February 13, 1944

Hello Mom,

Will write you a letter before I go wash my clothes. Don't have much to write about. I haven't done anything at all today but sleep. The last week or so, I've been sitting up after the lights go out and shooting the bull with the other boys until about 11:30.

Guess I'll be leaving this rifle range Tuesday and go back to the main station and have a week of mess duty. Since I've been on the rifle range, I've shot the raising sub-machine gun, the carbine, and the rifle that we keep all the time. We shoot for record Tuesday, and if I qualify, I get a little medal. It will be an Expert, Sharp Shooter, or Marksman. I hope I can make Expert or Sharp Shooter.

Some of the boys are buying their Garrison caps now, but I don't think I'll buy mine until I find out for sure when I'm going home.

Well Mom, I still haven't really learned to swim. I can swim a little but not much. They said that we would have to learn at our next camp.

I swear I can't think of nothing to write so I will close for now and try to write more tomorrow.

Your son,

Pedue