August 2, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 2, 1943

Mon.    6:00 P.M.

Darling Mark –

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

I finally got a letter today. First one since last Tues. I thought you was already in the Marines or I would have written. I hope you got the idea out of your head by now.

         I didn’t hear the record but I’m curious to know what the words were.

         I thought things were tough around here, but I’ve found out how much tougher they can be. Mainly – we have to dress in khaki every nite for chow. We have to dress in khaki to leave the co. area – go to a show & go see the ball-game, which is right next to our tents. I’m going to just sit in my tent & watch it. We can only get out of camp on week-ends from 5:00 Sat. nite till 12:00 Sun. nite. We get 1 -3 day pass between now & Oct. 16! I think I’ll go to L.A. in a couple of weeks & hibernate till Oct.

Wed. we go out & fire the 37 M.M.  We’ll probably be out a couple of days.

         I started to a show last nite when a guy walks in & starts telling me how blue he was. By the time he left 10:00 P.M. I didn’t see any show & was blue myself. I don’t know why in the hell they have to tell me about their girl friends – as if I don’t think a hell of a lot about a certain girl friend & miss her more than any of them miss theirs.

         Things are getting monotonous around here – same old drill – we’ve had dozens of times before.

         I’m getting so I don’t care what they do – I’ve taken this much – I can take anything they can hand out. Even restrictions. But they had better not cut out mail call or they’ll be about a Div. that would go over the hill.

         I guess this is enough griping.

         How is everybody home? I got a letter from Mom yesterday. She & Dora went up to see Ralph in Lincoln last Sat.

         Well honey, I’d better close for tonite. I’ve got to shower & shave yet. I’ll write tomorrow – letter or no letter.

         Honey – don’t forget I miss you & think of you an awful lot.  Bye now.  Write Soon.

         X       X       X

All My Love                 Johnny              X O X

X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

P.S.   I just happened to look at the picture of you & Lu & seen the question you asked inside the envelope? Well – I had a guy mail it for me that went to Las Vegas, cause I thought you would get it sooner. See?

P.S. AGAIN.        I just run across that post – card – all I can say is I wish I was the plumber - Murder!!