Camp Murphy, Fla.
October 17, 1943
Dear Howard,
I’m finally getting started to answer some of my back mail. I’ll tell you this barracks it’s getting to be quite a place. We have one fat who is quite an outdoor man. About a month ago he came home one night with a small alligator. We still have it in a pen outside. Another day he came in with a couple of big crabs and they were running around all night. Today he came home with a grass snake and a Cotton Mouth (Water Moccasin). The Cotton mouth is deadly poison but he cut the fangs out. So you see we have a regular menagerie. One of the fellows is running around with the grass snake now scaring the dickens out of some of the boys. Oh, I forget the turtle we have.
I went fishing today. Caught a pike, trout, and a sea bass. We rent a power boat and trawled up and down the Indian River. Have a lot of fun. Last Sunday I caught a 2 ft sea bass and a jack and sea trout about the same size. We caught 8 altogether last week and only three today. My friend and myself cleaned them and asked the Cook if we could cook them for supper. He said O.K. So we had fresh for supper.
Well after a heck of a rainy season we finally have some nice weather. It gets so cold at night that we sleep under a wool blanket and a comforter but really warms up in the daytime. I went fishing today in my swimming trunks.
I only have about 3 weeks (4 at the most) here. Am nearly finished with my course! I have my application in for Cadet and have high hopes of making it! I hate to get my hopes too high although. I should be called up for my exam any day now. Sure do hope I can make it.
I haven’t got to Miami to see Eldon yet. Would like to see him, though. I heard from Virginia that Ethel is now in Africa. I sure was relieved to hear he was safe. He just didn’t stay long after he got in the Paratroopers did he? If I don’t get into Cadet training you can be saying Goodbye to me pretty darn quick too.
I hear from Willard all the time and I know I owe him a letter. My good friend shipped to Georgia and is getting ready to go across. He had already taken his overseas exam. I sure did hate to see him leave. He was a swell friend.
It’s nearly time to put the lights out so I guess I had better sign off.
Give My regards to everyone and be sure and remember me to Beryle. Hope you two are getting along O.K. After all I started that didn’t I? At least I helped.
Write when you have the time. I think of you often and wonder how you are. How did you like the N. D. – Wis. Game? Terrible wasn’t it? And how about the Worlds Series? I’d sure like to be home for some hunting. I’ve my fingers crossed.
As ever
Your pal
Art
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