January 21, 1945 Sunday

Dear Folks,

There is very little news to write you today, but for once I cannot say truthfully that I am too busy to write. I have written Marjorie all the details of my life since I became a hospital habitué, and she has no doubt passed them on to you.

I am reveling in this ultra-modern, comfortable general hospital. Heavenly is the only word for it after being so long under the exposures of winter fighting. I just sleep & sleep. Then eat, then read a little, write a little and sleep some more. Ah beds, ah pillows, ah warm rooms! I hope I stay here a long time. Won’t be too long tho, with a scratch like mine. I haven’t had a sick or painful day with it—so this is like a rest camp for me and I appreciate it as such.

How is everything on the home front? I do like to hear from you—Ma’s letters are just naturally a hunk of 23 Pleasant St. and receiving one is almost as good as spending an evening at home. I can’t remember of ever acknowledging the occasional letters Pa has sent—I can realize how great the pressure on him must have been, and I can follow his viewpoint about Ma’s letters representing him. In fact, I can see a lot of Pa’s viewpoints now. As somebody else has said, it’s surprising how much father has learned since Iwas 18. I rather think we’ll have some good talks when I get home again. Meantime, I hope Marjorie can hold up my end of the conversation for me.

Ma, you always claim an interest in my daily life, so here goes. I live in a room with 2 other wounded lieutenants—Ernie Shelton from Missouri and Hughs from South Carolina. We live in our pajamas and eat from trays at 8, 12, & 5. Our duties are nil, but we do censor mail when and if we want to. We go down to the radio for latest news reports, read, write, and talk about the war on this front. These men were with the 7th Army, too, so we have had many experiences in common. Two other things I do—wash up daily, and try to chew enough gum & smoke enough cigarettes to keep ahead of all the good people who insist on giving us these items. It is impossible, I have a big bagful in store already.

Those pictures of the whole family you sent me in that Xmas box were excellent, I thought. I hope they are still with the company, but right now I haven’t even got a dog tag, so you can see how hard up I am for equipment! I am completely in the hands of Uncle Sam for re-supply of everything now.

Let me know how Carl, Big Russ and you are all faring.

Your loving son, Wallace.