Date: Mar 16, 1941 (Sun)
From: Wayne A. Smith
To: Velma Smith
Location: Indiantown Gap, PA

Dear Mother,
I received your letter this morning. Leland had it as it came in yesterday while I was in town.

We got the box ok though the cookies were a little broken up. The fudge was very good everyone thought so I guess. I put about half of the fudge and the sack of jellybeans in my locker before the rush started so Leland and I had candy for a couple of days.

I wrote a card to Ruth and a letter to you Tuesday, I believe maybe it was lost and hasn’t gotten there yet.

A lot of the boys went home or to Lebanon and Harrisburg. I hadn’t intended to go so I didn’t apply for a pass but about 1 o’clock two of the boys, Bob Rumsey and Ingham wanted me to go with them. We walked to Harpers Ferry Tavern (about 2 miles) and caught a ride on a government truck the rest of the way.

We went to a show “The Face Behind the Mask”. It was good. We also went into two restaurants to get some good coffee for a change. Then we walked around the town to see what there was to see. We found a rollerskating rink but it didn’t open till 8 o’clock so we figured we didn’t have time as we had to be in camp before 10 o’clock “or else”.

Leland is a Corporal now and several others have been stepped up to take the place of first Sergeant Irwin and Sergeant Carpenter who were made second Lieutenant this week.

We get 117 selectee’s by 1 April so it will be quite a company.
We went to church today and sang “Some Mother Prays for You”. One fellow got up and walked out and several others had tears in their eyes. There were about 53 enlisted men, 11 officers from Captain to the Colonel, a nine piece band (a darn good one too) and our regimental chaplain Captain Drumheller. It was in my estimation the best service I have ever attended.

I sent the card to Ruth Monday and a letter Tuesday and got one from her Thursday. I haven’t written to anyone else yet but suppose I’ll have to.

I don’t have any idea how that fire started. I remember the match and safety pin and a part of the cellophane gum wrapper in the pocket but there must have been some friction to light a match. I don’t feel bad about the coat even though it was a good one, as it could’ve been a whole lot worse.

Well that’s all I can think of now besides telling the folks hello so close.

With love to all,
Wayne

P.S. I have about a dollar left now but expect to get a drill check of about six dollars tomorrow. The rest of the outfit has already gotten theirs. Thanks for the stamps. W. S.