January 31, 1943

                                                Jan 31
Dear Folks:
            Warm and cloudy today. Have all doors and windows open. A new major is in charge here and he is cracking down some. Everyone has to hit formations on the double (run). Also, one barracks out of each squadron gets “open post” each week beginning Feb. 10. The barracks that gets the highest rating on inspection and general conduct is the one that gets the open post. We are expecting another bunch of new men to move in to-day. The navigators and bombadiers moved out last Tuesday. 12 of them were from 1700. They wrote us letters back saying how much better things were a[t] Ellington Field than here. 4 men to a room and open post every week end from 3 PM Sat. until 10 PM Sunday. They are close to Houston, Texas.
            The two men that had the mumps came back Saturday. Last week a water main just east of this barracks sprang a leak and flooded the ground between 1700 and 1698. Got a slip last week showing I had finished my shots. I was beginning to wonder if they had lost the slip and I would have to take all those shots again. That seems to happen quite often in the army.
            Went to chapel this morning. It was the first time in wks. The chaplain is being transferred this week to another field.
            Thanks for the cookies. Every body liked them. Arrived in good shape and were moist. Popcorn must have kept them that way. Also got the books in good shape.
            1700 took second place in an inter-squadron sing last week. This barracks was picked to represent Squadron 107 in the sing. When marching to the PT (physical training) and back we always sing. Tomorrow is pay day again. Arlan is going to mail a math handbook. We are not supposed to tell the number of men in a barracks. There is a lot more than Martha thinks in one barracks. I bought the scarf at the PX.
            Sunday nite. About half of 1700 was sitting on the back step singing tonite. We just came in. How is coal holding out?
                                    Yours truly
                                                John