April 2 and 5, 1944 Washington, D.C.

Hello Mom,

Will try to answer your letter received this morning. Hope you are all feeling well. I am feeling pretty good. I went to school twice today. We have to go twice a week to learn about some things around here. I have been off since 4:00 yesterday afternoon except for going to school for a couple of hours. I have to go on duty tonight from 12:00 to 4:00.

You don't have to be in any hurry about sending my shoes back to me. I don't need them for anything. I would just tell Dad to wear them, but I am afraid they might ask me where my other pair of shoes are.

I hope to be able to get you a little something for your birthday, but you know a service boy don't have nothing.

I got two letters from Louise today. She says she loves me. I think she got over her mad spell about me not stopping to see her.

Betty never did answer that letter I wrote her. I think she must be mad at me.

I got have gotten a 48 hour pass and come home this weekend, but I wouldn't have gotten to stay very long. I think I am going to wait until I can get a 72 hour leave and I'll get to stay longer. I get 32 hours Friday evening. I had Tom Slack's address I'd go see him. I guess he told them that he was just 16 because he sure hated the Marines. Well, he can get out if he wants to, but I'm staying until they throw me out. I'm a whole lot better off here than I was at home, because I am learning a little something.

Mom, the funniest thing happened yesterday evening. I was standing on guard duty, and the sky just got as black as could be, and everyone thought we were going to have a big rain storm. All at once, it started pouring the snow down. The ground was covered in about 2 minutes. It was the hardest snow I ever saw. It snowed about 10 minutes, and while the snow was coming down, a big lightening came up, and then a big crack of thunder! And here I was out standing duty, and boy, I liked to froze to death.

Mom, tell Dad to stop working so hard, or he's going to kill himself. I wish I was making enough money to help out.

I can't think of anything else to write, so I will close for now.

Your son,

Pedue