Italy January 1, 1944

Dearest Mom & all

How is everyone there this New Year day? Fine I hope. I am well and O.K. If the New Year came in there like it did here, it sure was a bad day, for I have never saw it so bad before I don’t think. [The] wind [is] blowing like mad, and [it is] raining very hard. It is pretty cold with all that. Our tent nearly blew down last night, some of the other boys tents did blow down. We were lucky I guess. We had our Christmas and New Years dinner yesterday. [I] had baked Turkey and dressing, green beans, bread and hot coffee not bad for away over here. You have ask[ed] in several of your letters if I have sent any money home lately, no I haven’t sent any, for since they take out for my insurance and the allotment, there isn’t much left and I need a little spending money, hoping to hear from all soon.

Lots of love,

Marlin