Monday, November 20, 1967

Nov. 20, 1967

Monday

Dear Mother + Dad,

It's been about a week since I last wrote. I have got two letters from you since then, one of them came today.

I hope this letter brings you good news. If you noticed the return address, I am now third class. I found out last Wed. and sewed the "crow" on today. I figure I have about $123 in back pay coming. I'll get this next pay day. Now I'll get $84 a pay day instead of the usual $65. So, I should end up with about $200 pay next time.

It really feels great. Its like getting your report card and finding out you passed to the next grade. Now, I've got a chance to make second before I get out.

I have decided to come home for Christmas. I will be home for about 14 days starting on Dec. 19th. Of course, the way they run things here, there might be something to change that somewhat. But at any rate, it's a pretty sure thing.

I'm glad to hear that Bill's car is back. It should help boost his morale, if he makes it home.

This weekend I'll probably go up to Georgia Mae's again. She said she would like to have us up there for the Thanksgiving holidays, but I have duty Thanksgiving day and won't be able to make it till Friday evening.

I would have liked to talked to grandma that day when she called but of course I was asleep. I think it did more good for Bill to talk to her than it would have me.

We had our first rain here yesterday in over seven weeks. The weather is so nice I can't believe it. I will have to be ready for the cold weather when I come home, so had better get my p-coat cleaned.

I really can't think of what I would like for Christmas. There isn't anything I need and I wouldn't have any room to keep anything I could use. I'll give it a lot of hard thought and try to come up with something by the next time I write.

I hope you like these pictures. Bill sent the ones you took to Georgia Mae and she sent them on to me to send back with the ones I took.

I still haven't got that package you wrote the note about. Perhaps it will get here tomorrow or the day after.

I am glad to hear that one of the radios got there. I would rather have you let that man in Springfield put them together than wait for me to do it at Christmas. I intend to use that time for rest + relaxation and would rather not be occupied by that.

Danny Wiggins predicted to Bill and me last summer that someday he would be a family man. I guess he is getting off to a start. He ought to stay in the Army for another six years, they could really use his kind. ha ha

We have one more operation to go out on. This one starts next Monday and lasts for about 5 days. We'll be here in port till the 16 of January when we go on the operation that really counts.

It sounds like Daddy is keeping pretty busy around the house and with the stamp auctions. I suppose the new stove ought to make the food taste better, but come to think of it, it always was pretty good. Tell David not to get too lazy over the holidays and to keep at his school work. He can start to slack-off after the year is a little over half way through, but its the time now that counts. I'm sure he will get through this year in pretty good shape.

I'm glad to hear he is taking an interest in the glee club at school.

You might be wondering why I haven't sent any money home for a while. I have lent quite a bit to Bill and am saving most of it to come home on. I'll probably put some in the bank when I get home.

Its almost 7:30 here and I have to iron my dungarees for tomorrow then will go over to the show on the base. I'll be waiting to hear from you & again and will write in about a week.

Bye

Your son,

Mike

P.S. If you "happen" to see Bill before I do, give him these "portraits" of himself.