9/4/53

Dear Ila,

Of course after writing to you 3 nights ago and wondering where you were I got a letter and am back with my trusty sword in hand. As far as your writing more often goes, I think it’s a P.D. (peachy dandy) suggestion. I’m available, that’s for sure. Yeah, my mother informs me that our home is like a bughouse what with my sis getting married. It’s in June but the Army doesn’t see it my way and I’ll still be here pushing ‘em out instead of home. Don’t worry about saying anything I might now like. I’m the jovial kind who gets a kick out of life and everything is one big laugh. As for this load of girl friends I’m supposed to have back home; where are they? They’ve either all gotten broken arms or the Parker Co. went out of business, which, I can’t say for sure. Yes, even a day later yet. What can you do? Took a tour of the front lines today with the battery commander and got a real good look at the big picture. All the outposts which direct fire for this battery are nicely set up and are quite safe from enemy fire. Got a good look at enemy territory thru the binocs. and even participated in a turkey shoot. The shoot consisting of firing as rapidly as possible any and all weapons that you can lay your hands on. After fooling around most of the day up there we came back up the Mun-Dung Ni Valley. The only flat land for many miles around here and it was really beautiful. From one of the O.P.’s we could see the gook trenches running right straight across it. About 400 yards in front of their trenches were ours. Between the 2 were many old allied tanks which had been caught by the gooks and have been sitting there for 2 years or more. Our division doesn’t claim the tanks because we’ve only been here a few months, but rumor says either the 24th or 25th Div. lost them. Very interesting sight to see. Are you crazy? Why joining the WAF’s would be the same as asking ‘em to hammer down the nails in your coffin. For any sweet young lady to join that type of outfit would be a very sad mistake. First off it is anything like the Army and it has to be in some ways it would be a very degrading experience I’m afraid. Secondly, they are just as apt to put you some where like Japan and keep you there 2 or 3 years. It means 2 or 3 years of your life and I believe in enjoying myself while young. Don’t throw it away. Had a big storm this morning, when we fired 160 rounds in 10 minutes. It was preparing for an Infantry push but it was just a wolf call to see how fast we could shoot. Did a decent job of firing but it wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. Say you know doggoned well when I have some snaps I’ll be sure and send some, but in the meantime you do the same huh?

Love, Frank