OCTOBER 24,1944
Very Early Wednesday Morning
FRANCE
 
Dear Mother and Dad,
         It's about 2 AM and I am Duty Officer at Regimental Hq. . In another hour I'll turn in.
         We have been in combat - Italy wasn't all sightseeing. However, the picture I sent you was taken after one stretch of service in the lines, and it didn't seem to do me any harm. Actually, the work I do can't be called true combat service. I don't eat cold food, sleep in a foxhole, or stay out in the rain all the time. Besides I'm not up where the bullets are flying.
         At present our headquarters is in a middle class French home. It's located about a half mile from a small town. Evidently the man of the house works in town, or more probably, has a small business there. The house has a fine yard, and also large vegetable gardens, and coops for rabbits and chickens. The house itself, and the woman of the house are interesting. She is a stern looking character, and evidently a hard, unrelenting worker. The house certainly reflects her efforts, and she hovers around, guarding and protecting it.
         ...
         Yesterday - after a long delay, we started to get some mail again. I received your letters of Sept. 10, 15, and Oct 1. I'm glad to hear that Jimmy is getting along alright, and that Joan likes her new life. You certainly have a military family.
         I can't think of much more to say, except that it's getting close to the time for me to go back to bed again.
         ED