UNITED STATES NAVAL TRAINING STATION
GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS
June 4, 1944
Dear Ma,
Here it is Sunday an another hot day. There is a nice breeze blowing out now, but we don’t get much benefit of it in the barracks. One thing it is always cool at night, because of the lake.
You will probably be surprised when I tell you this, but I have gained four and a half pounds since I have been here. We aren’t worked so very hard here, but are kept tied up all day. We seldom get to sit down an you know how hard that would be on me. Things are a lot better now than they were. Thursday we start on work an after that I guess there isn’t suppose to be much to it.
It sure was to bad about Larry Banna getting killed. He was the only one of that tribe that I had any sense. He never did get a furlough from the time he entered the service. I understand that his services are today. Buck told me about it a then Beryle said so in her letter.
To tell the truth I don’t realize as much now as I did at home that there is a war on. They seldom discuss it here. We get quite a few papers, but I never read them. I do read the home town papers alright, I got both the Benton and Shullsburg paper yesterday. That was the only mail I got. I got your letter and Beryle’s this morning. There was a large bunch of mail today.
I went up to the Canteen last night an had a piece of pie, five scoops of ice cream, a malted milk and a pint of chocolate milk. It sure tasted good to get something cold when it was so hot. I also had my pictures taken an will send you one when I get them. It takes about five days.
I am quite surprised at Bennett’s moving so far away. Mrs. Bennett told me that they planned on getting away from there when Norm came home. I just can’t see their idea for moving either. I sure would have liked to have seen Norm. I guess that they will be gone before I get home.
If Ernest wants to use the car let him as long as you don’t need it. You needn’t go out of your way through.
I guess that Weston’s death will be about the end of Hank. It sure is to bad on him. He will have good care as long as Melissa is there. This hot weather will be a hard thing on both him and John. I won’t be a bit surprised to hear of both of them dying.
How is Rob coming? I guess his days are getting numbered too. Did they ever have anything at all for the Golden Wedding?
I am glad Billy liked the handkerchief. Maybe I will send her something else if I ever get time. It takes so long to get anything when you go to the Canteen a person don’t feel like going way often.
Since I started this letter I have went to chow and washed. Got everything clean now. but it won’t be for long. I guess Bob and Jim will be down today. Sure would like to see them.
Tell Rena May she should be here if she wants to see airplanes. See them going through all kinds of stunts. The roar of the motors is deafening when they go into some of these dives.
Our company is having a softball game today but I don’t think I will bother to play.
Can’t you get the old shotgun out an shoot those hawks. If Billy was a little bigger she could.
We had chicken today for dinner. but it is nothing like what I had at home. It isn’t cooked enough to suit me. I imagine we will have ice cream for supper, for we usually have it on Sunday. We had beans yesterday morning for breakfast.
Well ma I believe I will close for now a write to Betty Ann and Beryle.
Love
Howard
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