11-8-1944

(Ansbury Park, N.J.)

Dearest Mother, Dad, Shirlee, & Rhoda;
I hope you will excuse it if I haven’t written for a day or so, but I have really been on a “fouled up” schedule. I have a watch that is 4 hours on duty and eight hours off—in the eight hours off we have to sleep, eat, clean up, and everything else. It isn’t a hard watch or anything but just clumsy. I stand from 4 P.M to 8 P.M. and from 4 A.M. until 8 A.M. My watch is on he boardwalk along the beach. It is really beautiful to watch the ocean at night and in the morning. It really gets cold out there, too, but you should see the clothing they issue us. It is heavy canvas cover-alls and coats lines with an inch of wool & cotton with a fur collar. We also have heavy mittens, 7 hats with ear pieces that buckle under the chin. When you get all of that on you really are warm.
I don’t know as yet when we will ship out but I guess it will be a while yet. We have no idea where we will go but it will be East of Chicago, because there are no schools west of there.
I received another letter from Shirlee H. and she told me all about the U.of U. etc.
I also rec’d another letter from Don. He said he was getting along O.K. and that all is very interesting where he is and I imagine it is. I surely would like to be with him.
Well, I had better answer Don’s letter and a few others so best of Love and I hope you are O.K.
(This East Coast is Lousy)
Lots of Love
Bill
How is the election going—I hope it is for Roosevelt. (I think, However it will be close
Bill
I forgot to mention that laundry I sent home. Send it to the laundry, Mother, don’t do it yourself because it is too much work. Please keep it “all” at home because I won’t need it. I will also send some more “clean” gear so you can shove it all in that sea-bag and just leave it.
Well, lots of Love again
Bill