Dear Folks:

I started out to do something else tonight but after receiving your letter it made me feel so good that I had to answer immediately.  A four page one too, pretty good, and full of interest.  I know my letters get pretty dull sometimes but I hope that occasionally you find something of interest.  I understand full well what our letters mean to you.  Well I’ll dig up the letter and make a little commentary on it to make this one (letter) a little longer.  Last night our GI foursome got together and I turned out the goat.  After having a five bid served up tight I fumbled and went down two.  But we won in the end.

I’m glad you liked the book and I believe you probably feel much as I do about the islands.  And about the sharks. Yes, there (are) plenty in the waters around and we are always cautioned to swim in designated areas and stay close to shore.  Only a few months ago a soldier disappeared and sometime later a shark was caught with his remains inside.  I saw the shark.  In ‘Born in Paradise’ you will probably remember how Von Tempski would swim the cattle to the boat and how they were often attacked by the sharks.  I often think if you were here how we could see the place much as we did in ‘Frisco, and I know you would enjoy it immensely.  I’m very glad you made the request for the shells and I’ll get you the best sets the Waikiki district has to offer.  I’m sure I can find something that you will like and I’ll get a big kick of really shopping for something.

Although I wouldn’t exert myself excessively it would be good to see Conklin.  He must be back on rest or something.  It’s hard to imagine him a soljer but guess that’s the case with many of us.  The $140 I get a month really is okeh and as soon as I get the (dental) bridge I hope to increase my allotment again.  You should receive $60 a month beginning February 1.  I’m always anxious to know that the right amount is getting home for I know that many of them become very mixed up.  Working in the Personnel office and being the personnel Sgt Major, I work with many such tangled cases.  I guess you know the dependency allotments are compulsory for married men.  It is surprising the number of wives who leave their men and that creates trouble for us and for them.  But in many cases the situation is applicable to both members.

I remember seeing Dan Gettman at the dance you mentioned and he always plies me with question of folks he knows around Minatare.  He is a typical Russian as we know them –rather dull, bold and unaware of his own ignorance.  But he is a pretty good kid, always tries hard but can’t make the grade.

I can imagine Duane and Margy as you mentioned.  Is Marge any fatter or unshaped?  I hope my fixture is a little better proportioned.

I know how you must feel when my letters slow up and I always try to keep up with them.  There are many things I would like to tell you and you probably wonder why I haven’t but that’s ‘verboten’.  Dick’s future, from what I can gather, is still centered around agricultural interests.  I have never heard him mention Miss Sagle but he misses the times he had at home.  I never felt the urge to go to school so much as I have now and I always know the fact that time is so short for me to study.  Sometimes my plans and dreams occupy a lot of my time and again, I get a little discouraged at the outlook, but never stop believing that all will turn out okeh.

Willis Nichols’ marriage was certainly a big surprise to me but I don’t think he ever quite lived up to the standards of the rest of the Nichols.  He’s pretty lucky to stay home.

Probably many times in my growth you thought I was a hopeless case and I know I did little to deserve your attention but now, and everyday a little more, I picture more clearly your patience showing, working and planning you did to ensure my livelihood and wellbeing.  Somethings are impossible to see until they are taken away and no longer there to be taken for granted.  Now I remember little things you told me at the time I thought you were nagging and old fashioned and couldn’t see the reason for them but now they all fit in the picture much differently. I couldn’t see how fortunate I was.

Well guess this (is) ‘pau’ for this communique but I will find the shells and the best too and make another special request again soon too.  I will have as good a time buying them as you will receiving them.

Goodnite to love,