Hello darling DeLores,

How is my dear future wife this evening? I hope you are fine and at least out seeing a show with some of your girlfriends.

I couldn’t write you last night to save my soul. We got a double Typhoid shot yesterday morning and on top of a bad head cold it nearly knocked me out. I felt pretty rotten last night and went to bed about 7 o’clock. Most of the fellows went to bed about the same time as they were all pretty rotten. We had to send two boys to the hospital as they had such high fevers and went partly out of their heads. I guess they’ll be all right in a couple of days or so. These shots are really sore on the arms. When you have K.P. duties it makes it twice as tough. I’m pretty good tonight so I guess I’ll survive.

I received your letter today dated the 15th. I sure was glad to hear from you. I can’t explain how much a letter from you means when I’m so far away. The boys just jump on the mail orderly when he comes with the mail. Please darling, try and write me as often as you can.

I had my identification pictures taken today. I don’t suppose it will look very good as my hair is quite short. But it is only for identification purposes. If I get into town in a couple of weeks I’ll have a picture taken and send it to my future wife.

I love you very much darling. I long to hold you in my arms but that will have to wait for a little while. After this job is done we’ll be together in our own home. Darling please stick by me like a real trooper. You give me the thing to keep on going for. Sometimes it is plenty tough but I’m out here because when we win this war we’ll be able to have our freedom and liberty. It’s a great thing and worth fighting for.

How is the weather. back home? It sure is nice out here. It doesn’t even look like we’ll have a white Christmas out here. But we’ll sure have a nice dinner. The kitchen just got in turkeys for our Christmas dinner. Something all right. I hope I won’t have to be away from you another Christmas.

How is everybody back home? Please say hello to everyone for me. I sure would like to write each one separate but I just haven’t been up to it. Please try to explain to them for me.

Well! I guess I’ll have to close for now. The Merriest Christmas to everyone and may God bless you and keep you well. All the love in the world to the swellest honey out.

Love and many kisses to my future wife,

Joe

P.S. I love you more than anything in the world an hope you do too.

I couldn’t get the greeting  finished so here is to a Merry Christmas. Well, a pretty merry one. I mean that from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.