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They have me toating around this n that.  I suspect Ill be doing this until they let me out of the Army, because most of these guys are no bigger than you are.  They say some of us boys will be put aside for Home Duty--farming!  God____it Almighty, I didnt join the Army to work in the rows.  I could have stayed home for that and then I wouldnt be missing you guys so God____ much!
    I sure do miss you guys.  You tell our little soldier how much I liked the train ride to the East.  She doesnt care much for flat-old Kansas, so maybe shell be interested.  She will love these mountains in the east if she ever gets away from Price.  Ill send her a letter to.  I promise to write.  Send chocolate!
     
                  My address:  Co. C 127th Infantry, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces                                                                                                                                                          Best To All, Jr.             
     
                  This was the first letter he had sent home.  Tommy said try first to picture his face, his voice, speaking the words.  She had trouble.  He said try to picture Junior in special-made fatigues.  She was having trouble with that too. 
    “Can’t you hear him laughing, that big, almost silent, opened mouthed laugh of his, which always caused him to cough?  That fire he had in his eyes all the time like there was nothing he wasn’t a hundred-percent sure of?”
    She tried like hell, still couldn’t do it.
    He said, “Read on, then.”
     
     
    April 25, 1918
    Little Brother,                                           Camp Lee, Vrg.
                  Well, like Ive been telling you, we are set for the train ride to New York. We have been issued rifles, and even cartriges.  My helmet is like a screw top on a canteen it is so tight.  The boys really get some good comedy out of it.  They call me Jumbo and Sgt. Sheehee says any Sammy (thats us) that is near me in the trenches is done for because "those Hun bastards" have never had it so easy finding a target for there artillary.  I hope hes not right.  Im starting to really like these guys in my co. Moreover than that, I cant wait to get over to France and start beating hell out of the Kaiser.
    So Mother tells me you are coming home from Wichita.  Don’t do it little brother.  Paw will get on just fine—hell hire some men to help.  You are to smart to be scrubbing around in the dirt of Hope County.  I know our soldier is lonely without us, but it is war T., we all have to make sacrifices.  That’s why I joined up and left the farm in the first place.  I love this country!  And if the President says fight, then I fight.  Anyway we will go over there to France and fix the Hun in time for me to get back for a good thanksgiving dinner.
    Some of the boys here are a little scared of fighting.  I want you to reassure Mother I am not afraid.  I don’t think there has been a German born who can lick a good farm boy from Kansas.  I gess I owe it all to you, little brother.  If you werent such an oddball, talking that fancy talk like you do, than I would of never learned how to fight.  I dont mind.  Im glad for it.  Dont take me seriously.  Those Hun sons of _____es are in for it when I get there.
    Hug our soldier for me before you go.  I sure do miss her.  If one of those jerrys gets lucky and hits me with a bullet, its going to be my brother and sister I miss the most, but dont get all ____blasted teary eyed on me now!
                                Best to all, Your brother Jr.
     
    Tommy asked, “You remember when Gomer and Geshen Neuwald and Pat Fitzmorris and Junior took on those Indian boys from Buffalo?  After