U.S.S. Gherardi

September 5 – 1942

Dear Folks,

I’m having quite a time to keep all of my mail answered so I’ll answer mom’s and Wallace’s letters together.  Thanks for the card, Paul, it is very nice.  I received four letters yesterday and two more today.  I answered two of them last night but I still have several to write.

Sunday

I’m having a terrible time to get any letters written as I can’t think of anything to write about.  I haven’t been out on liberty since a week ago when I went to New York.  I went to church this morning and stayed for the broadcast by Horace Heidt and his troup.  It was called “The Treasury Hour”, sponsored by the Treasury and devoted to selling war bonds.  They read letters from boys in different camps all over the country The strange part of it was that every letter asked the people to buy more bonds.  At the start of the program it was announced that they were playing before a crowd of 5,000 sailors.  He must have been seeing things because there were only about five hundred of us there.  I guess five thousand sounded better.

Is Anne in Washington, D. C. now?  If she is there, I’d like to get her address as I think I’ll go and see Washington while I’m here.  If you could get Walter Cobb’s and Annie Millers addresses without too much trouble, I’d like to have them also.  Are there any others there whom I should know?  It isn’t too far from here.

I’m sure stiff and sore today from the exercises that we had yesterday.  We take them only about three days each week, just often enough to keep us sore.

I went to the show tonight, “The Chocolate Soldier”.  I thought it quite good.

Did you get the mattress I sent home?  I couldn’t take it on board ship and I didn’t like to just throw it away.  I’m sending you two dollars to pay for the express charges.  If it cost any more, let me know.

I can’t think of anything more to write so will close for this time.

Love to all

Lester