Richard Lee Holt Sr. letter to his wife Minneford Francis Holt, written in Italy on August 29, 1944

My Dearest Sweetheart August 29 Italy Honey here I am again, but I have a very good reason. You know I was lucky again today I got three letters. They were dated the 14, L7 & 18. So from the three I should be able to fill another page. I just fin- ished a letter to Mr & Mrs Phillips. I dont know what ever made me think of them, but they were always so nice to me I thought I would drop them a line and let them know I hadent forgotten them. I also intend to write Mr Pearson one of these days. Honey you asked how long it took a Pkg to come, well it takes anywhere from a month to six weeks, at least that is how long the last two cartons of a cig were in coming since wylie has ssnt me a carton you had better skip a month. Honey you mentioned that some of the folks thought maby I was going to get a promotion, now you know better than that. I wouldent have a commission if they would give it to me. Honey there is to much confusion here in the excutive post to- night so I am going to finsih this in the morning. Well my sweet here it is about time for the mail to go off again and I dont have this letter finsihed. I have been looking for some inspecting officers from the Corp Hqrs all morning, but they havent shown up yet. I guess about the time I get started good they will come and I wont get this off. Honey if you had of bet two to one on us starting something the same time that they invaded Southern France, you would havelost some money. We are just sitting around holding our hands. We are doing a little night firing but not enough to amount to anything. Sweetheart I am glad you got the earrings, I know they are pretty. I would have liked to sent you something myself but couldent find anything I wanted. Honey you said Modene was giving her car fits. Where is she getting the gasoline to go on, from what I hear gas ie getting harder to get all the time. Honey my furlough aws tobe and still will be if I get one, just a straight 30 day furlough, they are for key men. I wouldent want rotation because ther isnt any telling where a fellow might wind up; Well my dear I did look at the calender, and as usual you are right I dont know how come me to make the mistake and I wasent drunk either. That is one thing I havent done a whole lot of since I have been over here. I have had a few drinks with some of the Officers, but to just get out and get drunk no. Honey I dont know just who Sgt Dent married. I am like you Honey, I dont see why they dont send him on home. Sweetheart the mail clerk is ready to take the mail off so will have to finish this in a hurry he is waiting on me. The war news is still all in our favor and I dont see how it can possiably last much longer. Honey this isnt much but I promise to do better next time. I love you with all my heart sweetheart Le