December 1, 1942
Camp White, Oregon
Dear Aunty Clara:
I am getting busier every day. If this letter is not finished tonight, I will break it at whatever point I have reached and send it to you anyway. I just received your letter, the one you wrote Sunday November 29, 1942.
During this first section I will confine myself to answering all your questions. I think I will have time for that. It went good and bad today; but more about that later if I have the time. The sergeant while still a good bawler-outer is not quite as tough on us anymore and even kids around once in a while. He is the sergeant that overheard that conversation and evidently he does not hold any prejudice against me on that account. The fellow I was talking to at the time is the Company Clerk, Corporal Censky. I think I told you that. Of course, you know all about the cookie situation by now. I will repeat, however, that the fellows don't care if they are unwrapped. Just keep a few aside for me in wax paper. In my barracks there are too many to give cookies to. In the office there are at least two dozen or more people; so that is the minimum for one cookie each. I got some cookies yesterday and a piece of candy and an orange from the fellows in the office. You see it really doesn't matter about saving anything because there isn't anything left to save.
Of course, you know that I had a taste for fruitcake too. It seems that we are still psychic over 2000 or 3000 miles away from each other. Yes, I can keep a few cookies and candies for a few days. That is I can keep as many as I can hide in the overcoat pockets or the pockets of my blouse, or the pockets of my raincoat etc. You can send me enough to last a day or so. That is for my own.
You can send those things to Uncle Jack or me. I hinted as to their disposition the other day. Maybe I ought to send them to him. It would make a good Christmas present. But the again you have the trouble of it not being the right kind. If you send them here, I can get rid of them.
I had kind of imagined that you would be having snow in Chicago by this time and I don't envy you at all. In fact, this rainy weather is ten times better than any snow or sleet or ice or cold.
I hope you do go and see Mrs. Boyer or have her come over. After I am gone, that is all you two are going to have left of your boys. I wrote to Mrs. Reed and Myrtle, as you know, and you can say hello back to Mrs. Vintera. If I get the chance, I will try to drop Mrs. Vintera a line.
My Dad is going to lose those pictures yet, mark my word. Tell Aunty Florence to wipe that smile off her face. During inspection those utility cases have to be hidden and can't be used. This company is that tough that they won't let you have anything at all. I miss using that utility case. I put it in the bottom of my barracks bag last week and haven't pulled it out since. I will write again tomorrow and let you know what size of a box I need for my hat. I will be sending the handbag home as soon as I get to the post office.
You also know by now that I am not going to get much of that building stuff. I was out for drilling and to see a picture today.
I won't be getting a pass to Medford for a mighty long time and I haven't much inclination to go there. I told you in a letter or so ago that I would take some with my camera in the near future. That is if the sun ever comes out on a Sunday.
I also anticipated your question as to what I did with my Sunday.
Yes, you can write on both sides of the paper. We are not supposed to save our letters either, in Company A. That way the smaller number of pages used the better it is. But don't let that restrict you to just a few pages. The more there are the better I like it.
I can't really write a good letter here in the office because they are always keeping a fellow hopping and a train of thought can not be continued.
I was late for bedcheck last night but I think it was fixed up because I was working here at Headquarters and was thus excused.
I will have to get to work now so please wait until tomorrow for more news of what I did today etc.
Thanks a million for these letters and don't ever stop writing. I haven't got the packages yet but they take over a week sometimes. Say hello to Aunty Florence and Uncle Joe and my Dad if he comes over.
Solong,
Roman