December 9, 1942

                                       Dec 9
Dear Folks:
            Am writing this from the Guard House!! Wait a minute, I’m on duty here. We do guard duty for 24 hrs. We are on guard 4 hrs. off 8 hrs., on another 4, and off for 8 hrs. Have to stay at guard house during the two 8 hr. periods off and walk the post during the two 4 hr. stretches. I walked from 2 PM to 6 PM and 2 AM to 6 A.M. Carried a rifle & fixed bayonet.
            Went to church last Sunday. The chapel is about the size of the Christian church in Clay. It is equipped with a pipe organ. The chaplain was Baptist and gave a good sermon.
            Had the first shots last week. One Typhoid and one Tetanus. The Tetnus made my arm a little sore. Moved from one barracks to another yesterday so am now in 1693. Do not put the barracks number in my address since the mail clerk at the orderly room knows our barracks number and I may be moved around quite a bit. What was the matter with Dale Elliot?
            Just got another bunch of “Dispatches.” Thanks for the duster. Have been using a dry rag to dust with. Also got your card and some nail polish from Marvel Lee. Also got a letter from Rev. Elliot.
            Another group of “civilians” arrived last nite — about twice the size of the group I came in. We now have double-deck beds in the barracks. The lockers are getting a little crowded, consequently, so keep most of my stuff in a barracks bag. Surely took my clothes a long time to get there. Some snow you had. My new bunk mate gets the K.C. Star. We get up a[t] 5:15 A.M. Think I told you in last letter I was classified as “fit for pilot training.” Where’s Harry by now? We don’t have to be quiet any time in barrack, so we are not. Don’t bother with a camera as I know a guy that has a fairly good one. I have a button polishing outfit.
            Yours truly
                        John