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February 6th 1944 Dearest Mom and All

To start off, I've been able to organize the letters I found from Dad's military service while packing up. In the coming days I'll be publishing the letters that lead up to his deployment on the continent. 
Images followed by a typed version. 




Feb 6, 1944
Dearest Mom & All,

I meant to get this started earlier in the evening but Slim & Red grabbed me and took me over to the Field House on the other side of camp. The Roanoke Kiwanis club brought MP their Minstrel show and it was a 'hum-dinger'! They certainly raked up a lot of talent for a town of 60,000, the prettiest chorus line I've seen in an army show. We stayed a while after the show and talked to the manager and some of the troupe. Their next stop is White Sulfur Springs (Where our Sigma Nu Convention was held in 1941). It is now a big army rest home.

Yes mom, I got your wire the day you sent it-you must have hopped right down to Western Union. I feel much relieved right now.

John Stewart seems to get all the tough breaks doesn't he, and just when he was really getting down to some real family life.

Mother Smith wrote me a nice letter with Leona's last. Dr Coombs sounds like an excellent choice for Leona. He worked with their family Dr (Dr Beesly I believe) before he died, and he's the first Dr. Leona has approved of. He is supposed to be well up on latest methods and being in the stake High Council is the best recommendation I can think of.

My school is out Thursday so if all goes well I'll be home before long. I'll have to wire Leona for some money to get home on but I won't until I find out when I'm coming. I don't like to keep too much money around and it can be wired out here in a day's time.

Spence seems to be getting along pretty well in the army and Aunt Bea is still his favorite. I got a letter from Wes a few days ago he's doing all right for himself. He's a Tec 5 (corporal) now and is working with radio. He's all set for overseas again though. I hope we hit the same theater of action together. I'd really like to see that boy again.

Gee mom but I can't wait to get home. It's been so long since I had my mom & family near to love me. That's just one thing the army has overlooked.

Well Pat- what a beautiful letter you write! I can readily see that my sis is going to give me quite a shock when I see her again. It seems only such a little while ago you were just learning to write and now I envy your penmanship. Out on dates too, eh, and soon you'll be wowing the boys at south. Don't just grow up and get married before I get to see you honey-I want my little sis to stay little for awhile longer so I can still baby her when I get home.

I'll bet Janey will pull the same trick on me and grow so fast I won't know her. She just better have a big hug & kiss for me when I get there though.

Ken-You don't have to excuse your handwriting. I wish I could do as well. This script of mine is terrible and sometime I'm going to get down and learn to write all over again. How do you like R. O. T. C. Ken? Learn all you can in there, it's good stuff. I see Spanish is still your favorite subject. Well just keep it up and I know you'll go places.

It's getting late and the day room will be closing in a few minutes so I'll have to close. I hope I get to see you all before too long

Loads of Love,
Lu




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