Jan 21, 1942
Camp Livingston, LA

Dear Mom,
Well, we got guard and KP duty now and I guess I’m a favorite, around here because it seems I rate everything. I got off guard tonight and anon and I am on KP Friday, the 23rd.
I’m glad they gave me a day between as I’m tuckered out. I had No 1 post, around Regimental HQ and had to keep moving, even if it was slow. I haven’t done anything in so long except drive that my legs feel like posts.
I had to quit smoking, pocketbook trouble, for the time being. By payday I’ll be so used to being broke, I won’t be happy with money.
Jack Muckes just came in. He is posted here and the Signal Company here in Louisiana. I knew he was here but I wouldn’t have recognized him if he hadn’t come in with Lester and Ed and hollering Smith.
I don’t have any ideas that we’ll have a chance to get home while we’re here but we have looked up Railroad and Airlines schedules just in case. It takes about a day and a half on the train and cost about $35. I don’t know just how long on the plane. About 10 hours, I imagine and cost about $120. Price is round trip. Don’t think I’ll ride much on a plane at that rate.
We are well settled here now, and it seems as though we’ve be here a year, the way we’ve settled into the routine.
Three companies eat in a huge mess hall (about 480 men) there are 8 KPs, and about 6 cooks besides 4 negro civilians to help.
The tables are set and have platters of food already on them. We just file in, hand our mess tickets to the assistant mess Sgt. and sit down at the tables and start in. The food is good and so far they always have had baking; cake, pies, donuts, etc. If this keeps up I’ll gain some more weight, if they don’t work me too hard, and I’ll see to that.
I just thought of an article (comic) in the “Penna Guardian“. I’ll send it. If you read the last part right it rhymes.
Uh-oh, Sergeant Davis just said that we were in Camp Livingston now but the address should be Camp Beauregard so you had better make it that when you write. Please tell Joe and have Wanda tell Peg about the change as I gave them the former address.
Well, I think I’ll close for now as it is getting late and I’m tired as you can probably tell by the writing and spelling.
Love to all, Wayne