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

There was a story in the Reader's Digest this month that must have been in particular interest to Dolores. The title of it was "Bridge to Victory" and discussed in graphic detail just how the Army took over the Aleutian Island of Attu where Bennie is now stationed. I'm wondering whether Bennie was in on that invasion or not. He couldn't have left the States very long before that time because that was just a month before Dolores had gone out to visit him. Perhaps he just came up there later on as a reinforcement.

The story emphasizes what the Colonel was telling us in his speech yesterday. The Aleuts must be just like the South Sea Islands that are uninhabited in peacetime and it isn't until a war comes along that people come to them. Therefore, says the Colonel, there just isn't one single thing on those islands but what you bring with you and from the story in the magazine that makes it plenty tough going.

So, after complaining about the laundry service, I go back to the company and find it ready to be picked up. In celebration of the event, I took all fresh clothes with me when we went for our evening shower. Just before going for the shower this evening we made sure we needed one by having a playful little scrap in which John T, Larry, Mers and I tussled around trying to toss each other into the ditch in front of the tent. There is nothing so good as that to work up a nice dirty sweat, especially in this nice cool climate.

I'm saving those Mallow Delights for yet another day because the PX brought in some Hershey's with almonds and I bought six of those today. Also today, the boys from Personnel went into town with the PX truck to help bring enough cokes so that we could have almost a dozen per man. I think they are waiting until Christmas to put them on sale. As it is they line up the entire length of the PX stacked to the ceiling and about three or four rows deep! Some of the companies are having corn on the cob for Christmas. I haven't tasted that stuff for a long time. In fact, I think we have had it only once or twice in the whole year.

The show tonight featured the band, a guest singer from the nearby outfit and the movie. The movie consisted of a Community sing, a short on Ladies in Sport and the main event of the evening, "Stormy Weather". That picture was a musical and it made no bones about it with there being almost no dialogue or plot to speak of.

The night's entertainment lasted to almost ten o'clock and then I sat around finishing that magazine article so Taps has already sounded and here I am still writing this letter. The only trouble is I'm sleepier than all get out and I had intended answering a letter to somebody. Let see, there should be only five left to answer now, Marie, Gonzalez, George, Mrs Boyer and Uncle Jack. For once I hope that tomorrow I do not get any letters from other people. I was lucky to have that happen today but I couldn't take advantage of the lull.

By the way, I told Lt Podelwitz about the Oplatki and, believe it or not, he himself has some which was sent to him by some Polish-Catholic lodge! And you were wondering if he would even know about such things.

Here is a coincidence which occurred in our humdrum lives. Mersing has a friend who is somewhere in the Pacific area and they have been corresponding for some time. Today he received a letter from this friend and he tells him that 1st Sgt Driscoll is temporarily in his outfit and that he has met him. Mersing and I are thinking that is about all of us will ever hear of Driscoll because it doesn't look as if he is going to be the writing kind.

By way of suggestion, should you ever send me a package again, it would be a good idea to enclose a small bottle of Vaseline Hair Tonic to keep my hair in place after a washing. Ever since I got the haircut and gave it a good washing it has had the uncontrollable touch.

So-long,   /s/ Roman   Roman