Sept. 18, 1954

Dear Ila,

How everything with the school girl these day’s fine I hope. As for myself fine except for a cold. I want to thank you for the picture you sent. You do take a good picture a lot better than I do. That last picture I sent wasn’t good but as soon as I get some I send them to you. Has you girl friend heard from that friend of mine yet? I don’t know what to tell you about him. I wouldn’t listen to what anybody said about getting married. Just like when I was home I went to a few dance with a girl about 5 miles from were I live and my buddy started kidding me about her. Myself I wouldn’t have her. I told her we was friend and that all! She was going with just about everybody. I just went outside and a friend of mine took a picture of me. I told him I would like to have them if it was O’K with them. If they give them to me I will send them to you. I have cpl. of guards today so I had all day to write. I still haft to write my mother. Who do you think going to take the pennant this year. I’m still betting on Cleveland this year. What do you want on your 17th birthday? Why was it mean for your mother to name you Ila. That a nice name. I can’t think of anything to write about on top of these mountains there just isn’t anything up here. You once said you like to travel, well next year after I get out of the army I might go to Calif., to see my brother and his wife. So I don’t know how long I’m going to stay at home when I get out of the army. I won’t stay in Yorkville, because there nothing there. My brother-in-law told me I should try Cleveland. I don’t know were I’m going or what I’m going to do but I’m going away from Yorkville. Well I can’t think of much more to say so I will close for now. Be good and take care of yourself.

Love, ART

P.S. They tell us now that we won’t go back to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Why I don’t know so don’t ask. O’K

Love, ART