Richard Lee Holt Sr. letter to his wife Minneford Francis Holt, written in Italy on March 2, 1944

Italy March 2 1944 Wednesday Night My Dearest Sweetheart Well here I am again sweet, I missed writeing last night but just felt to bad to write. I have taken a head cold, but am feeling much better to-night. It is st- ill raining tho. I sure do wish it would let up for a few days.I have waded the mud so much that I am getting webb footed. I got your letters of the 17th today. It seem that you have as much, to interupt you in your writeing to me as I have so- metimes when I am writeing to you. I just started this letter to-night when I had to answer the telephone. It was Sgt Smith from Hqrs, he had lost one of his spec- ial orders and wanted to know if I had it, so I stopped and looked it up for him. I am a little suprized at Devores going to Arizona. I believe if they had taken Tommy out ther several years ago he would be much better off now. It is nice that the Dernings are moving in. Just the girls are all that are home now isnt it.? But I would have liked to have seen the Osburns get it. Honey did you buy anything from Devores before they left. I sure would have liked to had their refridgeator. What did they do with their cook stove.? It is a wonder that Dad Kitchel dident buy it. So Don Streubing finaly got married, I am not much suprized, in fact I ra- ther looked for him to do it a long time ago. Honey I guess I will be able to read the whole story about Ben Hembree in the Democrat when I get the next bunch. It is about time for me to get another bunch any time now. I am sure sorry about Dad Kitchel, I was in hopes he would get by with out having to wear a heavy truss. Is nt there anything that can be done about it.? I also hope he can turn the place on hill street. It really isnt doing him any good is it. Dose he manage to keep anyone in it that will pay their rent. Well I had to stop again and fix the fire, then to cap it all off, I was a little like you, some planes came over and I had to go out and see about them. I dont mind them going over but when they get as low as these were tonight, anything can happen. But I guess they were our planes any how they went on over. Well Sweet how did you make out with the snow. I guess it was plenty muddy after it started to melt. Yes Honey I have been getting my mail pretty regular again now. I dont know what caused the delay in getting it. Sweetheart you seem to be getting all the news over there. I guess you really get more news than we do over here. Of course we get some news but not as much as I would like. Some times I get pretty blue about the whole thing, but there isnt anything I can do about it. Like you honey I will sure be glad when this thing is over. Some times it looks like it might be over most any time and then another time it dosent look so good. I guess it is really better that we dont know what is going to happen, maby we would expect to much. Honey dont worry about my cold, I am taking medicine for it and am sure I will come out of it OK. I dont believe it is going to effect my throat this time. I was a little afraid at first, but I guess I got to it in time to stop it.Well Sweet ther Isnt anything unsual happ ing or about to happen as far as I know. We are still in rest camp, and as far as I know will be here for quite some time yet. The only thing is that I have completeley recovered from my pass that I had. I really believe that is what started my cold. I guess I ate to much Spaghetti, and drank a little too much Wine. But I sure did enjoy myself anwhow. Honey I still have my usual reports to get out, and one of them is pretty long. So I guess I had better sign of and get busy on them. So with all my love to the sweetest Girl in the world I will say good night and sleep tight. Your always loving Hubby. Lee P.S I dont believe I asked about any body in my rattling on. But I do hope you and all the Youngster are still all Ok. RL