Note:

Dear Willard, Grace and All:

I have received the letters which you sent through various methods of mailing. I might say that I have also received the letter in which you mentioned the glasses – that long one on V-Mail. I answered that and probably neglected to give you the impression that I received it OK by not mentioning the glasses. However, I mentioned something in one of my letters about not trying the V-Mail. That was just to make sure I could read them when I got them. I got that one letter before I came here – that long one. Go ahead and type them just use a good ribbon and fairly clean letters.

Now, about the glasses. I did things in such a hurry before leaving that I did not realize how efficient I really was. I managed to carry along about everything I needed and the glasses were eventually found. So hold onto those until a later date. You can see that the answers to your latest letters — three which I just received — is a little behind, but mail is gradually beginning to catch up and as I receive yours more promptly after you begin to use this address — all the others I have received so far have been addressed to APO 7712 — you will get more up to date answers. My mail should reach you more promptly than yours reaches me when I move around and you can probably understand why that is. Let me know what kind of service you are getting on V-Mail or any Air Mail that I might happen to send.

So they finally got Howard in. Taking him in is one of those things that gripes me. After all, you might as well take a man with one arm. Of course there are many others in the Army with similar handicaps, but the gripe I have against it is the fact that they leave so doggone many of those baseball players stay out — these guys that are physically fit to play only 150 games per year, slide all over a field on their fannies, collect anywhere from $5 to $50,000 dollars, and yet they’re not good enough for this Army. Seems to me they bend over backwards to keep them out, and I think it’s time people should do something about such things. After all, they are no better than the rest of us who have to stick our necks out. What do you think? So much for that.

I can say something here about English money that we use. A pound is worth about 4 dollars. When I first got one in my hands it reminded me of a Mother’s Oats coupon. It’s just a little bigger than that. Then the coins are half-penny, pronounced “aypenny” which is worth about one cent; next is a penny which is worth about two cents. Then there is Threepence which is pronounced “thruppence” and is worth about 5 cents. Then there is a Sixpence which is worth about a dime. A shilling comes next and is worth about 20 cents. Then a two shilling piece. Then a Half-Crown which is worth about half a dollar. Everything is figured on a penny basis. For instance, Threepence piece is equivalent to 3 pennies. A shilling, 12 pennies. A Half-Crown is two shillings, 6 pence or equivalent to 30 pennies. 20 shillings make a pound. Just thought you might be interested in this.

Russell

England