October 9, 1944

Oct. 9, 1944

So. Pacific

Dear Mom & Dad:

Just got your letter of Sept. 20 a couple of days ago. You said you had not left home as yet, but just yesterday I got a letter from Dot dated Sept. 28th saying that you had arrived in N.Y.

Elaine also included a note in Dot’s letter telling me all about her antics in that great state & city of New York. I was certainly surprised to hear her say that she was planning to stay right there & not return home. Gosh, what’s happened to the two great families of Johnson & Alquist – they’re sorta scattering all over the face of the earth aren’t they? I spose you & Dad’ll move there next & I’ll have no one to come home to. Of course it would serve me right for staying away so long.

The European news has sort of quieted down now hasn’t it. It changes so little from day to day that we’ve decided to not listen to the radio for a week or two & then see if we can notice any change. Very discouraging – I certainly hope something drastic happens soon either here or there. We’re all getting mighty impatient & no doubt you folks are too.

Just got thru playing 5 or 6 games of volley-ball, & then took a very refreshing shower. The bugle just blew so I’m going to have to stand retreat. Will be back to finish this letter after the ceremony.

That’s over with for another night. Well lets see what’s ahead for this evening. After show we’ll no doubt knock out about two rubbers of bridge. Then we’ll take off for the show – it’s a “who done it” tonight. After the show I’ll censor a few letters, prepare a little for tomorrows schedule and then hit the hay. What a life – strictly G.I.!

Last night we saw “Private Hargrave” and enjoyed it very much. It brought back memories of good old Ft. Bragg. I used to think I was a long long way from home then. If I only knew. We also saw another excellent comedy last week, called “Rationing” with Wallace Beery. He’s getting along in years but certainly hasn’t lost a bit of his punch.

Was surprised to hear about Clayte being around town – haven’t heard from him for a long time. Don’t be too sorry for him not getting what he wants in the army. Personally I think he’s had a soft touch being stationed so close to home and his wife all the time. That MP job is a racket anyway. Wait till he gets over here in this lonely Pacific and gets a taste of some real soldiering. He’ll realize how fortunate he’s been.

Well enough for now. Will write more later. Hope you’re both fine.

Love, Dorance

P.S. Don’t need anything out of that footlocker that was in your list. However I have a hunch there was a clipboard in there which I could use. Also see if there is a little red book in there called Logarithmic, Trig. & Short Base tables. Could use it too. Send them.