Dear Mom, Dad, Eve and All,

     It's been quite a while since I've written to anyone except Eve, though I hope she gives you all the news that I write about, so tonight I thought I would include you all in on my letter.  Today I received five from Eve postmarked Jan 9th, 10th, two of the 12th and 14th.  I wish they would come singly every day instead of five all at once every five or six days, but I'm sure glad to get them whenever they come.  Write me one of your long ones when you can find the time, Mom.  The climate here on our island is still all anyone can wish for, warm days and cool nights.  Our area is now pretty well set up.  We have an outdoor theater with movies every night, mostly old ones.  I haven't been to any of them as yet.  Now that we have an evening to spend I usually spend it writing to Eve or trying to make my tent a little more liveable by adding a few refinements.  Last night I made a table fastened against the wall and tonight I made a stool to go with it.  I'm typing on it now using a miniature portable typewriter that belongs to our sergeant major.  I have a cabinet for my clothes which lacks a door as yet since there are no hinges or latch hooks available.  You might send me a pair or two of hinges like on the kitchen cupboards and a latch of some kind.  Also a couple of small hasps.  Our food has definitely improved since we first got here and tonight we had steak for supper.  Last Sunday we had fresh chicken.  We get fresh butter now, too.  As far as security goes we haven't had a Jap raid since our arrival and the few Japs still loose on the island are at the opposite end from us and we are well protected from them by the Marines.  So all in all it's about as quiet and safe a spot as can be found in the Pacific.  I can pick up Frisco most any time of day on my radio so I still have some touch with the USA way out here, besides my mail which, of course, is the biggest thing that happens any day.  I have Frisco on the radio as I write and there is some good swing music on now.  The news just came on at dictation speed.  It sure is good now isn't it, with the Russians only 150 miles from Berlin?  I guess Bug will beat me home all right.  Eve writes that you all had a very nice Christmas even if it was a bit lonesome for her.  My own was better than I expected.  The windfall of cards and letters, which came entirely unexpected, being the best Christmas present I could have asked for.  Our own PX opened last week so we can get all the toilet articles we need.  Cigarettes are rationed at one pack a day.  We get 24 cans of beer a month and a couple of cans of fruit juice a week.  10 cents for beer and 20 cents for the juice.  Candy is a bit on the scarce side so a box of Fanny farmers would be welcome and would come through okay, I think, since our climate is not tropical.  Strange as it seems at this time of year, I've acquired a very nice sun tan.  Quite different weather than that Eve tells me you are having at home.  Thanks for your letter of Christmas Day, Dad.  That also was very welcome.  I'm sending some souvenirs of Hawaii for Mom, Pete, Gerry and Eve and I'll expect a letter in exchange for them from each of you.  I also have a calendar for Mom and Eve.  And now as I have reached the end of the page I'll say Cheerio and down with Hitler and Hirohito.

Love to all,

Bob