Dearest Folks:

My letter writing is becoming atrocious but perhaps you have also had spells when you didn’t feel like writing or found so many other things to do that you neglected it.  Well, I guess that’s my situation.  On my pass last Sunday, the Fourth, I forgot all about the customary fireworks but had a good time dancing and loafing at the army recreation center.  I believe it was one of the best days off that I spent since I’ve been here and the next time I hope to spend the day on the beach.  I guess I told you about the places in a previous letter.  Our open air theatre near our camp has been built up considerably.   Until now we have night shows once a week at night that are usually put on by the USO or home talent.  Although you might be a little abashed to sit through a movie I wished you could hear the cracks that come forth.  From the picture I sent you, you can tell about what it used to look like.  Tomorrow night we will have another show preceded by a little swing session by our band.  The band is a part of the battery and I think they do a darn good job.

I haven’t heard from Dick since I returned but I guess it is up to me to write him a letter soon.  I’m anxious to see the pictures we took and if they don’t turn out I’ll be very disappointed.

Tonight I think I’ll stay in and perhaps do a little more reading on my book that is plenty thick and will probably take me a long time to read.  I hope you can find the ones I mentioned although you will probably have to do a little looking around.  I very seldom work at night and I want to know as much when I get out of the army as when I came in, I hope.

Every time I see a newsreel on North Africa I think of Jim and wonder if possibly he is in some of the scenes.  I suppose he was right in the thick of it and I hope he came out none the worse for it.  It’s hard to imagine Halsey missing knowing him as I do and trying to picture him dead or a prisoner—I guess everyone experiences the same feeling, especially when the person is so well known and knowing his peculiarities.  As for myself I don’t think the Allies will ever make an invasion of the continent as everyone thinks they will.  The enemy has built up terrific defenses and the casualties and cost would be too high when they can either (be) bombed into submission or beaten from the Russian side.  I would bet even money it will be a grand scale attack from the air and the Russian side but no invasion.  I can’t see Japs whipped because of the big problems of supply and the new systems of communications that will be necessary before we can really begin to knock them off.  I think it will be at least two years yet.  I hope I’m way off on my opinions but I’m afraid the war with the Japs will be as long as the time the Germans have been fighting.  Well, that’s enough on that.

I believe I’ve said enough for this letter.  Maybe, too much, but I don’t feel unduly pessimistic about the future, because I really believe times will be better than ever when this is over.  But unless somebody can formulate a lasting peace then we better quit now, and get ready for another one.  I guess this is good night and don’t let what I have written make you feel gloomy or downhearted because I’m not myself.  I know all will turn out the way we want it to and if you have the right kind of confidence it can never be shaken.  I miss you all more than you can imagine.

Love,