Well I sure do get around. I'm the most travellingest guy in the army. Friday afternoon I went to town and when we got back we got paid $15. Friday night we went to a piano recital so I didn't get a chance to write. Then Saturday morning we turned in our blankets and packed our barracks bags. We had mail call just before we went to dinner and I got the sun glasses and a box from Unk. The sun glasses are fine but you paid too much for them. I just wanted a dollar or two dollar pair. Six dollars is too extravagant not to mention $10 or $15. I think you're nuts. Do you save so much money, now that I'm away, that you're millionaires?
After we had dinner we marched right down to the train. It was about 5:30 and then we waited in the station until 6:45 before we left. I don't know why we waited but we sat in the train for over an hour. We had another mail call on the train before we left and I got a letter from you and a small story and joke book from Ella Buck. Well anyway we took off and kept going all night. We had Pullmans and I was adman in the toss so I got the upper. The other two guys had to sleep together. Well this morning at 12 noon they finally put a diner on the train and we had breakfast. We ate Unk's box of crackers and cookies for breakfast and was it good. It sure did come at the right moment just as the book from Ella did. It was the only thing I had to read on the train and it saved the day.
We arrived here about 2:30 p.m. and they marched us about a mile to the college and then took us right to chow. We finished eating about 4:00 p.m. so that made 2 meals in 24 hours. After chow we were issued canvas cots, a mattress, one blanket, pillow and case and a comforter. Then we set them up in what used to be a garage. There are about 100 of us in here. The building is made of stone and has a cement floor. On one end they are adding showers. The men are working in there now cementing sides. On another side toilets were put in and are ready for use except there are no "picture frames." We have a whole foot between each bed but I was lucky. I have my bed next to the door leading into the shower so there is no one on one side of me for ten feet. We got our barracks bags and then fell out for supper at 6:45 p.m.. I didn't feel so good so I didn't go. All this cement dust that they're raising in the shower room comes out the door and I breathe it so that's why I'm a little under par. I won't tell you where I'm located, see if you can find it yourself. You'll be very surprised, no doubt. I won't say anything about the place until I've been here a little longer. You know the first impression can often be wrong. I don't know anything yet about school or anything else but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.
As for the button polish kit, throw the damn thing away. I haven't had a personal inspection since I've been in the army. I don't know what I can use here, if by any chance you didn't send that package, hold it off until you hear from me; the same goes for the white shirts. I got the check for three tires, but what happened to the other five tires; there were eight in all. I didn't get the peanuts and gum but it will be forwarded eventually.
In one letter you asked if I miss you yet; well, you can bet your boots I do. Ever since I left home, but it don't help matters any, for I won't be home for a long, long, long time. They no longer give you a furlough when you get your commission in the Air Force. You get it before you are ready to go across. I got Pa's letter. For Lord's sake, don't you feed him? If you can't do better than that, he better enlist and the army will put weight on him. I weigh 165 now. There will be more later, so goodnight.
Love,
Rae