14 Aug 1942
Dear Folks:
The other day I received 13 letters at once. Boy! Oh boy did that make me happy because where I am now mail is plenty scarce.
Was glad you got the package. Well I mailed you another one just before I sailed the last time. Also, I was glad the bank got the allotment. One will be coming through each month.
Got some letters from Elizabeth, Robert & Mary in the group I received yours in. Write and write often because sooner or later I’ll get them.
Yes, I think it would be just as well if you clipped out interesting items and sent to me because I haven’t received the newspapers yet so I would discontinue sending them.
Do you realize it was just a year ago today that I enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve our country. Although it tore me away from home and my friends I still am happy to say I was prepared when the country needed me.
Thanks for the pictures of Mary Alice. She surely has grown. She looks more like Bobby than Anne to me. Just think Bobby will be starting to school in September. He will have to settle down a little then. Golly! I am glad he is full of pep. At least that shows he is all boy. He will have to go some to be the student Anne is.
Mother a little about my life which I’ll try and get through to you. I live in a dugout. We have no vacation at all. It is a 24 hour proposition 7 days a week and you catch sleep when you can. It is hotter than blazes and rains practically all the time. I also sleep under a mosquito net. I live with the Colonel for reasons I’ll have to explain when we are all together again. Food is not like one gets at home but not bad. As to clothes you wear shorts, kakki, dungarees, skivvies anything that is dry when you put it on. I both shave and drink the same water out of the same barrel that being rain water. It isn’t bad at all.
Be sure to give all my regards to the family and friends. Don’t worry I am getting along ok.
Love to all,
Leo
Lt. L.J. McLoskey