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Letter
Postmark: 10/02/1943

Return Address:
Pvt. V. Misitano
Co. K. 342nd Inf.
APO 450
Camp Howze, Tex.
U.S. Army

Sept. 30, 1943
Thur. nite 7:30

Dearest Mother,

    Just a few lines to let you know that I'm feeling fine and hope that you are the same.

   Well mother, this is my last night in Camp Howze. We are pulling out tomorrow morn. at 6:30 and mother, I'm afraid that my new camp is going to still be right here in Texas.

   Mother, I sent my gym bag home today and in it I had funny books that you can give to the kids and a towel that maybe you can use. I also had my old letters in it which you can put in my drawer or somewhere to keep for me. In my new camp, as soon as I get settled I'll send for the gym bag again, because we may get furloughs while we're there, if they still give such things.

   Mother, today was payday and I'm sending $10 home in a money order. I got paid $42 but have $28 now. I would have liked to send more, but moving out and everything, well I don't know what I'll have to buy yet. So next payday I'll try and send a little more home. I just remembered mother, that starting next month I'll only get $23. I'm buying a bond every month, so at the end of each month you let me know whether you received one from the govt. from me.

   Mother, I also put some pieces of shrapnel in the gym bag so you can at least see what shrapnel's like. There is also a 37mm armor piercing shell in it. You can give it to the kids to play with.

   Well mother, until I hit my new camp I'll close with lots of love to you mother dear, daddy and the kids.

   Your loving Son,

"Jimmy"
P.S.

   Mother, please don't worry about me because I'll be O.K.

   I'll write as soon as I get my new address, because I'm anxious to hear from you and to know how Joe's making out.

   Tell daddy not to worry about me because I'm O.K. and I'll always be O.K.

   Love, Jim.


Supplemental Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes:
 

I remember dad having a souvenir piece of shrapnel on his bedroom dresser while we were growing up. It was a piece of metal about 6 to 8 inches long, around 1 inch to a side, but very irregular and with sharp edges, very gnarly looking indeed.

   - Jim Jr.

 

 
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