Oct. 18, 1942 Dear Mother + Dad -
I was glad to hear you had decided to come down. I want you to see what army life is really like.
I think it would be best if you would come Nov 6th. The earlier week-end is pay-day week-end and everything is so jammed that is almost impossible to go anywhere or do anything.
I think it will be best too, if you stay at the guest house. There is little to do in Fayetteville, while out here you can see the camp and relax at the Service Club. I'll try to make arrangements this week, and I'll let you know.
I told the fellows about the sugar and they all extend their appreciation to the rationing board. Quite a few of the fellows have boughten cookies sent to them -- and while they don't last any longer them yours did -- the fellows appreciate the homenade kind more.
Mother, you said Tommy looked so well in my old Brown suit. Why not give him my grey coat (the pants to that suit have been gone for some time) and my old blue suit (neither will be of any use to me any more and he ought to be able to use them for something).
Let me know how Bud Ranch made out with the Air Corps will you? We signed the pay roll for the coming month. I don't know for sure, but I don't think they all going to deduct a bond from my pay. I don't think my application was in when my papers were transferred over here. I'll just send the money home and you can deposit it in my checking account. Later on, if I get to be an officer I'll have a bond dedeucted from my pay. I'll need the money in my checking account to buy officer's uniforms.
I'm inclosing the church program again. We have a new Chaplain. I don't like him as well as the last one, but he's all right.
I need a new watch band. I'd like the same kind I have now. Will you either send one, or else bring I along when you come down. There's no hurry.
We were given cards to fill out this week. I think they were to be used in filling out our application for officers training school. They asked which branch of the service we were interested in. I put down Air Corps Intelligence and Air Corps Administration. But I suppose I'll get Field Artillery.
To become an officer I have to pass another physical, I'm a triful worried because of hay fever, but I heard something that makes me feel better. All otherwise qualified men, who fail to pass the physical
are sent to Officer's Training School in Army Administration. That's the school at Fort Washington you sent me the article about, Dad. So I'm no longer worred. I'd rather be there and anyway.
I was on coal detail on Friday. We shoveled coal all day. My hands are covered with blisters. I certainly will be glad when I get to center school and leave all of these details behind. I can do this sort of thing when I have too and make the best of it, but I don't exactly like it. You always did say I didn't like to get my hands dirty.
Yours,John