Ft. Sill, Okla.
May 5, 1943. Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma,
Your Sunday letter arrived just before lunch -- and since I have no classes this afternoon I shall answer it now. Tonight, I must go to town to pick up two summer uniforms. We go into cotton Sunday.
I do wish I could be home for Mothers' Day -- but since I can't, I shall just have to be there in spirit only. You know, I think I have the best Mother in the world -- even if she was a school teacher. No boy ever had better parents.
So Bud Ranck is to be married. I bet the Ranck's are furious. I'm afraid they have clamped down on Bud too much -- this time there is no stopping him.
I'm glad you are finding time to do some reading, Mother. It is a good sign that you are not over working or running around doing too many outside things.
When I go into town tonight I shall telegraph you. I want my wardrobe trunk sent on. It will be just what I need to store my winter uniforms. I shall buy moth balls, etc. and really pack them well. My woolen underwear, sweater, scarf, gloves, and all will have to be stored. Send the key separately by mail.
Somehow or other I didn't miss Houseparties this year. But then as I discovered when I was home -- almost all of my old gang are gone. Maybe it will be the same again. after the war -- but I doubt it.
Is Park Everhart coming to O.C.S.? I shall keep my eye out for him.
The swimming trunks have not yet. arrived -- but I expect they will be along this afternoon or tomorrow.
Forrest Brown wrote me last week that the college had purchased Amanda's old house. I thought I had written you about it. I'm glad Amanda finally got rid of it, for I guess she's had her troubles trying to get her money from the SPE boys.
Your Sunday letter was like a jig saw puzzle -- but I finally got the different sized. papers in proper order.
Too bad about Herb Griel. Won't he have the stories to tell though when the war's over? I hope he gets through the malaria all right. I must remember to write to the Griels & Fishers.
Had a card from Jeanne Haynes Thomas. She tells me Estelle Howley -- Bill Wright's girl -- is the new WSGA President.
I have another 100 pages to read and then I shall have finished the 2nd Vol. of Carl Sandburg's long biography of Lincoln. I hope to finish it by mid-summer. It's a work I've wanted to read for some time -- but never got around to it. Now I have the time, at least.
Thank goodness I can amuse myself in reading and letter writing -- for I don't know what I should do with myself otherwise. Unless one goes in for night clubbing -- there isn't anything to do here. An occasional movie and trip to town for a meal are my only other amusements.
I just got a bill for $2 -- due each month whether we like it or not -- for support of the "Officers Club." This is the 1st time I've been taxed to help support a "saloon" -- and as far as I'm concerned that's all it is. I've been burned up about it ever since I got the bill.
Love,John