April 16, 1941
Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA

Dear Mother,
I got your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you. I’ve written to Ruth a couple of times but have no answer as yet. I haven’t heard from Uncle Ken or Uncle Jay yet, either.

I didn’t go to church Sunday as I was on guard duty, but I guess they had a nice service.

I had forgotten about Eileen‘s birthday. I could have sent something if I had, but maybe I’ll have something when I come up which by the way will probably be next month.

Say, you’re mentioning the folks going to Seneca Falls gives me an idea. What is Francis and Helen‘s address? I can’t remember it.

Let me know how Jay’s leg and arm are. I bet they’re sore. Also how Ben is and if you see him tell him I said hello.

I am reading your letter over as I go so if things don’t come in the right order it’s just that I get certain ideas and have to write them down before I forget them.

I would have bet on its raining here every day this week, and by gosh, it hasn’t yet. Wish it would as this weather is very uncomfortable.

What’s the matter with Joe Ashley? Is he going soft in his old age or didn’t he think he was saying? Pretty decent of him to apologize though.

Tell Joe R. that I thought it’s a little late for Happy Birthday, I can wish him a happy year until the next one and by the way tell Junior that I haven’t had a letter from him yet that I can remember.

Well that’s all for that part so I’ll try a little on my own hook.
As I said on Wanda‘s card I have two wrist watches, a Westclox “Judge” and a .7 Jewel, New Haverd. I think I can remember Jay’s birthday, if you catch.

As far as our activities are concerned (this sounds a little twisted) I will relate them now. Monday we had classes all day. Tuesday we had classes until noon and in the afternoon went out to the parade ground to listen to the division bands (Regimental) compete. Most of them were good. Then we went out on bivouac for a couple of hours last night. Today we had maneuvers and Divisional inspection of the medics in action. I was in the seriously wounded tent in charge of dressing litters which is somewhat easier than carrying one. I don’t know how many “wounded” really did go through.

I mentioned our “Ragged++Brigade” (it has a middle name but we can’t have it on our standard) in the card. We went by Company A last night, while in uniform consisting of summer slacks rolled to the knees, summer shirts unbuttoned half way and no ties, steel helmets and anything else we could find to be against regulations. (We can do what we please after 6 PM) and they said mournfully Company B can do anything. We’ve done pretty good so far.

Tell everyone hello and I’ll write to the kids later.
Love, Wayne