February 21, 1943

FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA
Feb 21,1943
Dear Mother + Dad --

I'm writing this -- beginning it, at least -- at the movies. I wanted to be sure to get in -- so had to come early -- and I don't want to waste time just sitting. I guess I'm as bad as the college girls who take knitting to classes and lectures. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to write in the middle of the week, but we were just so very busy, I didn't have time for anything but study. Now to answer your letters! Hope Dad is back in harness and feeling well by this time. I'm sorry he had that trouble again. Guess you'll just have to watch what you eat, Dad. I haven't been in town this week but I plan to go next week, and if I have time I'll look up Mr. Gilbert for John Bucher.

Thanks for the $ 1 for the cannons -- but you didn't need to send it -- I was glad to buy them for you, Mother.

No, Mother, I'm really ashamed, but I haven't been, to church since I got here. Everyweek there is something doing. Last week we had classification on Sunday morning. This week we had two hours of lecture by two men just returned from Africa and the Solomons. And I get so little time to myself during the week that I try to use Sunday to keep up with events on the outside (Time), letters, sleep, etc. I do try to read my little daily devotion book every day, so my conscience is somewhat satisfied.

It's been quite a week. We finished Gunnery in a whirlpool of activity. I was fortunate enough to be the only one in the whole class to get a perfect paper on the survey final. I hope that will help me to return here for a month survey course after my 10 day leave before going to a line outfit. That would set me up to be a Battery Reconnaissance Officer or a Battalion Assist. S-2 with much more possibility of promotion then by just returning to Bragg for several months.

If I should go to Survey School and make good afterards, I would probably be a 1st Lt. by mid summer or fall.

I've been tablewaiter all week -- another reason why I was so busy. It took all of my noon hours and about an hour in the evening.

One meal I saw a fellow looking at me strangely. and I vaguely recognized him too. So I asked where he was from. He had been to Bragg too, but in a different part of the camp. Anyway, it turned out he was the manager of the Forrest Inn at Eagles Merc. He was always the one with whom we made arrangements for our conferences. It is a small world, isn't it.

Communications began Thursday finishes this Tuesday It's very interesting. The army certainly has some ingenious radio devices. Telephone is interesting too. And we are also learning codes and ciphers.

Dad, I want to ask a big favor. When I graduate here I'llget a check for $ 250 to cover uniform costs. But I shall have to get my uniform before that and I shall need money to get home. Will you send me $ 100 in Railway Express Money Orders. I shall have to pick up my uniform C.O.D. from R.R. Express and that will take care of that very nicely. Also send me $ 100 in $ 25 denominations of Postal Money Orders. That will help to cover uniform costs and will give me enough to get home on. Of course, I have monthly salary money that will also be used. Then when I get home I'll cash the gov't check and pay you back. O.K.? I will appieciate it very much.

I ordered my blouse, dark slacks, pink slacks, and two shirts yesterday. Total bill $ 96.50. I still have to get a short over-coat, rain coat, field packet, several more shirts, bars, insignia, caps, etc -- and shoes, if I can get a ration certificate. If I'm able to save $ 25 out of the $ 250 they give as a uniform allowance, I'll be lucky.

Guess that's about all. I'll try to find time to write this week. Even tho I'm not tablewaiter, however, I do have another job. I'm hut orderly -- so I'm sure to pick up a few more demerits.

Yours, John