February 23, 1942 - ".. in good spirits.."

Company B 2nd Plat.
53 MRTC
Monday Evening

Dear Mom and Dad,

I receive your first letter today and it sure was swell to hear from you. I almost keeled over at mail call when they called my name out as I didn’t expect any until at least Wednesday. It took some time to find me I guess as they weren’t sure exactly what barrack I was in. Now you have my definite address and it will be less trouble. Lil Abner sure was swell. Thanks a million, you just can just save them for awhile if you wish. Thanks for the stamps but I have quite a few as I bought some.

Well since I wrote you yesterday things have begun to brighten up a little. I’ve kept very busy most of the day attending classes. Our drilling has been cut down to an hour a day so it’s not so bad. I guess things won’t be so terrible after I get used to it. It’s just breaking in that’s tough. We are going to get a gasmask drill tomorrow and the masks are going to be issued to us tonight. As you know I will be here for 8 weeks and then will be shipped. I don’t expect to get much time off but perhaps in a few months I might be able to get three or four days. Don’t worry about changing my bed anything you do is OK. As far as sweetheart (Ford) is concerned, use it all you want. I can get tires from Bill even if they are second hand. Are you pounding out all the fenders yourself? That will be quite a job without the proper equipment. However I won’t object to it if you want to do it.

I’ve written to all the gang and expect mail in a few days. As soon as I finish this I’m going to drop a line to Marion and Harold. I guess I’ll be all caught up by then. I can sit back now and answer them as they come in.

Well as I wrote yesterday I’m going to make this brief. I feel in good spirits tonight in contrast to yesterday. I’ll write the next time I hear from you.

Love Bob