12/5/53

Dear Ila,

Finally heard from you this evening, but it wasn’t your fault. Nobody in the battery had gotten any for 6 days until tonite so the mail system was just screwed up. Sounds as if you’re despairing of school again. Heck, I’d be cheerful if I had only 19 days to go over here. As it is I’ve got only about 4 more months to go, so I don’t feel bad about it at all. Not long when you really consider. I’m glad you got the pictures O.K. The only trouble I’ve had is looking at the same homely face for 22 years while you’ve only seen a few pictures. Yes, we’re still in the same spot with no prospect of moving. But all of a sudden Joe found the range yesterday. And I can’t understand it. We’re completely hidden from the front by a mountain range in front of us. Some of the boys seem to think that their are some enemy observers in the hills who infiltrated there the lines. Could be, I guess, but we watch around closely and haven’t spotted anything yet. It’s a deal. If I can’t be your favorite Cpl. I’ll settle for favorite sarge, but I’d rather be your favorite civilian and let it go at that. You know, I was thinking. Me? I may get to Illinois sometime within the next year, because I promised a buddy of mine here that I’d go and see him and you know, Mich. Isn’t so far. Of course I promise nothing because Mass. Is a long way off but what would be my reward for coming? The new boys are pouring in now and you can believe I’m glad to see ‘em. The more there are the better I like it because it means I get out that much sooner.

Much Love, Frankie