535 1/26/1944 Jim Erwin to Sadie Erwin

Jim Erwin Barksdale Field, Louisiana Wednesday, January 26, 1944

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks, In town for the last time tonight. We probably won’t leave until Friday or Saturday though. We worked from 6 last night till 4:45 this morning, loaded trucks, etc on flat cars. We were sure tired. The place we are going to is supposed to be Lakeland, Florida and has a population of 25,000. The field is four miles out of town and hear it is very nice. We will continue to do our same jobs but will be under combat conditions. Will probably live in pup tents. Should only be there a couple of months so shouldn’t be so bad. It has been swell out but has clouded up and is now raining. Will make it cool traveling anyway. It has been a rumor for a few days that we are going to Washington or Oregon. That would be too good to be true. Some guy that lives there probably started it. Tomorrow morning I’m on guard duty from 6 till 9:30 then have the remainder of the day off. Sorry to hear about the car but glad nobody was hurt. Try to get it waxed if possible now too. It will keep the finish on it. When we get wherever we are going I’ll find out about the income tax. None of the fellows are paying it but will find out anyway. My things are all packed so they will probably have an inspection tomorrow and I’ll have to unpack it all. My clarinet and the cookies came through okay. Thanks for sending both. The letter from Gerald was nice. Maybe I’ll get a chance to see him. Got a nice long letter from Glad. Said everything was going along fine and the girls are growing up fast. It was nice Elizabeth could visit them there. I’ll write or maybe call when we get there and let you know all about it. With love, Jim