Feb 25, 1944 Dear folks; At last the dark secret can be unveiled. I am on the Anzio Beachhead. I guess the censors feel that since the Gerries know we

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Bertram Leonard
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1 Feb 22, 1944 Dear folks; haven't written for two days, so thought I'd do so now while I have the chance. I did have some ink in my pen, but it ran out when I got half way through the letter so I started over. I just finished eating a box of K rations. It seemed good to eat something besides C rations. There is a fruit bar and a candy bar in them which are duly appreciated by us fellows because both fruit and candy are scarce here. I found a mirror this morning which someone had discarded. Was I horrified when I saw myself. You people would die if you could see me. Thank goodness you can't. My beard was about a quarter of an inch thick. My hair was just plastered to my scalp. It needs such a washing. I'm going to get some hot water as soon as I finish this letter and try and make myself presentable once more. How's every little thing back home? Rolling along smartly, I hope. Maybe it won't be too infinitely long before I'm back there. Let's hope not. Till next time. I'm always your loving son Jack.

Feb 25, 1944 Dear folks; At last the dark secret can be unveiled. I am on the Anzio Beachhead. I guess the censors feel that since the Gerries know we're here it is all right for you to know too.

2 Feb 25, 1944 Dear folks; At last the dark secret can be unveiled. I am on the Anzio Beachhead. I guess the censors feel that since the Gerries know we're here it is all right for you to know too. The country of Italy is quite beautiful in places with its mountains and valleys. The mountains are quite high; there's still snow on the top of the highest. There is much livestock roaming wild around the hills here. Everyone so after an unfortunate chicken gets strangled in some barbed wire or a cow steps on a landmine, so that takes care of our meat situation. I went back with the kitchen last nite, sleep here in a sleeping bag (a new experience for me) - you zip them up around you after climbing in. I had a tooth filled this afternoon. That's why I came back. Don't forget write after using airmail stamps, it travels faster than V-mail. Can't get anything but V-mail so must use it. Most lovingly, Jack

3 Feb 27, 1944 Dear folks; A lot of mail came in yesterday for replacements, but they were fellows who had been in Africa before coming here. I expect some forwarded mail, this mail sent to the last address I had when yet in the states in a week or two. It's going to seem funny getting those old letters. One fellow just received some letters stated Sept. '43! Say, as far as packages and boxes are concerned, Mom, quite a few came in more than I expected. Is maybe the joy you get out of preparing a box for me won't be taken from you. Of course, you can [??] as to the restrictions on size and weight of packages but I didn't think they're as strict as they used to be. If it's too much red tape don't bother. I can imagine the condition in which cookies will arrive but I don't care. I'll scoop up the crumbs with a spoon first so they're your cookies. You might include a few Milky Way bars if obtainable. we get more cigarettes than we can possibly smoke. Yesterday we were rationed three candy bars, one package of gum and a cigar. Darn those cows one almost walked in my foxhole just now. Will close. With all my love, Jack

4 Mar 6, 1944 Dear folks; I came back to [censored] today to go to the dentist again. From the way he talked, I'm going to be coming back here after, 'cause he said I have at least six or seven teeth that need attention badly. I love eating back here hot meals you know. This morning we had pancakes and steak sandwiches for dinner. The mail orderly just told me that overseas packages had to be requested now, although they come in all shapes and sizes. All you need to do is show this letter to the postmaster so that he'll know a box has been requested by me. The fellow I sleep with received his Xmas package the other evening, but as it was too dark to see them, he thought he'd wait till morning to open them. Because we were both on guard from 3 AM till 6 AM and when we awoke to go on post, we were so hungry that he opened a box, and we sat like fools eating fudge in the middle of the night! It was really poor fudge but to me at that time it was tasted delicious! World of love, Jack

Mar 11, 1944 Dearest folks; Here I am continuing first letter. I haven't written Johnny yet because I haven't his address. I've got to have someplace to send his mail.

5 Mar 11, 1944 Dearest folks; Here I am continuing first letter. I haven't written Johnny yet because I haven't his address. I've got to have someplace to send his mail. You said you had his address, but still you didn't enclose it. I guess you forgot. Yes, I managed to write Bill, Blondie, and Ruth a few letters. I expect to receive some from them too very soon. The weather has been with us here for the last five days sunny and warm. Makes things so much more pleasant than when it's always raining. I hope it find what you want in a new spring coat and dresses. How do you feel, Dad? Stomach been bothering you so very much lately? I certainly hope not. School is going all right, Hou. Remember, study and always do your best. I'm glad I got my first letter that meant I can look for mail every time it comes in now. All my love, Jack

Mar 15, 1944 Dear folks; Received your letter dated Feb. 29 last night. Don't worry Mom, I do pay close attention to the dates because I like to see how long it takes them to get here.

6 Mar 15, 1944 Dear folks; Received your letter dated Feb. 29 last night. Don't worry Mom, I do pay close attention to the dates because I like to see how long it takes them to get here. As for all those letters you wrote to me while I was enroute, I'm sure I'll get them all. I expect to receive them any day now. I'll let you know when I do. It seems so good to be getting steady letters from you again. So Johnny's almost finished with his course in Calif. and expects a ten-day furlough again! Gee, why don't I live right? It seems like he just went out to San Francisco. I was surprised to know that you didn't have my pictures yet. I thought you'd them long ago. So Eddie Linneman is coming over too I'll bet Amanda is worried stiff. She was so worried when he was yet in the States. We over here are counting so much on the Invasion of Europe. Each day we expect to hear that it's started. It should give us so much new hope, because most fellows don't think it will take long after it's once begun. I'll continue letter on another form. All love, Jack

Mar 22, 1944 Dear folks; Well, Mom, received your V-mail letter of March 2, and two back letters of Feb. 11 and 12th. That was your first V-mail letter to me and I hope your last.

7 Mar 22, 1944 Dear folks; Well, Mom, received your V-mail letter of March 2, and two back letters of Feb. 11 and 12th. That was your first V-mail letter to me and I hope your last. Gee, how much more I enjoyed those old letters of 6 to 8 pages. A V-mail is actually no better than a postcard. I have to use them it's all I've got. That's why I write so often. And also you left half the space unused by writing your letter in opposite direction as address. You should write as I do, the same way as" Mr. & Mrs. E. Bohy" etc. If you feel that a six-cent airmail stamp is too expensive for every letter, I don't mind a V-mail once in awhile, but otherwise, from now on, just ordinary letter with airmail stamp. Both yours & Dad's letters took nineteen days to get here, whereas I got an air mail from Johnny in eleven days! You see, the difference in time really is worth the six cents. I'm also waiting for a box -no gum, hard candy. We get all we want of that here. Also stuff like pretzels, cheese balls are stale by the time they get here. Any type of chocolate candy, homemade fudge, and boughten stuff like those devils food cookies or fig newtons you used to send will be most appreciated. Haven't heard from Bill yet. Didn't know about Art Schiefelidge[?] or Helen Gaupner. What news! Boy, did that snowstorm sound wonderful. How I wish I were there for it. Haven't seen snow for ages. I wish I were there anyway, snow, rain or whatever conditions maybe - it's home. All Love, Jack

8 Mar 23, 1944 Dear Mom, Dad & Hou; There wasn't any mail last night, so I naturally didn't get any mail from you either! However, there will probably be a load of it tonite there usually is after a nite minus mail. It rained last nite the first night in fact days & nites, it's rained for quite awhile. But the sun is out today, so all is happy and bright again. It probably won't take long to dry out what fell last nite. I just came in from washing and shaving outside. I enjoy washing outside in the warm sun more than inside it's still cool when you are not in the sun. But it really is warming up it's evident that spring is coming. I want to make certain you received all my mail, so I'm going to use this letter as the guinea pig. Let me know when you receive this particular letter March 23. I've been writing so many recently and I'm apprehensive as to whether you're receiving all of them. Have you seen Clara recently? How is she? Tell her I asked. Also about Edna. What is she doing since Mrs. Spiegeler's death? Let me know. Most lovingly, Jack

The Ten Minute Tutor Read-a-long Book Video Chapter 10. Yellow Bird and Me. By Joyce Hansen. Chapter 10 YELLOW BIRD DOES IT AGAIN

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