Jim at Barksdale Field, Louisiana
Gladys at the Guyon Hotel, Chicago
Dear Glad, Cully and family,
Have finally started a letter that I’ve wanted to write for a long time.
Thanks for the dollar, candy and stockings you sent me for Christmas. We can usually always get candy bars but rarely have good chocolates so was glad to get them. Our brown dress stockings are plenty thin so wanted a warmer pair and you fixed that up. As far as the money, it’s the same story so thanks a lot again.
I was down to Lake Charles again over the weekend. Think I get more passes than anybody else on the field. Tomorrow I’m going to try and get a three day pass.
The men that recently left on furloughs were sent telegrams today to be back by midnight Sunday. All married men have been ordered to move on the post and were told to send their wives home. Starting Monday, nobody in our group will be allowed off the post. We have gone through this plenty of times before but think this time we really are going to move. Think it will be for overseas training. A major said that we would be on the train for five days so probably will go west and end up in the Pacific. We all want to go east and then to England so hope it works out that way.
They really have kept me busy lately. Last night was on K.P., this morning, room orderly, and am corporal of the guard tonight. They shouldn’t bother me again for awhile.
Friday we had snow and was it ever beautiful. Maybe if we had it all the time it wouldn’t look so nice. The sun came out bright and strong and it all melted in a hurry.
I was glad to hear that Cully didn’t get into the service. Suppose you are still plenty worried about it tho. Hope he doesn’t have to go at all.
Mother has been sending me the clippings so I’ve been able to keep up with the Hawks pretty good. She makes it plain to return them right away and always do. Cully will really have a swell scrap book. Hope the team has picked up since the last news I heard of them. Mother said they have a new goalie so maybe that will help.
Yesterday a plane crashed and three fellows were killed. The funeral was held today. It’s the first time we have had a bad accident since I’ve been here. A new group of pilots just came in so can figure on anything now.
I was pretty certain of making Sergeant the first of the month but we have a new commanding officer and he changed things a little. Hope to make it the first of March.
The folks talk about your cabin all the time. They go up practically every Sunday. They certainly enjoy it.
This is a swell field and a good town and will hate to leave both. It’s been nearly five months since getting here so is about time to move. Would like to get near Los Angeles if we do go west. If we go to California it will be out in the desert tho.
A kid a few bunks from me just got back from Minneapolis. He only had a three day pass but made it okay. If something happens and we don’t get shipped out, maybe with a bomber part of the way, I could get to Chicago. It would be swell if I could.
Hockey season should be ending in a few months and suppose you’ll go west again. If Cully gets through this he had better stay in a defence job and play safe.
Suppose your two daughters are still growing up fast. Haven’t ever seen Jeannie but hope to some day.
The three years mother spent as [a Christian Science] reader sure went fast. She enjoyed it but am certain it is some what of a relief not to have that to prepare every day of the week.
Being corporal of the guard is easy, but don’t get much sleep. I just have to post the new reliefs every three hours.
It has been swell being so close to Helen. I even wore Elmer’s suit a couple of times. It was risky but plenty of fun.
I like my work fine. It’s easy and not a lot of repair work to do. There will be plenty on the other side tho. Hope we go across in the near future. No point of being in the army if we’re going to lay around all the time.
Our squadron has been fully trained for quite awhile so are due to go. We hear new rumors every day as to where and when we will go but nothing ever develops. This latest threat might not even go through. Will just have to sweat it out.
Hope everything will work out for the best for all of you and know it will for me.
Thanks again for the Christmas gifts.
Bye for now,
Jim
P.S.
Helen said Elizabeth was visiting you. Tell me all about her. We have written to each other quite a bit so am anxious to know.
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