D - 8 - 3 FARC
Dec 6, 1942 Dear Mother & Dad --
Well, I got through the third week without disaster, but the next week will tell. I have five final exams this Thursday -- one right after another. So I may not get a chance to write on Wednesday. However I'll write as soon as I can -- probably Thursday night or Friday
If I should be lucky enough to be on the shipping list for next Sunday -- I shall telegraph you on Saturday. Then I'd like you to phone me Saturday night about 10 o' clock. But don't phone unless I telegraph. And if you do phone just and for Pvt. John Zeller person to person, Battery D, 8th Battation, Replacement Center, Fort Bragg, N.C. Better place the call early too, for it may take a little while to get it through.
If I don't ship next Sunday, and don't get home either, then call me the following Saturday.
I've been receiving Xmas Cards from quite a few of the Masons. I had one from John Voris in Harrisburg and a very nice letter from Sam Wolfe. Also had a card from the church.
Aunt Stell sent me a box of chocolate covered mints. I guess she figures it's easier to send candy them to write. Needless to say the candy didn't last long.
Brownell leaves for Ft. Sill tonight. He'll get there Wednesday or Thursday. I guess Paul Johnson is still waiting start school. He made the mistake of asking instead of th Field Artillery. to get into the Adjutant General's Office
instead of th Field Artillery. I'm enclosing the Xmas club checks Please deposit them to my account. The underwear has not yet arrived. I'll let you know how it fits in my next letter.
Last night I went to see a U.S.O. camp show at the "Center" Theater. They put on "You Can't Take It With You". I had seen the Bucks County Playhouse do the same play in Shile, when I was down this summer -- and imagine my surprise and delight when most of the cast was the same. All of the women were the same and one of the men. The starring role was played by the composer Jack Norwood who wrote “Shine on Harvest Moon and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
Some of the fellows evidently had never seen a legitimate theather production before, for they got up and left at the end of the 1st act. Guess they thought it was all over -- as in the movies.
I want to go to the movies this afternoon and then study and go to the band concert tonight.
Last night we finally heard on the radio the full story of Pearl Harbor No wonder it has taken as long to get rolling. We seem to have made a remarkable recovery. I'm glad thd Selective Service has finally been made a real Selective Service. Now this foolish volunteering the day before the draft would take effect will stop.
Guess that all the news --Yours,
John