Field Artillery School
Ft. Sill, Okla.
April 11, 1943
Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma --
I've just returned from spending the day in town with Wells Henderson. He came over about 9:30 this morning and we started for town to church, dinner and a movie. But we ran into transportation difficulties and didn't get there in time for church. We did get a good steak dinner and a movie, however.
Mrs. Marsh told Wells you had made the cookies, he told me today. He asked me to thank you for him until he gets time to write himself. I see by the item his father has been elected Pres. of the American Bar Asso. -- quite an honor. Yes, I gave Wells the envelope from his grandmother.
The radio and curtains arrived yesterday. The curtains are fine. Thank you very much. And you have no idea how much I appreciate the radio. It's wonderful to be able to stay in here and hear music, comedy, and news again. Thank you too for the 3 new pillow cases. The laundry comes back on schedule -- but they may come in handy later on. Yes, the radio arrived safely and works perfectly. You had it well packed.
I'm anxious to see the pictures. I want to send the little application photos to some of my friends. You can distribute the others for me. I think it might be a good idea to have a second dozen of the application photos. If you get a chance, order them for me and send them on when they're done.
I hate to call on Anne Bucker. I bet she doesn't even know there is a person like me. But perhaps later on I shall when I get settled a bit more.
And don't worry about my orderly. We have a negro boy -- a civilian -- who is too darn lazy to be any good. He is supposed to shine shoes, make beds, dust, sweep, clean windows, mop twice a week, and air the bedding once. Of all that he does shine shoes in a haphazard sort of way, and he does pull the bed together without bothering to do more than putting up the blankets. But he doesn't do anything else. One of these days I'm going to get tired of the dust and clean up myself. I am going to have to wash the window. I like to look out the windows without having to open them.
Yesterday, I finished the refresher course -- and tomorrow I start in the O.C. Area Material Department. I suppose we'll start to teach along about the middle of the week.
I spent yesterday afternoon putting up the curtains and organizing the radio. And then later on I went in town and purchased two white shop coats to wear while instructing. I left my watch at a jewelers too to get a new crystal. His shelves were even worse than yours. Dad, He had hardly anything on them.
Jack Benny is now holding forth on the radio. He has a pretty good program tonight.
I seem to have run out of things to write about for the time being, so until Wednesday, when I'll try to write again.
Yours,John