"Sometimes it gets very lonesome here and I feel like complaining, but all I have to do is think how much better we have it than the boys in the last war and the fact that I feel that we are playing quite an important part in keeping the enemy away from the west coast".

Dear Folks

 

On April 12th I received two letters from you written on Feb 9th and March 3rd at that time you hadn't heard from me. Yesterday I received a letter from you on a bomber written April 11th. There must be several letters in between on boats or in Honolulu waiting for boats.

 

I'm going to send this letter with one of the bombers going to the states. It sure would help a lot to be able to get regular mail but I know that our government is doing it's best for us boys.

 

Your letters mean so much to us here and it's really quite a celebration when the mail does come in.

 

No, the land crabs here are not even possible as food, however we do catch some nice fish called Aloha's - some are three to four feet long and make very good eating - also if we are lucky we can catch lobsters which are good if you like 'em.

 

So far we've been very fortunate about getting supplies here and I imagine we have lots of things here that are scarce in the states. Of course any of us would give a left ear for a fresh leaf of lettuce, grass, milk or what have you.

 

Now that you know where I am you can find out all about the island from that old World Book of ours. You will find there are two islands with the same name in the Pacific we are on the closest one to the equator.

 

When I first got here the sun seemed like it was out to burn me up but now that I'm used to it and I go around in shorts and it doesn't bother me at all.

 

The chaplain on the island has been able to acquire some movie equipment so that now we have a movie every Friday night (if nothing happens).

 

Sometimes it gets very lonesome here and I feel like complaining but all I have to do is think how much better we have it than the boys in the last war and the fact that I feel that we are playing quite an important part in keeping the enemy away from the west coast.

 

Perhaps I wrote you that I have complete charge of the mess and am a sergeant now. It's a lot of work and worry but I enjoy it a lot.

 

With love and best regards to everyone.

 

This address will help me to get your mail faster:

Sgt. L.D. Talcott (36040184)

H.P.O 91590 Postmaster San Francisco, Calif

Air Mail (Via XXXX)

 

As yet they haven't been censoring incoming mail so you can write what every you want to.

 

Love 

Leonard