the post office at least you said not to pay the duty so we wrote to Washington about it and have not had an answer yet. My curiosity has just about gotten the best of me. Did you ever get the cigars and the other box of powder soap, etc?

Bob is at Camp Pickett for his six weeks training. That is the camp near Blackstone. I do hope he will get along all right.

Mae has a job at Camp Lee and has gotten some one to keep Mary Byrd for her while she works. Paul expects to be in the Army by Dec. All married me who can be spared from their jobs will be drafted by the first of January or that is what will happen unless Congress passes the law to draft boys 18 and 19 years of age. That is before the House now but I don’t know when they will get around to it.

Cary Stone has been very ill with pneumonia but is home from the hospital now greatly improved. Bernard Mc is improving slowly from his operation for appendicitis. Have you had any trouble with yours since you left? I do hope you take care of yourself. Be as careful as you can. You know it means more to me to have you come home safe then anything else in the world.

All my love,

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