Kansas City, Mo.
May 11, 1943
Dear Howard,
It is now 2:00 A.M. and I am sitting writing letters before going to bed. My roommate is already in bed. Everything is going swell here except for 4 days of rain! It finally did clear up today. School is going along fine. I have a 93 average so far. Except for a bad third week I would have had it up about 97. This stuff is really hard. We are taking a 9 month course in 13 weeks so you can see how fast they shoot it at us. Right now we are studying vacuum tubes, rectifiers, amplifiers and power supplies so you can see we are right busy. In about 2 weeks we will start from scratch and build our own sets.
I am putting on weight. I guess they feed us too darn good. Besides I eat a lot between meals. I go to the “Y” and play basketball and swim about twice a week and we have calisthenics once a week but still I gain.
This is a swell town for the soldiers. Always something to do. We put in busy weekends. As an example I will tell you what we did last weekend. Sat. nite my pal and I went to the stage show “Cavalcade of Stars” starring Barry Wood. He was swell as was the rest of the show. After the show we went to the U.S.O. and danced. Sunday afternoon we went to the show “Human Comedy” with Mickey Rooney. Have you seen it??
In the early evening we went to the Canteen and danced – from there we went to the Pla-mor, a beautiful dance Hall, and danced to Ace Brigade and his orchestra. The Pla-mor is certainly a swell place. It is Air conditioned and all.
I have been bowling several times but my best is about 165. Not too good. Have you gone lately? I suppose you are pretty busy these days. Mary says you are having a cold spring.
The boy I chum around with isn’t in the room with me but we chum around all the time except when we are sleeping. His name is Bill Turnbow and he is from Oregon. He is about my age, loads of fun and a swell sport. On top of everything else he is extremely smart. He reminds me a lot of Othelle. He has the same happy go-lucky way with him! I sure hate to see the day come when we will have to part.
The war news in Africa looks good. Now to crack the Continent. I believe I am going to feel sort of left out if I don’t see some foreign service even if I don’t look forward to the day we will have to leave the states. This Army life is something I will never regret. It has taught me lots of things. And I have met some darn wonderful people. I believe most of the fellows will share my sentiments. It will be tough at times – I haven’t seen (outside of my 5-6 weeks basic training) any hard life yet but I know that it is coming but I am really looking forward to it. I guess you get that way after being in Sawville.
P.S. Write real soon. Will write to Bill soon. I will write to Bill soon.
Tell everyone hello for me. I owe everyone letters it seems but I have a pretty busy life.
Be sure to remember my P.T. Senior, Jenelda, your mother & Rena Mae the Boothys, Jim Smart, George, Jack P. Fluff and just everyone. I wish I could see you all. Must close and get to bed.
As ever Art
(Confidentially) (Keep this under your hat) (The girls here are o.k.)
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