Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1943-09-24
Soldiers Thank
War Workers
Somewhere in Sicily)

myself, Cpl. Carl Wade, ''the good
buddies." Sometimes things have
been pretty tough but we've always
managed to come through. Our
health is good and our morale is ex-
cellent and we are determined to
follow this thing through to the
finish. From the fine work that is
being done there by the defense
workers who are supplying the
necessary needs for the success of
this war; we all will be home soon.
Much credit is due the housewife
and others for the sacrifices they
are making so that we over here
can be clothed and fed properly.
THANK YOU ALL.
There is really not much differ
ence here than in North Africa as
far as the weather goes. The peo-
pie were or looked like they might
have been well off before the war
but now they are in bad shape since
the Germans and Italians robbed
them. They seem very happy about
the American and English troops
coming. There are many English
speaking Sicilians here and they
are nice about helping US. The
country is small with lovely roll
ing hills and plains. They grow
enormous amounts of grapes and
lemons which are very cheap if
anybody wanted to buy them. We
don't, most of the time, because
around US there are too many
growing and are too easily picked!
Dago Red is the most popular of the
drinks and they tell me it is very
good. Yes, know what you are
thinking, but honestly, haven't
touched a drop (smile). It's not
that l don't drink but the fact that
it doesn't agree with my system.
Okay, go ahead and laugh. Maybe
it is a joke on me. The money
used here is the lire which is equiv
alent to one cent in American
money. One hundred lire is equal
to $1.00. After this war is over
we surely will know the differ
ent monetary systems of a good
many countries. So far we know
of the dollar in the United States,
the shilling of England, the franc
of North Africa, and the lire of
Sicily. HMM, maybe soon we
will be acquainted with that of
Italy; then on to Germany.
You should see all of US now;
we are really all sunburned from
tremendous heat of the sun in
North Africa. We had our fun
there, however, after the campaign
was over; we swan in the Mediter-
ranean, went on picnics and even
went around and saw the ruins of
ancient Carthage. The most i'm
pressive thing was the ruins of the
Roman Amphitheatre where the
Christians of some 5000 years ago
were put to death in a pit of lions.
We saw the actual rooms that held
them prisoners, the lions den, the
Roman guards room and the gal
lery where women were sold to
the soldiers as slaves. Then after
we had just about completed our
tour the guide led US to the chapel
where many Christians prayed the
last time before meeting the lion.
I looked upon the very altar and
the actual cross, which was made
of lovely granite or marble; I don't
know which, that was still standing
after 5000 years. l felt very hum
BILE.
Well, Christmas is coming on and
I suppose that the city will be dec
Grated in beautiful splendor as
usual. would like to be there, as
would many others over here, but
I'll have to be contented. Last
Christmas l was in mud and water
sleeping in a pup tent, eating
corned beef and C ration with hard
tack and liking it. I guess this
Christmas will be the same but one
consolation is that Pm getting
closer to home. What a time my
first Christmas home will be. Pm
hoping next Christmas will be the
one.
Give all our friends there our
best regards and tell them to keep
those home fires burning because
it won't be long now.
Sincerely yours,
Cpl. Carl Wade.
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