September 22, 1944

8:45 pm

Dear Kathleen,

Once again I'm "Charge of Quarters" so I'm taking care of the phone in First Sgt's office. Things have not been too bad so far this eve. so I hope they stay that way. In a little bit I'll have to put out the lights in the barracks and then tomorrow at 6:15 AM I'll have to hold revielle. Also tomorrow I'll have to count the number of persons eating in the mess hall and that is about all I have to do when I'm on C.2.

Gee! I certainly got a kick out of your stationary. Honestly it is the cutest I've seen for a long long time. It is always a pleasure to hear from you even if you are slow at times. Well I'm rather slow too for as I've said before I'm short handed in my ward and I'm averaging a new assistant every week. So I understand what a working girl is up against. Certainly glad to hear you did get a job at the Depot.

Kathleen my folks live three miles west of Pauline. When those big planes take off on the East and West runway they come right over our house.

It certainly has been quite a while since I've been to the fair. The last time I attended the fair was in Sept. 1941 if my memory is correct. Even back in those days they had a lot of places which certainly took one to a cleaning. My cousin wrote me a while back and said she was taking some things down to the fair.

The way things stand now the only way one can get out of Florida is for the First Air Force Hq to decide and send one somewhere where they need men worse then they do down here. One can no longer ask for a transfer to some other part of the U.S. although the Commanding officer can put one on a shipping list to your part of the country if a shipping order comes in for your section asking for men with that rating and qualifications. So if all boils down one never knows where he will be tomorrow. I was supposed to get a preference when I was at Miami Beach but they put me in the 2rd AAF and I hoped to get into the 2nd Air Force which includes Topeka. So now I suppose I'm stuck here. It could be a lot worse I assure you.

It is still hot and sultry down here. It showered enough to make it very uncomfortable this evening. So I'd sort of appreciate some cool weather.

Gee the war news certainly has been encouraging so perhaps it won't be too long before we can back to civilian life once again. Then we can build and plan for our future.

Perhaps I better close for now as there doesn't seem to be much news. I might add I shot a few snap shots which should be back next week. If they turn out okay I'll send you some of them. I remain:

As Ever

Milan