Cpl Roman F. Klick 36620923
Co "A", 353rd Engr Regt
A.P.O. #502, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California
26 September 1943

This letter is a restricted one. I've been working away at more correspondence today like a busy little bee. I've written a two page V-mail letter to George Prokopec and you will get the carbon copies for filing. I have also written a letter to Bob Hesser, at last, which is almost a direct copy from the one I wrote George. I couldn't help it because I saw that what I had written to George could have been written in any letter to anyone so I saved myself some time by a direct copy of the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 paragraphs which dealt with a description of this island. To the beginning I used this for the 1st paragraph: "Hi Bob, I have finally found the long awaited opportunity to answer your letters and in fact, believe it or not, I have been playing a few chess games. But more of that later. Right now I'll tell you a few things which need telling about this island." Then I closed the letter with these three short paragraphs: "The chess games which I mentioned earlier in the letter have just recently taken place and after the long layoff I find that my play has badly deteriorated. We never have the time to sit at the game completely relaxed for an evening's play because our time is limited. The news from Rathborne dribbles in every once in a while but nothing unusual seems to be happening. Bob Richerts is deferred for the time being and may not be drafted until the middle of 1944. Bob Swaney is ready to be sent overseas and Gary Walroth is stationed in Denver, Colorado. A roundtrip in the mail takes about twenty days which isn't bad but without the opportunity to really study the chess moves, I guess our correspondence chess is out for the duration. So-long, Roman." I think I could use the same copy for a letter to Tommy, thus killing three birds with one stone.

Since this letter is restricted, I might as well give you Ray's letter which was rather short.

"Dear Ro, The United States Navy now has been strengthened considerably by the addition of R.F.B. to its roster of personnel. Seriously, though, I'm leaving for camp on the fourteenth of this month - don't know where, of course - I'll write and let you know as soon as possible. Dotty will stay here unless conditions permit her to join me, but that doesn't seem probable.

"How's yourself, you cocky little bantam? So I'm not man enough and in too poor physical condition to be accepted by the army? Why you so and so (Hope you still have your sense of humor.) I was better than that and the Navy grabbed me first. - So there!! Just kidding Ro, so don't get mad. - I won't be able to write again for quite a while so please be patient. Meanwhile, if you're in the mood for writing, send your letter or letters to the same address and Dotty can forward them to me.

"So long for now, and good luck again. Yours as ever, Ray Bernett"

I'll send you a copy of George's letter but it is rather longer (four pages written on both sides) so I will type it on a V-mail form all by itself. If you would care to see the picture which he sent to me, I will send it by Air mail and then you could return it. Perhaps you saw it when he was in on furlough although it was taken at that time at his River Grove home.

If I get a letter written to Tommy and to Ray before today is over, I will consider my time well utilized. These letters (the copies) will not reach you all at once because as I have told you I try to keep the letters to three per day or at most four so that the censors aren't flooded with mail from one person. That sure would be a lulu to hand in twelve completely typewritten sheets of V-mail.

Lately, Larry has been writing eight letters a day to his wife and yesterday Jack had nine letters ready for mailing before suppertime; so I don't think I'm such a terrific writer with my measly total. It is just before lunch so I guess I will knock off to eat.

So-long,
/s/ Roman
Roman