September 15, 1944

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Dear Wilma:

I just received your letter dated Sept. 6 and I really did enjoy it. It seems like you and Mom are the only ones that ever write, especially long letters and long letters is what I like. I don’t care what you might say in a letter . Anything is news to me out here. I haven’t heard from Neva since I’ve been out here and from Mary. Ethel and Lena just a few times so naturally I write to them less seldom.

I enjoy your letters a lot though because you always tell me about everybody.

I been wondering how I’m going to give any Christmas presents this year. I want to get something for Mom and Aline at least. Do you think you could get something for them if I send you the money? I would like to get Mom something real nice. I don’t want to just send her the money because I know she won’t spend it for herself. I sent her fifty dollars when she was sick but she wouldn’t use it.

Sat. Sept 16th.

I didn’t get this finished yesterday but will try to finish it today. You asked me about what you could send me. Well I can’t think of anything I need. Aline has sent me candy and nuts several times but they were always so stale by the time they got here that I couldn’t eat them. You can tell the people at the post office though that they are crazy when they say that you have to show in a letter from me that I want something. The army has to do that but the navy doesn’t. We have a ships service here where we can buy all the toilet articles, cigarettes, gum and tropical chocolate we want and I have two pair of sun glasses, two fountain pens, the identification bracelet you sent me last year. I don’t wear hardly any clothes and when I do have to be regulation.

We have a library here with more books that I could ever read. Mom is sending me a wallet. So I just can’t think of anything else. Can you?

Just buy a lot of airail stamps and write me every chance you get. Letters are the best thing one can get out here. I won’t be able to get anybody anything so I don’t expect anything. Don’t send any eats though because I have never seen anybody get any that was good. All packages come out here by boat and it takes so long and its so hot they are always stale.

I know it costs a lot to send boxes so its better just to not risk it. If i can ever think of anything that I want or something to eaty that won’t spoil I’ll let you know. Aline sent me a pictre first class about two months ago and I haven’t received it yet, and I haven’t got any of the magazines you sent yet either so you can see how slow any packages are getting here.

Yes, I agree with you about the Y-mail. It is a lot slower than air mail is. I got two letters from Ruth just a couple of days ago with just a three cent stamp on them and both were mailed in July. I get your air mail letters in about eight days.

Well I’m just about wrote out for new and I should write Mom a letter today too so better stop.

Write often

Love
Elmer

PS. I just happen to think of something I would like to have if you can get them and you should be able to send over here. A friend of mine here has a camera but no film. So would you see if you can get some size 120 film for me. Kisto Chiato film preferred but anything will do. Send them air mail if you can get them and maybe I will be able to send some pictures to you some day.

Love E