Sue must be getting to be a pretty big girl now

November 5, 1943

Camp Irwin, California

Dear Mom

We are packing up to go back to Haan today. I’ll be glad to get back to civilization again. I sent you a picture book of Camp Haan and Irwin last night. It has pictures of just about all we do. If you look at those pictures of the infiltration course, they show better than any of the others what the land looks like around here.

I hope Lois will get well ok. I got a letter from her and Bernard both the other day. I guess Sue must be getting to be a pretty big girl now. I’ll be glad to get home and see everybody again. I get more anxious everyday to get my furlough, but four weeks has been added on our training and it may interfere, but then they may wait til we get back for that extra time.

I’m having a hard time trying to take care of Helen’s picture out here. I didn’t know how I was going to manage taking it back to Haan until Dowdy gave me a steel ammunition can (Dowdy works in the supply room.) When we move we have to take everything we have and stuff it down in two barracks bags and it’s hard to take care of something like a picture. It sure is a swell picture.

Love to all, Tom

P.S. Tell pop when I get back I’ll be able to get him some more postcards.