Moss Letters

WWII Letters

10 March 1944

Dear Folks:

This is Saturday night, inspections are over, everything cleaned up and now we are spending a quiet evening.  A few minutes ago finished a hotly contested bridge game but our side finally came out 30 better and fifty cents richer.  Saturday nights usually mean a bridge game while the Hit Parade is going on.  We hold the sessions in my room in the back of the billet and just made for such things.  News is again slipping off to the leaner side at least as to what I feel I could write about.  The office seems to keep up a pretty fast pace.  Last week we undertook to do a GI remodeling job and now it looks pretty professional.  Keeping account of the records of so many dogfaces runs into quite a lengthy job.

Dick called up last night and we had a drawn out conversation.  We made arrangements to spend a weekend together and you can never tell when this may be the last one for along time so better take advantage of it.  He seems always in good spirits and looks fine.  But regardless of what he thought before, he misses home just as much as I do.

The mosquitoes are about as bad here as they are in Minatare.  The billets are screened and we use nets at night but quite a few still bite while sitting around.  You know that the day mosquito caused an epidemic of dengue fever for a while and parts of Honolulu were quarantined, and it may break out again if some precautions aren’t used.  They say infected mosquitoes probably camp up on airplanes from the South Pacific and brought it here.

Received two pairs of GI glasses so have three now and fitted to the latest eye vision.  These GI’s don’t look too good but they are certainly durable and can take a beating.  I think my vision has gotten a little worse since I’ve been in but only a very little.

Had a letter from B. Emick a few days ago.  I think he’s in another romantic tangle with that WREN in London.  Wherever he goes I guess he always makes out with the womenfolk.  Competition is terrific over here and I never get close enough to smell the powder on one.  Well this isn’t what you could call a good letter but at least it will keep you informed and (a) little less anxious and I guess that’s a big part of it so goodnight for a little while.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

3 March 1944

Dear Folks:

Longhand isn’t my specialty anymore but maybe I can scratch out a letter if I use a little patience.  Little to write about but maybe something will come up.  Had a letter from Mrs. Carroll – said Duane might be taking a European trip.  That situation over there doesn’t appeal to me.  I can imagine that every time you hear of action in the Pacific you wonder if Dick and I are there but so far so good.  Many ‘veterans’ can be seen in Honolulu with their bronze stars on their Asiatic-Pacific ribbons and the 7th Division with two – for Atter and Kwayelein.

Dick called up last nite and we will probably get together in a few days.  We’re having a tough time getting the shells you wanted.  The beach isn’t too accessible and where it is, many others have been there before.  But we’re still looking and we’ll get them as reasonable facsimiles.

Pretty quiet and peaceful in the billet tonite – most of them are doing what I am – writing letters.  Three of the fellows are married and one has a 22 month old son who he is itching to see.  I can well imagine.  The radio is the biggest morale builder in the evenings and we would be lost without it.  Practically all the mainland programs are broadcast so we don’t miss much (in) that respect.

People over here really buy bonds.  Hawaii’s quota was $15 millon and at the end of the campaign sold $32 million.  Quite a record and earned them the best record in the US.  Perhaps the people feel the war more having gone though the blitz.  Quite an assortment of stories and almost humorous but tragic episodes about that morning of the December 7.  The confusion and frustration that was going on everywhere must have been terrific.  Downtown Honolulu has many contrasts.  In one section are the big modern business houses and a few blocks away the Jap fish and fruit markets with their disagreeable odor.  And all kinds of people on the streets.  All the ‘kaaminas’ (old timers) talk with rapidity and an oriental twang.  Newcomers are known as ‘malakinis’.  The Hawaiian words might look hard to pronounce but actually they are very easy.  All words end in vowels and all vowels are pronounced.  I think the words and names are picturesque.  A short time ago I had the opportunity to visit a part of the island more scarcely populated and saw some real scenery. Steep green hills came down to the sea and the heavy surf put a mysterious mist over the whole thing.

This is Friday nite and the time I should be devoting to polishing up for inspection.  Had a letter from Gram today saying they had arrived and were getting ready to start work.  I surely hope they will be happy.  Now you will have to be something of an intermediary between me and them.

Well until the next time keep the Moss Manor in good shape and remember there’s no place I’d like to see so badly.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

28 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I have just returned from pass.  Have my shirt off and a beat up typewriter in front of me ready to start writing again.  Well it has been eight days since my last letter and again you are probably wondering if I have been island hopping in the Pacific or whether something else has happened.  The last week it was pretty impossible to write for I was taking some special training – and if I wasn’t too tired I didn’t have the time.  I wished I could tell you all that happened and describe that week to you.  Well as I said before I just came back from another day off in town so I’ll tell you what I did.  I took some stuff in to the cleaners, then took in the eleven o’clock morning show at the Waikiki theater.  The show was ‘Destroyer’ – not too good.  Coming out of the show about one (o’clock) we decided we would eat a real Chinese dinner – a strictly first class one.  So accordingly we found the most reputable place in town and ordered a four-buck affair.  You remember that best selling book you told me about – the one about the Chinese family in New York?  And how the author described a Chink meal as the best (in) the world?  Well I didn’t think it was so exceptional but at least it was very different.  If I can remember correctly we had chop suey, sweet and sour spareribs, shrimp, cold pork, rice, chicken morsels and perhaps a couple more dishes.  I always wanted to eat a meal like that for the experience but I don’t think I’ll make a habit of it.  Well the biggest part of the afternoon was ahead of us so we thought a look at the Iolani Palace might be worth the time and walk.  Just recently they have begun to restore the throne room where King Kamehamaha and the queen ruled and that was the object of our sightseeing tour today.  After the December 7 blitz such valuables as the crowns, chandeliers, rugs, drapes, and furniture were taken to the hills for safekeeping and just now they are being returned and restored as they formerly were.  The job was about completed when we walked through.  The building has all the artistry that is common to such places but the detail woodwork on the walls and the big chandeliers and fine furniture were especially interesting.  But being a ‘dogface’ for quite a while and being somewhat isolated in our former station a look at such sights was somewhat of a treat.  Well perhaps this is what you would call the second phase of our day off.

And as I did last pass day, I again went to the law library and browsed around.  And then I thought perhaps this place might do me some real good so I spoke to the librarian and found that books could not be taken out but she gave me some good advice about making arrangements at the University (of Hawaii) to take night courses and promised she would find the necessary texts.  But by now it was too late to go out there so that will be on the docket the next time.  Well after looking around the Library of Hawaii we called it a day.  This latter library is the largest one I’ve seen and I think it would compare to many of the best in the states.

On one of your recent letters you forgot to put an APO number on it and it was delayed a couple of days so they put a nice red stamp on it advising me to tell my correspondents my correct address.  I know you just overlooked it.  The package came the day I returned from the training.  It was a very nice box and it is so heartwarming to get one.  The ‘Russian’ peanuts are what I especially go for.

Yesterday, Sunday I was taking a snooze in the afternoon and someone grabbed me by the big toe.  It was Dick who happened to stop by to find out when we could get together again.  He told me he received his box too and was pretty pickled.  He was in very good humor and looking rugged and healthy.  I certainly hope as you do that we will have some time together but again as you say that is pretty improbable.  We couldn’t get together today but hope we can soon.  Although we don’t go out on pass so often he calls me up on the phone and occasionally finds time to stop in for a chat.

The affair with Wylma has been dormant for a long time since about a year ago I think or longer.  Although I haven’t written her since that time I always think about her once in a while and wonder if she is okeh after all.  Suppose she must be pretty tired waiting anyway and perhaps already has someone else.  I figured this would go on for a long time, the war I mean, and romances don’t click under such circumstances.

Had a letter from Aunt Edna yesterday, a pretty long one, thanking me for the picture and writing about everything in general.  Will probably answer it in due time.

Well I see the folks are once again back with you.  I hope they find all the enjoyment in the world in their new place and that the weather doesn’t effect them too much.

I read in the papers today about the war situation and one person predicted an end in ’47.  A prospect like that certainly bogs a fellow down and causes him to worry about the future.  Sometimes you think what the hell, you’re losing a lot of your best time, you’ll have to start all over again when it’s over, and where will you be in say a year from now.  I know you shouldn’t feel like that and always try to make the best of any situation but it’s pretty discouraging.  If somebody hasn’t got the brains and the know how to stop all this crazy business then we better quit calling this a civilization.  It doesn’t seem to me that people are getting smarter or more educated just better versed in how (to) beat out the other fellow and grab all you can.

Well I’ve written an unusually long letter for me and the news is about at an end so I think I’ll throw in the towel.  You are certainly swell to write so often and they mean more than anything else.  I know it must keep you pretty busy and you probably have all you can do anyway.  So until next time –

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

17 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I think I can stay within my schedule and still get a letter written to you – anyway I’ll try it.  I try to break the evenings up into some sort of a schedule in order to insure getting done the things I want to.  So far it’s worked pretty good and sometimes I have to overlook a bridge game and that isn’t always easy to do.  Well yesterday I went on pass and once again saw something that I hadn’t seen before.  On the way back from Waikiki we stopped at the municipal buildings and had a look at the local government offices. Felt like a civilian.  In one of them was the courtrooms, law offices and the usual embellishments and that interested me so we looked around.  Even walked into the Supreme Court chambers.  Something awesome and quiet about the empty rooms that made you feel good that there were still public courts still in this country where an accused can get a hearing.  Well after this we nosed around like a pair of hillbilly sightseers and finally stumbled into the law library. Boy what a layout and what a world of legal knowledge and education.  Wish I could use the books.  The place was empty so we took our time and pulled out volumes here and there.  Found some on Nebraska and then Minatare didn’t seem so far away.  Across the avenue was the Iolani Palace where King Kamehameha used to live so we went over there.  But the place was locked up so couldn’t see much.  Looked pretty good from the outside though.

For a couple of hours in the afternoon slept in the sun on the beach.  Except on Sundays, the beach (is) very crowded but there are always a few fellows surf riding out about two hundred (yards) off shore.  But that’s about all the beach is good for because the bottom is covered with coral formations and rocks.  The water is pretty shallow and that is what causes the waves to roll in without breaking up.  When I used to see pictures of them at home I wondered how they kept from drowning but you can wade out for probably three hundred yards without getting in water over your head.

Regardless of all the ration talk and shortages it still is pretty easy to get a good dinner and not outrageous either.  We ate on a terrace overlooking the water and I had a sirloin steak with all the good trimmings.  This about ended up for the day so after an evening show we headed back.  This was the first time I’d really been out after blackout and to see so many lights shining again was a treat.  After living in a blacked out country for quite a spell the auto and store and street lights was a sight for sore eyes.

Well my time is running short – that schedule you know – so I better begin tapering off.  Dick was supposed to go with me yesterday but he couldn’t get off so probably he will come around Sunday.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

11 February 1944

Dear Folks:

Just a few brief lines to acknowledge your last letter and end the week up with a clear conscious.  Received the check for 12/50 and the statement.  It will come in handy.  Our mail is certainly getting back and forth in good time.  I received one letter from you and couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the date stamp next to the return address which is what everyone looks at first.  This afternoon I had occasion to go to headquarters and I traveled the hi-way from a four lane one and crammed with vehicles.  Your eyes would probably bulge to see the great activity everywhere.  It certainly must be a blow to see so many close friends get billed[?] as was Waite and the others.  I see the Free Press has started to carry the pictures and maybe the ones of Redding, Goolsby, and Petron will bring the war a little closer to some people.  The Carrolls’ and Fry’s seem to be having a big round of dinners and parties—they are lucky to all be together.  I keep telling myself a crack at a furlough will come up this year, let’s hope.  Had a bridge game tonight and came out on top.  I’m improving.  Well goodnight for this time. I hope Dick can come around tomorrow.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

10 February 1944

Dear Dad:

I just received another of your inimitable letters and it came at a most welcome time.  My head is still going round like a merry go round.  I have been very busy the last few days and just now has the volume of work begun to slacken off a little.  But working like this makes the time slip by almost unnoticed.  When I realize how long it has been since I’ve eaten a Moss meal, I appreciate that fact, more than ever.  But maybe that’s because I’m older.  I can remember when I couldn’t wait another day until I was old enough to have a bike and then later on to drive an automobile.  But now here I am having gone through both and wondering what I’ll be doing when I’m forty or fifty.

I think if I take another look at your letter I can stretch this one out a little longer.  Every time you say something about the cold weather and the snow, I have to pause and remember that in some places there actually is weather like that.  Every afternoon around three the office knocks off for a little volleyball game on the big rambling lawns that are near our area.  We’re getting pretty brown from it and we feel pretty good after sitting down all day.  Last night we gathered together our best forces and had a game with some Hawaiian civilian boys and took a good beating.  We played after supper with the little gathering there.  It reminded me of a twilight softball game like we used to have.  There was a few good-sized ‘wahines’ there together with some men playing poker on a little grass mat.  They sure take life easy and are so darned good natured and hospitable.  They’re pretty fat and look sloppy but you overlook that.  The boys beat our pants off – they can hit a ball from any angle.

Dick and I went out together on pass last Wednesday and looked around for the shells but couldn’t find any this trip.  But we’ll get them.  I bought Mom and Nancy each one of those handkerchief affairs they wear over their heads and better get them mailed tonight.  Dick and I are very lucky to be so near to each other but I think your summarizations are pretty correct.  What did you think of the Marshalls episode?  Boosts your morale up for a while and makes you a little more optimistic.  There is a lot of talk around in the papers of troop rotation and furloughs but I don’t put much faith in any of it.  All of it is so contingent upon other things that is seems pretty remote.  Guess I’m getting used to waiting.  I know what the deal on the bond allotment is.  I had an allotment for that amount and it was automatically stopped in favor of a new plan so that represents the money not applied on a new bond.  Hope you received the sixty bucks instead of the usual thirty-five.

Most of the civilians at home get a pretty good tongue lashing from the fellows – and especially the strikers.  Boy what they wouldn’t do for them.  I guess that shows that they didn’t realize what a swell place the ‘old country’ was until they had to leave it.  Any little old corner of the states would satisfy most of us.  But this business of laying off work sure raises the hair on us when we hear of another fifty thousand or so because they can’t get enough to have all they want.  I think the situation is pretty lopsided too.  Everyone whether he’s over here or back there is in the same kind of job and if he has to take bad breaks that’s just tough.

Well I’m going to do some studying for a while and the evenings are very short so I’m going to throw in the towel about here.  The friend in Washington sent me another book a few weeks back and it’s full of interest so got to get busy on it.  I have a little room by myself now and can setup books and spend a profitable evening with them.  I think your sentiments are the best in the world although they aren’t expressed in the language of Longfellow, which is the least important part.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

31 January 1944

Dear Folks:

Your letters lately have been so newsy and interesting that I have felt obligated to answer them immediately, so before my supper gets well settled maybe I can catch up (on) one more letter.  Recently I had a change of station and during such times the censor cuts the letters up quite a little—so much that I couldn’t get the initiative to write.  But now that we are settled I can write with maybe a little more interest.  Dick called me up last night to find out when I was off so we could meet each other and it looks like next Saturday will be the day. We certainly are lucky enough to be able to see and talk to each other so often.  And while we’re out, we’ll pool our talents (?) and try to find the shells, and some that you will like no end.  And then payday is very soon now so we’ll feel pretty much in the mood to shop.  Also today received the Free Press, and three yesterday so I’ve been busy with mail.  It only takes a few minutes to read the darn things but they are certainly welcome.  I also read about putting the pictures in the paper.  Sounds like a pretty good idea and the paper will be more interesting.  As I said yesterday was a big day for mail – received a law book from the friend in Washington.  One I have been wanting and written by Lawrence Vold who is a professor at the University of Nebraska.  I heard Miller and the other boys talk about him and I know him by sight.

Now that I am on Oahu and will have the opportunity to go to a dentist, I hope soon to get the bridge.  And I did receive the money order, and in good time too.  While I’m on the subject of Oahu maybe I can get together a few more items about the place. (The censor cut out the rest of the page.)

 …you pick out every nationality and every combination too it seems.  But with so many servicemen the streets are packed and every store and stand does a gold rush business.  There are many places I hope to see including some museums, buildings and other natural beauty spots.  I wish you could go with me down Kalakua Avenue that runs along Waikiki and watch the boys ride the surfboards, and forget the howling cold winds you are probably now having.  Each afternoon the office crew plays a little volleyball and we’re all getting pretty brown from it.  Our office is a Japanese tea house in a garden set in a little valley.  The walls are set with sliding panels so that the sides can be opened up completely or completely closed. There are no hinges or windows in the place.  I understand the building was imported from Japan.

I wrote a couple of days ago to the Colson’s and Carroll’s so you can breathe easier now.  I’m glad I’ve got it done too.  I’ve read about the treatment that Gramp is receiving in a Reader’s Digest of a few months ago I believe.  Your sentiments about the ultimate value of these new discoveries in view of wars is indeed to be doubted.  Tonight a USO troupe from the mainland with Allen Jenkins is here.  The ones from the mainland or the ‘old country’ are darned good but the local productions are pretty old.  Well it looks like I’m stalled for now so here’s the end of this.  Had a letter from Patsy yesterday too – I sent them a picture and they liked it quite a lot.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

26 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I started out to do something else tonight but after receiving your letter it made me feel so good that I had to answer immediately.  A four page one too, pretty good, and full of interest.  I know my letters get pretty dull sometimes but I hope that occasionally you find something of interest.  I understand full well what our letters mean to you.  Well I’ll dig up the letter and make a little commentary on it to make this one (letter) a little longer.  Last night our GI foursome got together and I turned out the goat.  After having a five bid served up tight I fumbled and went down two.  But we won in the end.

I’m glad you liked the book and I believe you probably feel much as I do about the islands.  And about the sharks. Yes, there (are) plenty in the waters around and we are always cautioned to swim in designated areas and stay close to shore.  Only a few months ago a soldier disappeared and sometime later a shark was caught with his remains inside.  I saw the shark.  In ‘Born in Paradise’ you will probably remember how Von Tempski would swim the cattle to the boat and how they were often attacked by the sharks.  I often think if you were here how we could see the place much as we did in ‘Frisco, and I know you would enjoy it immensely.  I’m very glad you made the request for the shells and I’ll get you the best sets the Waikiki district has to offer.  I’m sure I can find something that you will like and I’ll get a big kick of really shopping for something.

Although I wouldn’t exert myself excessively it would be good to see Conklin.  He must be back on rest or something.  It’s hard to imagine him a soljer but guess that’s the case with many of us.  The $140 I get a month really is okeh and as soon as I get the (dental) bridge I hope to increase my allotment again.  You should receive $60 a month beginning February 1.  I’m always anxious to know that the right amount is getting home for I know that many of them become very mixed up.  Working in the Personnel office and being the personnel Sgt Major, I work with many such tangled cases.  I guess you know the dependency allotments are compulsory for married men.  It is surprising the number of wives who leave their men and that creates trouble for us and for them.  But in many cases the situation is applicable to both members.

I remember seeing Dan Gettman at the dance you mentioned and he always plies me with question of folks he knows around Minatare.  He is a typical Russian as we know them –rather dull, bold and unaware of his own ignorance.  But he is a pretty good kid, always tries hard but can’t make the grade.

I can imagine Duane and Margy as you mentioned.  Is Marge any fatter or unshaped?  I hope my fixture is a little better proportioned.

I know how you must feel when my letters slow up and I always try to keep up with them.  There are many things I would like to tell you and you probably wonder why I haven’t but that’s ‘verboten’.  Dick’s future, from what I can gather, is still centered around agricultural interests.  I have never heard him mention Miss Sagle but he misses the times he had at home.  I never felt the urge to go to school so much as I have now and I always know the fact that time is so short for me to study.  Sometimes my plans and dreams occupy a lot of my time and again, I get a little discouraged at the outlook, but never stop believing that all will turn out okeh.

Willis Nichols’ marriage was certainly a big surprise to me but I don’t think he ever quite lived up to the standards of the rest of the Nichols.  He’s pretty lucky to stay home.

Probably many times in my growth you thought I was a hopeless case and I know I did little to deserve your attention but now, and everyday a little more, I picture more clearly your patience showing, working and planning you did to ensure my livelihood and wellbeing.  Somethings are impossible to see until they are taken away and no longer there to be taken for granted.  Now I remember little things you told me at the time I thought you were nagging and old fashioned and couldn’t see the reason for them but now they all fit in the picture much differently. I couldn’t see how fortunate I was.

Well guess this (is) ‘pau’ for this communique but I will find the shells and the best too and make another special request again soon too.  I will have as good a time buying them as you will receiving them.

Goodnite to love,

Harold Moss Signature

25 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I’m so far behind in my writing that I hardly know what to write to start off.  Recently I’ve had a change of station and that has meant a lot to do and little time to do it in.  I suppose you have been wondering what has happened and maybe worried a little, but as a matter of fact I think this place is a better deal than before.  Now I am where I can see Dick pretty often and call him up once in a while.  Last Saturday I called him to make arrangements on a pass day, so Sunday morning he came around and we went to town and spent a civilian Sunday walking around the beach and looking at fish in the aquarium.  He’s looking good and seems a little more talkative and lively than ever before.  We heard a good band in the afternoon – Claude Thornhill.  We talked about a lot of things and one of them was Phil.  From what he told me there’s a little difficulty some place and I’m a little worried about him.  I can imagine what you feel and know you wonder what to do about it.  Also in Kate’s letter she mentioned it but made me promise that I would say nothing to you.  I would be sick too if he should quit school to do what he has in mind, and I would do everything to keep him from it.  Fellows on the outside see only one side of this military life and never hear of the other.  I wish I was around to help you out.  My spirits will drop a good deal if I hear that he has quit and taken the other road.  I hope it isn’t as bad as I fear.

Around the lighter side – I have a new APO number now 958 and I’m on Oahu.  Having visited here twice before on pass I was broke in a little and knew a little what to expect.  The big city is a cauldron of fast moving traffic and big crowds of people hurrying to get someplace.  With the…..cut out by the censor.   Every bar, theater and café has a line in front of it with people waiting a long time for a little service, and it’s hard to escape the crowds no matter where you go.  It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when everything was plentiful and all you had to have was the dough.  But with all this activity we were moved into a quiet secluded cool spot that makes me forget once in a while that there is a war going on.  This would be the spot for you Mom with the big trees and numberless shrubs everywhere.  Adjacent to our area is a large open lawn space with a baseball diamond and volleyball court.  Each afternoon we put in a couple of hours at volleyball and absorb a little sunshine.  Yesterday while we were out the ‘Mars’ – the new flying boat that recently flew to Brazil and back – flew very low overhead and gave us a real idea of just how big it really is.

I did receive the packages from Colson’s and Carroll’s and I will answer them with a little letter if I can first find time to answer my ’must’ correspondence.

Tonight the open air theatre the local USO put on a variety act affair that to me was very boring and corny.  The big part of it was hula dancing and that’s pretty tiresome by now.  But there were girls in it so we had to go.  Mentioning the Carroll’s, another change has taken place with Shirley now taken out of circulation.  So she married a soljer?  I hope she got out of the usual Carroll rut and picked someone with a little better prospects.  Duane is pretty lucky to stay in the States and been near his wife and get home once in a while.  If I am here much longer when people ask me…..(cut out by the censor) where I am from I will say the Hawaiian Islands, and strolling around the better sections of the big city that idea doesn’t sound bad.

You have been doing a good job of writing – all of you – and I especially liked your commentary on the Christmas holiday.  I could visualize the whole affair and know having Stevie and Kate and Tom with you must have made the celebration especially happy.  You can’t imagine how much Dick and I would have given to have been with you, and when we get back to the next (Christmas) it will have more meaning than any before.  Everything I did as a kid and in school and later in Lincoln seems like a short dream I had last night after eating too much before going to bed.

I have the books with me after carefully packing them for the trip and I try to find time to study every day and I hope in the near future I can put things on somewhat of a schedule.  Being here perhaps I can get a taste of things more urban.  This month there is a symphony concert of 65 pieces and I want to hear it so darn bad.  My experience with the Nebraska symphony is now a most valued experience and a cherished memory.  The University of Hawaii is also here but probably I can’t do anything about that.  Well I think I’ve said my speil for tonight and I hope you will forgive me for not answering as I should.  Watch Phil and I hope everything works out to a happy solution.  I’m glad you liked the picture – I thought it was pretty good too.  Well goodnight – the time seems endless before I will be home.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

Mom:

Advise Reader’s Digest of my change of address

18 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I know I certainly owe you a letter but circumstances have been such lately that it has been very hard to find time (to write).  I hope I will be able to catch up some.  And now that I have started this letter darned if I can think of much to write about.  Soon I can write more freely and tell you what these circumstances were that kept me so busy.  Notice the change of address—stick a 1st BN after Hq. Btry.  Talked to Dick on the phone last night and hope to see him next Sunday if nothing happens to our plans.  It seems I’m always as anxious to meet him as if I hadn’t seen him in a long time.  The office has been growing bigger and presently we moved into new quarters that are ‘luxurious’ compared to our former building.  The place is a former prayer room so I understand, in a Japanese house.  Doors and walls are sliding affairs and there are innumerable small rooms and hallways.  The former kneeling row I guess it is, is used as a long desk to seat five clerks, kind of intriguing to walk around the place. I wish you were able to see the place. Well I’ll tell you more about it later.

Haven’t heard from you in quite a while but suppose the mail will catch up soon.  Had a letter from B. Emick a few days ago and he rattled on and on about England and how he likes it.  Can’t get up the initiative to answer though.  Sounds like he’s found a wife there.  I wouldn’t be surprised.  Also got a Christmas card from the former Mary Bohm—what a surprise!  Have been trying to stick to my books as much as possible but lately haven’t had the time.  I’m looking into the possibilities and opportunity I may now have to do something more definite along that line.  I’ll explain later. Well for this time this is all but I’ll write very soon again and try to be more explicit.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature