TRANSCRIPT
DATED 12-23-43
Dear Folks,
I have been sleeping all afternoon so I’m going to try & catch up on my letter writing tonight. I still haven’t recd. any letters from you with my full address on them. I only recd. the two addressed to the 411th Bomb Squadron & that’s all. Oh yes. I received the Xmas card from sister too.
I have been to school only one day so far but expect to start going regularly this Sunday morning. The rest of my time has been spent going to camouflage classes and boy are they dull. I have attended them so much since I’ve been in the army it’s getting so I know what they’re going to say before they say it. Ha! Ha! We had a rough old Sgt. for instructor and he was really flashing his 3 stripes at us so I pulled off my leather jacket and it really quited [sic] him down when he found out he wasn’t the only Sgt. in the army. It really gripes me to meet guys like him. It’s nice to not have to take any of the rough stuff they dish out like I used to have to take from them when I was only a P.F.C. and Cpl. but now I’m almost my own boss.
I won’t get to come home Xmas but I want to wish you all a swell Xmas & even though I can’t enjoy it like I could at home I will try & make the best of it and pray that we can all be together for our next Xmas. My thoughts will always be with you even though I can’t so I hope you all have a swell time & try & have fun. I’m going to church Xmas morning & then I’ll try & call you later in the day.
I received a letter from Lee & she said she was sending my Xmas present to me here instead of at my home like she said she was at first. I’m anxious to see what it is going to be.
Are you all going to Clarence’s for Xmas or stay at home. I recd a card from Clarence, Mary & children & Aunt Hattie, Aunt & Uncle, Uncle Bailer & Aunt Della, Brownie, D.T. Wilbarn’s, Mrs. Elsie Doty (She’s a friend of Lee’s) & Lee, Nardine Louden of Sulphur Ky, Helend Giles of Missippi [sic], Gertie Mason of Fla., & old Leo Singer who works for Uncle, & lots of others I can’t think of now. I am going to save them all & send them home when I get a chance.
I guess sis has been taking it easy on her Xmas vacation hasn’t she. How is she feeling now?
Well I guess I better close & mail this. Be good & I hope you have a good time Xmas & a Happy new year.
Lots of Love
Toots