Halloween

Brrrr! The picture "Night to Remember" was very appropriate for this spooky day. But more of that and the program later in the letter.

Your letters of the 20th, 21st and 22nd came in today's mail along with another unexpected package. The Bernatskys went ahead and sent me another Christmas present. It consisted of six of those pocket sized books. Last year they started the habit off by sending me the history book written by Carl Sandburg but since Ray is now in the Navy I thought that they would call quits to the business. I like to know that they think enough of me to go out of their way to do something like that but I hope they do not have the impression that because they did it once that they now are under obligation to repeat it.

Nevertheless, they did send the books and a rather nice Christmas card was inside the package signed by Ray and Dotty and Darryl. The books are entitled: "Believe It or Not", "Short Stories", "War Humour", "See Here, Private Hargrove", "Mystery Stories", and "Mission to Moscow". I wasted quite a bit of time this afternoon thumbing thru the Ripley book and anticipate a few pleasant hours reading the diplomatic record. Unfortunately, I have read all but two or three of the short stories. All in all my collection of twelve pocket books now form quite an imposing array.

While our regiment is not on the move, we are permitted to form a stock pile of all our forms, paper, supplies etcetera and thus clear our desks of quite a bit of material. When on the move, as when we came overseas, they had to be filled with a sufficient amount of supplies so that we could operate for a half a year without replacements. Nevertheless, at a time like this we can fill the desks up with a few personal possessions and they kid me that the one box is Roman's desk and the other is Roman's library.

It was a hard job writing a full letter to Ray and his family but I did it. Somehow or other I just couldn't find words this afternoon and then when it was in the mail, I remembered the cartoon book which they had sent me and I had completely forgot to thank them for.

If you are getting a wee bit disappointed in Uncle Jack for not coming home where he belongs and settling down to some job, I'm getting pretty darn disgusted with him. Maybe you could mention it to him that if he saw Eddie Dietrick, the Personnel manager, at Rathborne and introduced himself as my Uncle, Eddie might be able to fix him with a job either in the plant or in the office. Rathborne isn't the ideal working place but I was satisfied with it and I don't see what objection Uncle Jack could have to working there if all he wanted to do was earn some money.

I'm glad to hear that you have the Red Cross deal all settled and when the Christmas cards arrive, I will send one to Mrs Vintera enclosing a little note thanking her for helping us out. And I have already told you that when the next opportunity arises for me to do a little investigating about Charles Matcha, I will do so. Since he is the Service Command of the Island, there is little fear that he will be leaving before we do. Chances are he will be around here until the end of the war.

The show tonight was terrific. It was a combination of outright comedy and sinister drama. Loretta Young and Brian Aherne had the lead parts. There was a very good added attraction a reel of films special for soldiers and not for the public. It concerned the war effort mostly on the home front and showed the entire processing of V-mail. 37 tons of mail was reduced to 70 pounds of film. We also saw that Air Corps picture with Clark Gable as the narrator and I agree with you that it was mighty interesting.

So-long,
/s/ Roman
Roman