3 January 1942
Dear Folks:
Well, here it is 1942 and I hope and pray that it is a great year for all of us and that the US will soon win the war.
Again, I have a new address. It is now Co “C” 2d TK Bn, 2d Mar Div FMF Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. They have split up old Company “B” and half of us are the nucleus for the new copany. I am in the Captain’s office of the new company. His name is Captain Swensceski. He seems as if he will be a good skipper. Don’t be surprised if I don’t go up another notch in about two or three weeks. I bid my other pals in Co “B” goodbye today. They boarded ship and God only knows where they were going or when they will return.
Mother, I got the stamps in your letter and thanks. I also got the cigars from you today and they surely do taste swell. I am enjoying one of them now.
I got to spend New Years Eve with the Whitemans. Got there at seven and left at seven the next morning. One of the fellows in the company drove up and I rode with him. He goes to visit the Vice president of the bank where Bob works. I even went up in my kakhis and field shoes as we had been loading ship that day. Bob & Sara both acted like they were tickled to death to see me. Barbara went to a party at the church that evening and she was to cute fixing her nails getting ready to go.
The way things look now I won’t ship out of here for at least three more months as they are forming a new streamlined outfit and Co “C” of the tanks will be one of the units of combat.
Got my dog tags today. There were two of them which I have to wear around my neck at all times. It has my name, serial number, finger print and the date I received my tetnus shots on it.
It has been very rainy, muddy and chilly out here. But, I have found out that one can live in a tent and enjoy it. I now have two kerosene stoves going, a sweatshirt and a GI issue jacket on and I am just comfortable. GI means government issue.
My Bunkie, the fellow who lives with me is a Spanish fellow by the name of Jose “T” Sepulveda. His mother sent him the most delicious Mexican candy and what I mean we both have enjoyed it. She also sent him some panesitos de maizena (ask Libby what it means) they surely are good. He is going to get some recipts from his mother for me to send you and Libby. He is 21 years old and a very clean fellow to live with. He comes from Larado, Texas.
Received a cute letter from Anne and a picture or rather two pictures of Anne, Bobby and Mary Alice. Golly: has she ever grown.
Got a Christmas card from Pearl today with a little letter in it. I guess the letter has been chasing me as she sent it in c/o Platoon 112 to the MC Base at San Diego.
Tomorrow I have the duty for the new company. By that, I mean I march them to chow, have roll call and etc.
In the afternoon I am going to write some letters and in the morning I am planning on going to church and I will go unless something unusual happens.
Dad, that church magazine the Lookout has some interesting articles in it. Also, I get quite a kick out of the jokes in it.
Surely was sorry the aunts couldn’t get over to Roberts Christmas. Poor Aunt Ella must surely have her hands full.
Sorry the telegram didn’t reach you on Christmas day. They told me it would. That is the reason I sent it care of Roberts.
Now that we are getting organized I’ll get back on my regular return of writing you.
Love to all,
Leo
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