Dear Folks:

For the first time in the past several days I have some unused time on my hands and also the censor has permitted us to write about what has been happening to me, so there is two good reasons to write.  I would like to make this a good long account so you could picture better just what this place is like, but I don’t feel like writing very much, so later perhaps I can explain things more fully (later).  In the first place I’m on Okinawa in the Ryukus.  Was expecting the same old things as in other Pacific Islands, that is coconut trees, cane fields, and hot sweating days.  I was surprised to find it much different.  The best way I can think to describe to you what the island is like is by comparing it to the City Park in Denver.  From a rise or a hill the landscape looks like broad rolling lawns with green hedges patch working the scenery.  Each family has about two acres for a farm and every inch of that two acres is carefully planted in neat little patches no bigger than your own garden.  A little plot here has barley, while others have carrots, cabbages, onions, and some cane.  Of course we’ve made good use of the fresh vegetables and it is no doubt at all to cook up an evening stew of cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, and lettuce.  Everything is in miniature, and all in all the landscape is some of the best I have ever seen.  Something else uncommon to anything else I’ve seen, is the tombs used by those people who believe in ancestor worship.  The tombs are located on hillsides with a vault opening to the inside and with a small courtyard in the front.  They are scattered all over, located near the farm of each family.  They remind me of pictures I’ve seen of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles.

And finally after quite a long time some cool weather, at least it seems very cool to us.  I guess it seldom gets less than fifty at nights but it takes all I have to keep warm, and the days are hot, the hot humid tropical kind.  But it’s invigorating and maybe it accounts for my feeling some better and eating.  Well there is a brief description, but as time goes on, I’ll add more to it.

We came here from Leyte in the Philippines and the boat ride was rough, but plenty.  In the past I couldn’t mention Leyte, only the Philippines.  While on Leyte I visited Dulag, Tarragona, Albuera, Ormoc and Baybay among others.  Perhaps you will remember Ormoc as the place where the Japs re-enforced.  I guess that is enough about events.

I’m fine myself and feeling perfectly well, and I won’t take any chances   I don’t have to, because having come this far I think perhaps the time won’t be too far off when I can see you.  Very fortunately and thru the good judgment of our CO I have a cot, and it makes a world of difference.  Well we’re cooking our own rations again, and it’s getting about time to warm up the stove.  I see the cook has brought in and cleaned some carrots and has a big hunk of garlic.

I’ll write again soon and as often as possible.

Love,