January 17, 1944
Dear Mom and Dad,
Tomorrow morning I get out of the hospital after thirty-two days. For the last four or five
days I've been working hard on KP and whatnot, so I am not too weak, but I suspect that the first
few days of basic will be tough. The doctor an old major, gave me vitamins A, B, and D and an
iron compound which I take after each meal. I'll be glad to be free again, even if it is only to sit
motionless on the prairie listening to an incredibly dumb corporal explain for the tenth time
about field stripping a carbine, all the while combating an ice-cold wind that bites through any
amount of clothes. But it works I can field strip a carbine in my sleep. Also a tommy gun and
the Enfield rifle. With a little experimenting, I could probably remember R.O.T.C., and strip
Springfield, Garand, and .30 calibre heavy machine gun. My education for war is continuing.
I hope I won't have to stay more than a month completing basic. I am very anxious to
get on to school, and something worthwhile. If I hadn't gotten sick I might be shipping now.
One of the nurses took me down a few notches for being smart alecky and rude, which is
not surprising, you will remember. Some of the nurses by the way are extremely nice. I have
even seen some very pretty ones in the halls.
I just received your air mail letter of the 11th. Poor service, what?
I will be able to settle down now and save money, I will buy bonds, with you as co-owner
for awhile. I thought that I might give each of the kids a bond for a birthday present, though
which would slow down that for three months. Then I have to save some money in case of
furlough, but I don't know how I'll do it. We'll see how things turn out.
All my love,
Linus
January
17, 1944
