December 14, 1943

Dear Mom,

How's the headache these cold winter days? I'm hoping with all my heart that they disappear one of these hectic days and never come back.

I received your box of presents. It's sure attempting to open them up but my will power has been strong enough to the present date.

The following day:

Thank you one and all for the gifts.

My weekend was spent in a little southern town called Newport. I met a girl one Sunday morning about two weeks ago that worked out here in the transportation office and she gave me her phone number. I called her up last week and she wanted me and a couple of my friends to go down to her house for over the weekend. Her name is Mary. She has six sisters and four brothers. They are a typical southern family. They're poor people but never worry about a thing. The town has two stores and they live on the outskirts. They have cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, and a big garden.

The three of us ate like hogs. Her mom could really cook. The meals reminded me of you Ma. We went swimming, boating, fishing and to church on Sunday. If the kids even said "gosh "her mother gave them heck. She was really from the old school. There was nothing illiterate about any of the family. It surprised me.

Just imagine taking in three of us and giving us a place to sleep for two days.

Mary only has a 1939 Chevy but it will have to do. My girl with a 1942 Buick convertible came back from Miami Sunday night and came out to pick me up but when she got here they told her I has gone for the weekend so she's only called me once since then. I guess she must be angry with me. Mary has better tires anyway!

I'm sending an envelope with a couple of forms and a bunch of stamps I was obliged to buy. The papers are just a matter of coarse. My "will ". That's a laugh.

They put on USO show last night. It was the first one I had ever seen. They had a real nice show.

Love and Kisses to you As Ever

Your Loving Son Al