December 19, 1943

                                                            Dec. 19
Dear Folks:
            Its 6 P.M. and just got back from Florence, S.C. We went down this morning to pick up some enlisted men. Weather has been clear and cold this last week. We had just a little snow which is all gone now. Saw very little snow east of here. It got down to 5° below here. Got a card from Wright and he said it was 15° below back there.
            Thanks for the Christmas presents. Got the ring and braclet and razor blades. Both ring and braclet are a good fit. The ring feels like wearing a chunk of lead. Got some candy and handkerchiefs from Chris & Jo, a box of cookies from Aunt Hattie. Got cards from Aunt Jessie, Roscoe R., Henry Willmans, Fred & Margaret, Glen D., Ernest Fullertons, Oliver Batmans, Aunt Lou & Cora.
            My roommate got transferred to pilot training. That’s the second roommate I’ve lost that way. Ballard already had bombadiers wings and navigators wings. Anything to keep from going over seas. Ha! The combat crews are moving to a new base soon and we will get our mail thru our A.P.O. number so you may get a card with that on it. We will be there a month or two and our mail will be censored. Also restricted to the post, we are told. We got issued a good footlocker so I will send my own home this week with surplus junk.
            Had another show down inspection. This time we had to lug the stuff up to the hangar and spread it out while we were in our best clothes.
            Does your tractor burn gas or tractor fuel? Suppose Arlan, you’re home now. No, I didn’t have the flu. No, I don’t need a sweater. “Life” this week shows some vapor trails behind planes. In damp weather we see them behind the B-26 and it looks like a long streamer tied on each wing tip. Good programs on radio to-nite. Merry Christmas!
                                                            John