July 14, 1944

Dear Mom,

Your letter came yesterday, the one you mentioned about not going Down East. You might just as well go this summer as not, if you wait until the war is over, you'll probably still be waiting two years from now. Home not though. Take what you can while you can seems to be the motto now a days, so if you get the chance, go ahead and tell them I was asking for them.

You mentioned my letter being the reason for not going. I know dog-goned well that they're not that interesting because I usually scan back over them just before I seal the envelope, besides they seem to take so long not that a few days more or less wouldn't matter.

They gave is the whole day off today for some unknown reason. No one seems to know why, so I decided not to even question it, I'm using it to the best of my advantage. I made a combination bed lamp and desk lamp. No fancy paint on it, but it serves the purpose. Bill's letter came today with all the snapshots in it. You're still as pretty as ever, ever prettier with all your reducing. One can see that the girls in the family get their looks from their Ma and Pa.

You asked me about the ship. Yes, it's still the same one and a grand one it is too. Wish I could tell you more about what I ='m doing but if the censors caught up with me, there would be hell to pay.

I don't have any worries to bother me except for you folks back home. There's nobody else in the world to take your places.

I've got to have someone to tuck me in on those cold winter nights when I get back.

You know by now that there's two guys that aren't going to be in the next war. Me and the guy they send after me. Oh! I'm only kidding. I'm still gaining weight. I got pain yesterday and I'm happy.

Lost of Love and Loads of Kisses As Ever,

Al

P.S. Please send chocolates and hair tonic.