Ft. Sill, Okla.
July 14, 1943.
Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma --
Not much new since my Sunday letter, but I'll try to roll out a letter. Monday was a fairly ordinary day. I had a lecture on combat firing and a practical period -- and spent the rest of the day learning the fundamentals of chess. Oh I'm not good at it yet -- but I’m learning. It's a fascinating game.
Monday night Lt. Strattan and I went to see the current USO camp show. It was very good. One of the best I've seen.
Tuesday was a tough day -- I had 6 hours of classes -- and of course, gunnery class in the evening.
Today wasn't too bad. I had four hours of class and then tonight I went over and called on Lt. Col. & Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Bucher. I had a very nice evening talking over Lewisburg & Lewisburgers. Mrs. Bucher tells me that her husband is coming out soon.
We have some new athletic equiptment in the Department. A badminton set -- and a court in one of the gun rooms -- and a punching bag and boxing gloves, I think I'll go in for the badminton. Anyway, I'll get some exercise out of it.
I had a letter from Wells Henderson. He's at Bragg in an outfit near D-8-3 -- just two doors away, in fact. And he doesn't like it very well. I can't say as I blame him!
Your Sunday letter has not arrived. I expect I'll get it tomorrow. But here goes to answer your Friday writings.
Looks like Lib Dyer will be the last of that gang to be married. Bette Hitchcock finally got her man. I suppose that means another present!
Haven't had a chance to look up young Everitt as yet -- but I’ll try to do it either tomorrow night or over the week-end.
Do you remember Jack Lepke -- the pre- ministerial student who also worked on the switchboard at B.U.? Dick Nutt tells me that Jack is on his way to Turkey as a missionary. Jack has been at Yale for the past two years. He'll make a good one!
I hear that Ward Gage is in Africa and that Tommy Richards is overseas too.
Are you used to the Navy by this time? At least thy ought to liven up the place a bit.
Mrs. Bucher tells me that the Ordinance plant laid off a number of their employees -- and that Lewisburg has a number of vacant apartments. I was afraid that someday we would find we had too many. Hope we can keep our own rented.
I've got to go out on the range in the morning & that means getting up early -- so guess I'll turn in.
Love,John