February 7, 1943

                                                Feb 7
Dear Folks:
            Lovely day to-day. Is starting spring down here I believe because grass is starting up. Went to chapel this morning. We have a new man, a captain, for a chaplain. He gave a very good sermon. He is dark and handsome and has a southern drawl. I’m getting so that I can immatate the southern accent myself.
            Am sending a picture we took 2 weeks ago today. I took a few pictures on my camera and yesterday we were ordered to check our cameras in at the supply room. We are out of quarantine again. To celebrate they put 3/4 of the men in this barracks on K.P. and Guard Duty! — today. Bks 1700 is looking forward to an open post on Wednesday and will be pretty disappointed if we don’t get it. Am sending $60 which you can use as you want. Yes, I got a letter from Harry W.
            Got a letter from Harry Adamson. He said Harold Hundley was coming down here. He must be here now but I can’t locate him. Could you call his folks & get his address? Especially squadron number & barracks number. Heard over radio that shoes are to be rationed.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
P.S. About the picture. The man in the back row, second from the right was born in Csecoslovakia, Drahos by name. Man in front on the left came from the Navy. The man with the shirt on is a navigator and has gone. The man next to him went to Drake University. I have another picture coming that was taken later. Did my first “lesson in conduct” which was 2 hrs. of marching. I got a “gig” because the mops were disarranged in the mop rack. Did I tell you we get on hands and knees and scrub the floor once a week. We have to buy the soap to do it, though.