Patterson Field Fairfield, Ohio October 12(?), 1942

Dear Mother,

            Here it is Monday. It looks as

if it really will be a grand day out.

What did you do over Sunday? I asked

for a weekend pass but having one

last week I couldn't hardly expect one this

weekend. How is Luella and Marie?

We just signed the payroll this

morning. They are still calling off 

names so I was in the front of the 

line and I have already signed. Can't

do anything until everybody has signed.

          Yesterday myself and another fellow

were going to church. I went to Dayton 

Saturday night to the show so when

we decided to go to church Sunday we

didn't wake up in time Sunday morning.

We don't have to get up on Sunday

mornings here so everybody layed in.

          There are only 24 in the barracks

I am in. We have capicity for 80 men 

so you can see there aren't so many of us.

They sent a lot of fellows to Florida, Ind.

and Texas. I suppose we will stay here.

We are supposed to start school this

morning, but I guess the payroll signing

has halted that again. I don't suppose

it will stop it thou for this week.

          Yesterday in the mess halls all

soldiers guests can eat here anytime

they have visitors. I wish you could

come down some Sunday for a visit

with me. I know it is a long ways

and would be asking to much. You would

enjoy visiting an army camp though.

They really had a meal yesterday.

Chicken, mash potatoes, gravy, celery,

lettuce, radishes, pickles, brussel sprouts

rice & chicken soup, peaches, cake and

ice cream. It really was a good

meal.

          It really was quite lonesome today

yesterday not being able to be home,

but afterall we can't do anything about

it. I suppose you kinda looked for me.

I told Irene I would be lucky if I got

another pass so I don't know if she expected

me or not.

          Well I guess this is all for now. I will

sign off and call it a letter. So long

for now.

                               Love  Ralph.

Background Information & Comments:

• This letter is most likely out of sequence. Ralph has put the date on every letter so far, except this one where he just wrote "Monday morning". Unfortunately, the postmark had been cut off the envelope, too.
• The distance between Ralph's parents home (near Blissfield MI) and Fairfield OH is approximately 210 miles.

The next letter will be posted on October 14th.