JANUARY 21,1945
Sunday Morning
FRANCE
 
Dear Mother and Dad,
          I received letters from both of you during the last two days. Mother's was dated Dec. 27, Dad's was Dec. 31. The thing that was of most note - was the concern both of you expressed for my safety.
          Generally, and especially at present, the chances of my getting hurt in action are extremely remote. I'm more likely to get hit by a jeep or a speeding Frenchman. I will have to admit that your concern sometimes makes me alittle nervous. I frequently postpone writing because if I am not feeling bright and cheerful, I know that you will put the worst possible meaning on anything I say.
          Usually your fears are actually unbased, like the time I used Red Cross stationary. It happened that I was in a comfortable club in a big Italian city at the time.
          You mentioned that you wondered what I did Christmas. The watch word was business as usual - but the day was marked by some special observances. Christmas Eve, I was duty officer. I started at 0100 in the morning - and stayed on for the rest of the night. The only thing that happened was that at 0200 the executive officer came in - in had been to a nearby large city. He complained that there was no sentinel on the post outside - so I had to check that.
          After breakfast, the regular days business began. Later in the morning I had to escort a visiting fireman (slang for unwelcome guest in combat zone ) on a tour of our sector. The visitor was a Reader's Digest writer. First we stopped at the command post of one of our battalions. It was just about time then for Christmas dinner. By the way it was quite a beautiful day.
          Christmas dinner was quite an affair there. The battalion commander presided over a well set table around which were gathered his staff, and the officers of the battalion headquarters company. He carved the turkey and the S-1 poured cognac. The dinner was very complete and even included ice cream that the battalion supply officer had made locally. They had made enough for the whole battalion.
          After dinner, the battalion commander, the writer, and myself went up to one of our forward positions, then returned to the battalion command post about 0500 in the evening. The writer and I started back to the regimental command post. That night, the regimental staff, and about 16 other officers, who are known as the 'special staff' assembled for a buffet supper in the large living room of the château I told you about before.
          It was quite an affair. There was a big fire in the open fireplace - and in addition to the electric lights we lit the candles on the big center chandelier. Part of the band functions as an orchestra and it was there too. Just as they were playing the regimental song, the colonel entered, everyone stood - and the evening was underway. It didn't last too long - by 0930 it was over. I went to bed then since I had been up since 0100 the morning before.
          You may have noticed that there is no reference to church. I didn't get a chance to go this year, but probably I will next year. It's about time to eat now so I'll say goodbye.
 

         ED