Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1944-01-27

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Most of us who have boys or
girls in the service like to read let
tiers telling about conditions under
which they live while away from
home. I am therefore sending you
a copy of letter from Randolph
telling about Christmas with the
Air Force in the Pacific Area.
Best wishes for Happy New
Year, with the hope that it will
bring us close to peace again.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas Russell
Pacific Area
Dear Folks:
Christmas is over so I will at
tempt to get some kind of letter
written, though the competition
around here is rather tough.
In the first place, I was really
tickled with the presents you sent.
You really did fine with the Christ
mas cards, and it looks as if I'll
have enough candy, etc., to last un-
til Spring. And, that bottle of
olives certainly was something. I
still am very fond of the things.
The Army came through with a
present too. I received my promo
ton to Sergeant, effective Christ
mas eve, though ratings usually
come out the first of the month. All
in all I had what you would call a
quiet, but Merry Christmas.
The other day I drew a flute
from Special Service and worked
up comedy routine, using the
flute. I put on two appearances
the night before Christmas eve at
the Service Club, for which I get
some extra cash. I have another
booking for January 9Th, if nothing
comes up.
They had sort of open house at
the Service Club on Christmas eve,
so 1 stayed around there. Ingrid
Bergman & Company, who were
here entertaining us, dropped in for
awhile and we had good time.
Christmas Day, slept late and
then spent an hour or so stuffing
myself with turkey. We had a
swell meal-everything you could
think of to eat. The mess hall was
very nicely decorated with all sorts
of trimmings. We are supposed to
get a free party, or something, for
having the best decorated mess hall
on the Field. 1t was really nice
Christmas tree, lighted candles on
the tables, and all the rest.
Everything considered, had
lot nicer Christmas than last year
at Chanute Field. Among other
things, it was lot warmer. This
is a real tropical paradise compared
to some places have been. Here
we are clothed according to the
weather, and have much better
equipment than we had back in the
States.
I feel very fortunate about now
since 1 have New Years Eve and
New Years Day off on this shift.
Love,
Randy
Sgt. T. R. Russell
A. S. N. 12132432
A. P. o. 942, Postmaster
Seattle, Washington
Thank you Mr.. Thomas Russell
for sending in your sons letter for
publication. Dribbles is quite sure
that Our Boys and Girls in the Ser
vice will enjoy reading of their
friends promotion, and the Christ
mas celebration. According to this
young soldiers own story, it APP
pears that life in some of our dis
tant stations is not truly bad after
all. Of course, it's far different
from being back home where most
of the Boys really want to be, but
it is not like having the jungle
area to contend with like some of
the Boys down in the South Pacific
thank God
Yes, Mr.. Russell, many of those
who remain at home during the
present conflict have much to be
terribly grateful for, although all
of us do not realize it. When you
stop for a minute and think of how
the people on the European Contin-
ent were forced to spend their
Christmas 1913, it gives us some
idea how fortunate are the resi-
dents of this United States. Let
us both hope and pray that before
another year rolls around, Europe
will be freed from the Invaders,
and millions of war-weary people
will be starting to rebuild for
new start in the life that is to fol-
low. None of us will ever begin to
know just how much misery and
suffering this war has caused over
there. May God give man enough
courage and wisdom to lay the nee
essary plans to prevent it happen
ing again-ever,