Oct 14, 1942 Dear Mother + Dad
I suppose Grandma has gone to Aunt Stella's by this time. I shall try to write to her at least once a week -- probably on the week-end.
After you promised not to send insured mail again, the candy came that way. Thanks anyway, it came in handy even if I did have to wait an extra day to get it. I also got a large box of candy from Aunt Lillian & a box from Aunt Nelle (mailed in Harrisburg). All in all I've had about 8 pounds of candy this week. Of course, the boys accounted for most of it.
As you suggested. I shall keep the can. It comes in handy to keep candy, etc. in. I haven't even opened your last shipment of canned goods. yet. I'll save it for some day when the chow isnt so good.
I thank you so much for the money order. Mother. I didn't need it yet -- and I don't think I will. But there are 15 more days til payday -- and things would undoubtedly have been a bit light at the end of the month. I shall use it to treal myself to dinner at the Service Club now and again.
"Time" has begun to arrive direct from the publishers, so you needn't send it any more. Thanks for the last one and for "The Bucknellian". I haven't received the weekly from the C.A. for several weeks. I don't know too many of the names in the Bucknellian myself. I did keep up a bit last year -- but from now on I'll be completely in the fog.
Somene sent the church program (other than the one you included) to both Brownell and I. I wonder if Rev. Ostergren did it! At any rate it was sent to the old address. Bether tell him we have both moved. I had a nice letter from Jimmy O. too.
Thanks for sending on the card from Leon. I've meant to write to him, but didn't have his address. I also had a letter from Dick Sharp. He's been drafted -- goes in Oct. 22nd.
It sounds to me as though the whole town has heard my record-letter by this time. I'll have to make another next time I go into town so you can play it when told one wears out.
I really don't need a sweater. I purchased a sweat jersey at the PX that I wear under my fatigue jacket on cold days. You can get me one for Xmas, if you really want to, however. It must be olive drab shade. Any kind will do. And just get the largest size they have -- 42 or 44 ought to fit pretty well -- nothing smaller, however.
I have plenty of handkies and I can get socks at the PX as I need them. They must be regulation--so don't try to buy them for me. I I get to be an officer, I will have to buy my own uniform and there will be plenty I'll need. You can help out their if you want.
How was the tea? Are you able to get goods for Xmas, Dad? And is business still holding up.
The weather here has been a bit cooler. We go into our winter uniforms tomorrow. So far we have been in cottons -- a sort of twist like my old boy scout uniform. The winter uniform is wool. We shall see now whether I break out in a rash.
It seldom snows down here, they tell me. It just rains -- and judging from that -- we've had winter weather. It's been raining or drizzling since Sunday. One time last year it rained for three weeks straight.
I walked guard duty Monday night and Tuesday. Got soaked to the skin, of course, dispite my raincoat. But I took a hot shower and didn't even get a cold -- actually lost the small one I had. My ankles better too.
Guard duty wasn't bad. I walked from 5 to 7 and from 11 to 1 twice a day -- both A.M. + P.M. that is. The night a shifts were lonely + nothing exciting happened.
Brownell has been up for his Center School interview. We may get into school this week. It looks as though they are going alphebetically. At that rate I'll be here til the very last.
Yours,John.