Dear Mom and Pop

Well, before I say anything I have four letters from you to answer so I'll start right out with the questions. Somany of the questions may be old but I'll answer them anyway - the letters are dated Sept 21, Oct 26, Nov 2 and 4. You see quite a wide range. In the Sept letter I got two pictures, one of you and pop. There both good and I like em fine. I thought that was very good of aunt Elsie - I see Unk still has his T.B. That's a new dress you're wearing - what are its colors? First, we don't have to go to Cerignola for rations for we get them once a week here at the base. The officers PX is just extra. We can get clothing and rations. Rations are candy, cigs, soap and ect. We get lots to eat and all our food is C rations. We don't have much to read so you can send me as many of those little books as you want to. You know by now that we don't get mail every day and I'll let you try and figure out why I get a Sep 21 and Nov 4 letters on the same day - I can't. They don't call our crew the Pathfinder - that's the Group name - because of our radiar ships.

When I send a gift nobody pays duty on it. Now we're to the Nov 2nd letter where you asked for me to ask for something. Well, we definitely don't need any more soap - with what you sent and the box Lew got we've decided to start a laundry. What I would like is a can of anchovies or some sardines or something like that. Something we can eat at night with crackers - cheese or sea food of some kind. Now save this letter and when ever you want to send me something just show him this. I'm sure I told you I was living with our crew. The officers have a tent and the enlisted men have one so we're all still together. There's not much to tell about our missions except now that it's cold the temp hits -50 degrees C up there. My health is fine - there's no scales over here, but I believe I've gained weight. I get lots of sleep and my nerves are as good as everyone elses.

No, I haven't heard from Ruth Jean. Well now this next one is really a hard question - What do I do in my spare time? Well, I read, look for mail, write letters, eat and sleep -- very dull life. I don't ever get drunk. You get to go to rest camp once and you stay one week. It's supposed to come when you are half through with your missions but you go whenever your turn comes. There's no examination to it. Well, there, all the letters are answered.

Day before yesterday all the mountains around here got a covering of snow on them and ever since then it's been quite cold. 4 degrees C. It warms up a bit in the day, but the wind is cold. Went into town today and saw a movie, had a shave and got some stuff - rations. Got a letter from Aunt Berry and Aunt Elsie also got a card from Bob and Em. Tell Unk to say hello to Millie for me. Well, since I didn't get any mail today I haven't much to write so I'll close for now.

Love, Rae