July 30, 1944 Sunday

745 Hickory St.
Abilene, TX

Dear Ma,

I have been planning to write to you all along, so don’t believe that Marjorie is solely responsible for this letter—tho she may have hastened it a bit. One day I even wrote a letter to you while I was working, but I lost it before I finished it. A lot of things have been going on and I’ve been pretty busy, too.

You will notice that our address is now 745 Hickory, instead of 1941 Grape. Thursday a store clerk asked Marjorie if she would look at a place on Hickory and she said yes for no real good reason. That night we wandered down just to keep our word and found the place to be a lot more convenient than our Grape St. room. It is easy walking distance from town, and we have much more to “do” with. We have a kitchen that we share with the lady we rent the room from, and they have a piano that Marjorie can use any time. Mrs. Watts and her daughter live in the other part of the house. They are fresh from living on a farm, and very homey folks. Marjorie likes this place much better than Terry’s. We feel so at home here—we run the place, really, they are so deferential to us.

Since I got back Bowie I have been in to Marjorie every night. Getting real domestic and having a lot of fun. Last night we went up in an airplane! We went to the airport and took a pleasure ride in a two passenger red cub cruiser. It was a big thrill for both of us. We flew over Abilene and Marjorie found our house but I didn’t. We went 1400 feet up, and the pilot did some dips that were fun.

Did Carlton get his present form us all right? We thought of him last night, and wished him a happy birthday. I think about big Bob a lot, too, and hope the Russians keep him out of the service for us.

Speaking of the Russians, Marjorie and I have a big war map in our room now, with all the towns the papers ever mention. We can follow the news very well with it.

This morning, as last Sunday, we went to church. Marjorie got breakfast before church—and it was our first meal in our new home. We just moved in here yesterday p.m.—took about 2 hours and taxi cab.

Out at camp, I am now running a rifle and carbine range wher we test enlisted men on field proficiency with weapons. They go thru individually, choosing positions and firing at silhouette targets. If they pass this and some other tests, they become “expert infantrymen” and get $5.00 more a month and a medal. It is hot work in this weather but the hours are regular, so I like it.

Well, I’ll try to write on my old schedule from now on, so write me too and let me know how things are at home.

Love to all,
Wallace