September 26, 1942 (PM) - Duty Cut in O.R.

Saturday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Well here I am again for the second time today. I was disappointed with my first effort so I’m going to add another page or so to it. I mailed my last letter in the mail box here and I will mail this one in Blythe tonight. Probably this one will get to you first then again it may not. I’ll take the chance.

I guess I have been relieved of my duty in the operating room. For some reason they cut out one of the three shifts and mine was the one they cut out. I guess I won’t have anything to do but company duty now and there is very little of that. In fact I slept all afternoon and no one bothered me. We have evacuated our patients to the station hospital. The six day problem ended today so we have nothing to do for a few days until the next one comes up. Quite probably we will move to another spot on the desert. You see these maneuvers are a series of 2 or 3 day problems. The one we were on was the biggest and best test of them all. I think the maneuvers are scheduled to run until Oct 18 so I imagine we’ll be out here until then. This will sure be a swell place to celebrate my 24th birthday won’t it.

I don’t think I told you about getting a card from Mrs Dever expressing the family’s appreciation of my extending my sympathies. I still think of that untimely incident quite often. It kinda bothers me a little.

I’m going to town tonight to go to see a show. In the time I’ve spent out here I’ve spent more money than I have all month. In fact I’m almost broke. However, pay day is scheduled for Wednesday and I hope it comes through. I loaned out 5 dollars to two of my friends and that put quite a crimp in my bankroll. I’ll make out O.K. so I’m not worrying about it. I figure after that month in the hospital I owe myself a good time when I can get it. What do you think?

You must be about ready to move by now. I’m glad for you in the respect that you have your house and sorry that you are going to have a time until you get moved. Oh well, everything will work out for the best.

Thats all for now. I’ll try and get another note off tomorrow.

Love
Bobby