The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1944-07-21
Marine
Continued from Page One

A REGULAR GUY
Jack was Boy Scout in
Mount Clemens-but not an ex-
ceptionally good Boy Scout. He
flunked on a lot of merit badg-
eS. He attended the Baptist Sun
day school here, but they don't
remember him as a plaster-saint
OF any magnitude. Just regular
guy, with a good streak in him.
But his letter-the one to his
parents in which he explains
why he turned down a chance TO
come homes the best insight
into his character, and the best
reason why he's fighting for the
things that are right.
The personal parts are left
out. Here's the rest of it.:
June "a, IA.
My Dearest Folks: Please
forgive me for neglecting you
so. If l could only explain my
position, you might understand
better that I'm so busy haven't
written TO any one for quite
some time. You know my
thoughts are with you just the
same. I've received seven letters
in the past two days, first in
some time again.
THE news sure sounds good
lately, doesn't it? / think the
war will end before too long
now. I'm going to try and stick
it out over here until it is over.
After all that's what l joined
the service for, to fight for my
country.
The happiest day In my
life will be when l can come
home; but / want to be able
to say the job is done. When
do come home. And that
did all in my power to finish
ii.
IF came home now, could
not say that, and would proba-
bly, have TO go back. / don't
want my brother to have TO
come out here. I am just one
man, but would have to be re-
placed by another one, and /.
might be my brother.
i've been over here for some
time now and I've grown used
to it. I'm toughened to battle
conditions; the heat; living con-
ditions and to being away from
my loved ones. 1t would be
much easier for me to stick 1t
out now than to 60 home and
have to leave again. I think 1t
would be easier for you too,
don't you?
You know my love for you
is very deep and sincere. Please
don't think it has faded one
particle because of my long abb
sense. 1t sill is and always will
remain the same.
"Now folks what I'm trying
to tell you Is, I've volunteered
to stay over for while long
err, maybe six to eight months.
A buddy and I were talking,
and it led up to my telling
him l had volunteered. He
hurt my feelings by asking my
il l didn't care for my Nom
and Dad. In his way of think
ing l may owe it to you to
come home at my first Op-
pOrtunity, but in my way OF
thinking, and I've tried to
study it out, I'm not doing
wrong. l had % tell you this
as SO many are going home
and you would be wondering
why l wasn't.
I'm not alone folks. So many
see it my way. A lot say their
luck won't hold out much long
err, but I'm not trusting to luck.
I've put myself in the good
Lords hands. I'm not the least
bit worried about not getting
home; I'll get there but it's
Just a matter of time. I've told
you before how I've felt, so /
am praying you'll understand
my feelings now.
i've been very busy and
working very hard but am hap
by at my work; because l feel
I'm doing my job we'll. If I'm
not, it's not my fault; because
I'm doing my best.
How is everything at home?
So glad the farm is going better
this year than last. How is
Grandma? Give her my love.
Tell everyone l send my best
regards and I'll try and write
more often. All my love to you.
The best family fellow could
wish for.
"Your devoted son,