Richard Lee Holt Sr. letter to his wife Minneford Francis Holt, September 18, 1943

Mrs Richard L. Holt 1st Sgt Richard L. Holt Fayetteville, Arkansas Battery "B" 956th FA Bn. RFD# 5 APO 464 % Post Master New York Ny. My Dearest Sweetheart Saturday Afternoon September 18, 1943 Honey it has been three days since I have written and I guess I need a good spanking but it rained for two days and I was pretty busy yesterday and today so you will just have to excuse it this time and I will try not to let it happen again, because I know you look for a letter every two or three days the same as I do. I know how disappointed I am when I dont get one, and I know that you are the dame way. We are still in North Africa and carrying on about the same schedule as we did back in the States. The weather the past few days reminds me of the weather at home. It is much more agreeable since the rain has [settled] the dust and we can keep half way clean. This darn typewriter just wnont write for me this afternoon. I got two letters to-day one dated the 19 the other the21 tell about Bruce Jr. I sure hate to hear about it and I know Bruce and [Verna] are pretty well torn up about it. Honey you will have to send them my sympathny. I guess you told them that in the letter that you wrote them. Honey the letters this afternoon were swell but it sure is hard for me to keep from going off by myself somewhere when I get your long lette rs. I enjoy getting them so much and they make me so blue, especially this afternoon most of the men have gone off somewhere and I have thing pretty much to myself. I cant see for the life of me what they see in this place here after going ther once or twice. One time was enough for me, but tomorrow I think I will go to a place called Bella Bease and spend the day. It is some kind of a resort, at least it will help pass away a long Sunday. I will tell you about it in my next letter. I guess by now you are all settled and moved. I am glad you got a gas heater, now I won't have to worry about your getting out and carrying in coal. And about your spending my hard earned money, you just spend as much as you hve and want to I dont want you and the kids to want for anything if it can be prevented. After all that is why I am over here for to help keep that from happing. And if I know that you have it I can be so much more satisfide. As for myself I am getting everything that I need so dont worry about me. We got our cigretts and candy yesterday. The officers and my self set up a little store of our own and put out the stuff. I get a kick out of seeing the boys get their stuff. They are just like abunch of kids waiting for Santa Clause wondering what they will get this time. Yesterday we got 8Pks of Cig two candy bars soap Matches and chewing gum, all rationed. Then of course we can get some things like Bathe towles tooth past, Talcum powder anl all such stuff as that by ordering it. Honey dont forget about the Cigrett lighter, also you might send me some more razor blades. We still have to shave every day so it takes a blade a day for me. Well sweet it is time to eat supper so will finish this after I eat. Here I am again and since I have eaten I feel much better. We had hash pickle beets, bread, pudding and Ice tea. Honey I am eating like ahorse, I believe I have gained 10 or fifteen pounds in the last two weeks. Of course I could eat some of your hot biscuits and pies and stuff like [that] but we are fairing pretty well I think. Well dear one ther really isnt much news from here this time. So give all the kids a big hug and kiss for daddy and keep a big one for the Dearest Girl in all the world. I guess I will have covererd lots of ground before I get back and I have yet to see any one that could be worth one of your little fingers Honey Girl I love you more than anything in the whole world. So take care of yourself for me sweet, And I will be home one of these fine days. The War news the last few days is looking lots better. I believe Germany will give up before to long. Give all the folks my love, also remember me to all the neighbors. Tell Mrs Osburn not to think to hard of Wayne that we all go crazy once in a while. Bye, Bye for this time and may God keep you sage in his care. Le