Dear Mom

The last letter I got from you was mailed on the 30th and it took twelve days to get here. This however is an exception - the average letter takes from two to three weeks in getting here. No, I have not received the package as yet - I told you it would take forever to get here. I sent a large manilla folder home yesterday so be sure to tell me when it gets there. The coins are for Unk - the Rosary is for Jack Ayers - and the rest is yours. I imagine you'll like the picture books from Rome better when I can be there to show you what I saw. Oh yes, please tell me what glove size you wear - all of you girls and also what colors you like. You can get pigskin and calfskin gloves that are quite nice at Naples - they cost between 2.50 and 3.00 dollars. They have gray, brown, white, and lots of two color combinations, one color on the back and another one the front so I can get any color you ask for.

Here it is Sunday and I haven't finished this letter yet. Yesterday I got a letter from you dated the 7th Oct. which means I got it in just seven days - will wonders never cease. I got the pictures of you and Pa and Auntie and Bob Shultz OK, also the ones of Aunt Eva, you and Pa and the three pictures. Say, they really are swell aren't they. I like the one on the left the best. Say, Pa in the picture you were holding something in your hand - be sure to have one for me next time. Say who took the pictures indoors. I got a letter from Marge too - will answer soon. Yes, I've been to Mickelberrys. Say, silver fox coats, evening gowns, think I'll get a new gal when I get home. The box still hasn't arrived but I'm not worrying about it for we'll be here for a long time to come. I think Germany will quit about the middle of next June. I got a letter from Mae so I'll have to write her too. Since Unk gets to real all my letters home he'll XXX

Well I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in my description of Rome. Some of the things are beyond imagination and impossible to describe. We went to the Vatican City and the day we went they had just opened the art gallery which had been closed since the beginning of the war. We saw all the famous paintings by Raphael and Angelo and also the statues by Angelo. There were pictures by other famous people, too. We also got to go into the Sistine Chapel where Angelo painted the Last Judgment on the wall and decorated the ceiling with religious pictures. It's in this chapel where the new pope is chosen. Next we went to St. Peters. It has the papal alter and famous statues - it's really beyond description. I bought three picture books which I'll send home. After we saw the church we saw the Pope and he gave a short talk. I bought a rosary and had it blessed by the Pope - I thought Jack Ayers might like it. We saw lots of the old buildings in Rome including the Coliseum and old aquaducts and stuff. The girls in Rome look just like Americans and we found a night club that could have been in any Chi. hotel. Good band and floor show with lots of girls to dance with. I will tell you more about it in my next letter. It's late and we go on a mission tomorrow morning. Say, Pa, who are you betting on in the series? I kinda hope the Browns win it. So the book case is all finished, eh, good for you. I bet it will look nice. Oh, yes, I got a nice letter from Aunt Elsie too.

Well again I'll say good night.

Love, Rae