Dear Mom,

I can't remember what I wrote in my last letter so if I repeat please bear with me. First of all I now have four missions in. We ferried some supplies up to France. Boy that country certainly has it all over this. That place almost looks like home and the people certainly are friendly. A hell of a lot better than these "Wops".

We flew up the Rohr River – it certainly is a fertile valley. We flew over Marseilles and it didn't look like it was beaten up much. Lyons wasn't either but we didn't get in to town so we really couldn't tell. Other than the sights it was quite an uneventful trip. I was glad I got to see France, at least part of it.

Yesterday Lew and I went up to Foggia and walked around the town. They had a nice officers Red Cross and PX. There are some WACs stationed there but we didn't see many. We went to the show in the afternoon and then come back. We didn't buy anything 'cause we didn't see anything worth while and the prices are too high.

Today Lew and I went to Cerignola and I got a table runner – small one – when you get it tell me how much it is worth and then I will tell you what I paid for it.

I told you about the church in town – well today we saw a funeral. We just saw the procession from the church. First there were young men and boys in white robes led by a boy with a tall cross with the crucifix. There were four or five of these symbols in the procession. Next came old men with the same white robes. They were trimmed with red and had a red sash. Next came old guys with long beards in dark red robes or maroon color. They looked like the monks you see in pictures. Well they were chanting some kind of song. Next came the priests in black skirts and all white lace tops, There were little boys dressed like the young men and older men. They were all chanting too.

Behind them came the hearse. It was drawn by two horses that were completely covered with black silk or satin, anyway it looked like it. There were just holes for the eyes and ears. The cloth was decorated with gold designs and fringes. The hearse was all black also trimmed with gold with a large golden angel on top. The sides were all open and you could see the coffin. Just a plain wooden box with nothing at all to decorate it. There were no flowers at all. Behind the hearse came about twenty women in black and then every one else. Friends or onlookers and what not. I sure wish I had a camera – it really was something to remember. Everyone in the whole town showed up in their best clothes.

After the procession we went to the church and the very first thing we saw was a beggar, an old man, asking for money. Well we looked around and when we started out we met an old woman begging. It sure was a contrast – the dirty old woman in a million dollar church. Right now in town they are asking for funds for another church. If the people are so dumb they deserve to be poor.

Well nothing else of interest happened so we came back to camp. Well right now it is time for the show so I'll close this and mail it.

All my love,
Rae