Feb 28,1943 Dear Mother + Dad --
I haven't seen any letter from home since I last wrote -- so I don't have any questions to answer or any plan of attack for this letter. So I'll just start in and ramble.
nenley I received confirmation of my resevation with American Airlines. I'll leave Okla. City (go there by bus) at 6:45 Thursday -- arrive St. Louis 9:43 - leave St. Louis 10:59. arrive Pittsburg 4:14 Friday morning. I figure I can get a train out of Pittsburg about 6:30 or 7:00 and catch the noon train out of Harrisburg - thus arriving in Lewisburg around noon or Friday. Airplane cost $ 57.20 -- plus $ 5.72 tax. I figure it well worth it, for otherwise I would have to spend two night's enroute - and Pullman would cost almost as much.
The only catch is that there is a rumor that commercial air transport out of Okla. City is to be suspended Mar. 5th. I certainly hope not!
Last night I went into town and spent what was left of last months salary on equipment. I spent $30 before I knew it. I purchased a very nice sweater, Mother. and a beautiful scarf. Also gloves and officer’s ties. I also bought underwear and good socks. I bought my brass too -- 1 set of US insignia -- 2 sets of crossed cannon -- and 3 sets of bars. The brass cost $ 10 by itself.
This coming week we go to the quartermaster warehouse and I'm going to pick up most of the other things I need. What I don't get there I shall get in town next week - end 4 of us had a good steak dinner last night and the went shopping. I picked up a few little trinkets to bring home.
We also went into Gilbert's drug store for sundaes -- I looked up John Buchers friend. Mr. Gilbert seems to be a very nice fellow. He wants to be remembered to Mr. Bucher.
Wells Henderson and I ate dinner together today. He's coming over a little later this afternoon. Right now I'm waiting at the radio. I'm going to try to pick up the B.U. broadcast -- although I'm sure WJ2 is out of range.
No more news as to where I'll be sent when I leave here. I'm increasingly afraid I may be returned here. I would rather like to return here to survey school. But there is nothing I want less than to come back here as an instructed or as a Tactical Officer.
Actually, the best thing would be to be located in the east. That way I could get traveling time and traveling money in addition to the 10 days leave.
Now don't plan too much for when I'm home. I shall be content first to visit with my friends, attend a few college affairs, and take things easy. I may want to go down to Phila. for a day -- I'm not sure.
And don't worry about putting on a big feed, for me, Mother. Just to eat your every day meals will be banquet enough after 7mo. of Army chow. I would like some good mashed potatoes -- maybe a ham loaf -- some good hamburger -- good scrambled eggs. Don't worry about pies or cakes. Somehow I'm not awfully hungry for them. Chicken & waffles would go down well too.
Dad, my Hamilton isn't holding up too well. for them. Chicken & waffles would go down well too. You will have to go over it when I’m through here and come home. The stem comes out and I can't set it. Also, the crystal doesn't fit too well and dust collects inside I think it ought to be cleaned too.
I've been thinking a bit about politics and what I had better do after the war. I'm very much afraid the pendulum is going to swing strongly back to the Republicans. And if I went to get some where as a lawyer in Union Co. or in Pa., in particular, I probably won't be very successful as a Democrat. Moreover, since the Republicans will probably run things for a good 10 or 12 years to come, I could probably be of more service towards better government by casting my vote in a Republican primary. I want to talk it over with you when I come home, Dad -- and then perhaps I'll change my registration.
My last week here I think I'll send another box home, so that I don't have so much to carry with me when I come.
I can hardly wait to get into my uniform It will mean a great deal to me. Perhaps its not the right attitude, but when I finish here I'm going to feel just a bit snobbish toward the boys who stepped into the plushy comissions without any training or special schooling. The LT in front of my name will mean a very great deal more than any AB or MA behind it, particularly in the effort and honest to goodness sweat it took to produce it.
Guess that's all for now Yours, John