May 31, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Well here it is Monday morning and what
a morning. It has rained here five times since
I have been here in November and now it has
rained 3 days in a row. It really is damp
here. The paper and our clothes are just
limp and you can't keep and press in them.
          I received a nice box of stationery from
Irene and also a money belt. These both
will certainly come in handy. I think if you
were planning to send me something for my
birthday it would be ok to send it now. Things
have cooled off now. I think we will be here
for a month or more yet. They just got excited
and hurried a few things. I don't know what
I would want for my birthday. Most of the
stuff that isn't G.I. we had to send home.
The space in our barracks bags are really
limited when we get all our stuff in them.
Things like razor blades, soap and the
essiantial stuff I can buy at the P.X. a lot
cheaper than anywhere esle so you would have
a chance sending me any of that. It is really
hard to decide what I want for a present.

          I went to church yesterday morning and wrote
a few letters yesterday afternoon and took in a show.
Last night I went into town and seen Will Osborn
and his orchestra. He is a big radio band. It
really was a grand show. So you can see
now how I spent my 24th birthday.
          It looks like we will get some more rain
today. We have a hike scheduled for this
afternoon and we also get paid. I hope the rains
have ceased up home now. My mail had
been held up some from the floods in
Missouri. I guess a lot of the trains are
held up by it.
          I received a nice long letter from
Mr. Meyer the other day. I wrote to him that
night. It seems so I don't hardly have time for
anything anymore.
          Well this is about all for this time. I
can't think of anymore. So long for now and keep
your letters comeing to this address. The government
will send you a notice in the change of address
when and if I do leave. Goodbye and write soon
and often.
                                     Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on June 6th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Here is a link to information about Will Osborne and his orchestra - http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/willosborne.html
• Here is a link to a 1939 recording by Will Osborne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj_8pbg_fto