Cpl Roman F. Klick 36620923
Co "A", 353rd Engr Regt
A.P.O. #502, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California
August 21, 1943
Dear Aunty Clara.
The cheese bit cookies cost only 5¢ a box so thus far today I have held my expenditures down to that amount. At that rate I will be able to stretch out the remaining $1.20 for 24 days.
The piano playing continues and I have now reached the point where I can play simple tunes from the notes. I can play "My Wild Irish Rose" in its entirely using that system. But as far as my ever really being able to play a piano --- I guess that is out. I've been watching several fellows play who know how and it seems impossible to hit almost ten keys correctly at the same time --- at least impossible to me.
The screening and canvassing of our office tent has come to a temporary halt. Just why this is I do not know but the result is that it looks like a house during Spring cleaning. Speaking of tents reminds me that we may be getting that long awaited wooden floor in our company tent. The occupants can construct their floor whenever they find the time. The wood for the floors is laying outside the mess hall. Perhaps tomorrow Edie, Burkard, Mersing, Censky and myself will be able to get together on it.
I haven't received any mail so far today but that doesn't mean I'm not going to get any. Jack received a few slow mail letters just a little while ago so perhaps I will receive a few unexpected letters also. It looks as if the books are going to take the longest time in getting here.
Did I ever tell you that I am "Acting Platoon Leader" at Reveille every once in a while? Sgts Davis, Emery and Censky are on duty many mornings and the reporting of the platoons falls to one of the rest of us and a few times I took over. It is dangerous to do so because the chow line stampede rushes right past the fellow standing out in front.
Solong, /s/ Roman