April 2, 1944
Italian Rest Camp
Dearest Mother,
Just a few lines to let you know that I'm feeling fine and hoping that you are the same.
Mother, today's my birthday and I had a really nice birthday present. My buddy and I were in a
town close by, a little while ago and we stopped in where we got a swell spaghetti dinner, fried
chicken, wine and nuts, and boy! mother we really ate. We tried to pay them for the meal but they
wouldn't accept the money. We had some candy on us that we bought at the P.X. and gave it to the
two little kids at the house and gave the father a pack of cigarettes and then left. They were
really nice people, and treated us swell.
I'm really having a nice time at this rest camp mother, so please don't worry about anything,
and tell daddy also not to worry about anything because I'm O.K.
Since I've been here, I haven't had any work, and all there is to do is eat, sleep and go to
movies, we've had two stage shows so far. We can go to the little towns close by without having
to get a pass, all we do is take off. I never thought a rest camp would be this nice.
Mother, I guess this is all for now so I'll close hoping that this letter finds you all at home in
the best of health. All my love to you mother dear, daddy and the kids.
Your loving Son,
"Jimmy"