Sgt Roman F. Klick 36620923
HS 1393 Engr APO 73
c/o PM SF Cal
Dear Aunty Clara,
The PX has sold out all its candy bars and the between meal snacks are becoming a desperate problem. The problem was somewhat alleviated by a surprise sale of ice cold Coca Colas - two to a customer - in the afternoon. When ice cold cokes are drunk with sufficient speed, one after another, they have the effect of making the stomach full via the bloating process. Then in mid-afternoon Norona brought up a box of candy he had been hoarding and we all fed well. Soon thereafter, it was time for the blue tickets to form their mess lines and I, with a still ravenous appetite, ate the meal with a terrific gusto and it was a super meal.
Yet the appetite for more and more food persisted and along about eight o'clock when a pork sausage meat sandwich was offered to me, I did not refuse.
Soon the lights went out, and as has become my routine, I went topside to look out at the ocean for a few hours and once more ran into Leonard L. Reedy. We immediately renewed our conversation of the previous evening and stayed at it last night until one o'clock.
When I awoke this morning, I didn't exactly feel any too good. I've a mild sore throat which may turn into a cold. I haven't had a cold for some time now and I am most certainly not going to appreciate having one.
Rooting thru my duffle bag yesterday produced a beneficial result - my last bar of salt water soap was found. I am indeed fortunate in not having run out of soap. Without soap those showers every morning would neither be refreshing or cleansing.
The quality of my reading material is still on a low level. It is now an Ellery Queen mystery magazine with a collection of short mystery stories by different authors. It is indeed unfortunate that some really good books have not been available during this trip while we have so much time on our hands.
Right after the morning reports were completed yesterday morning I began repairing one of my moccasins. And while it is a painstaking job to resew that little leather rim back on around the moccasin, it is well worth the effort. However, the one is fixed now the other is beginning to give way again but I just haven't the energy to work on it. The moccasins have been swell on board boat and it has been a long time since I've been able to wear them continuously day in and day out like I have done during this trip.
They are also wonderfully convenient in slipping on and off when in the not too spacious hold or up on the cot. Even if the moccasins were to wear out today, they have served their purpose well within the last ten months.
By the way, our old boys & myself don't consider ourselves rookies anymore now that we are into our third year overseas.
So-long, /s/ Roman
Editor's note (December 2004): Letter written aboard ship on May 13, 1945