We Had a Sport Carnival - July 28, 1945

Germany
July 28, 1945

Dear Mother,

They have the darndest weather over here. One day it's so hot you can't stand it and the next it's so cold that you shiver with a jacket on. Even when it's hot the nights are so damp that clothes feel clammy in the morning. It might be good for crops, but I don't feel like a crop.
We had a division sport carnival Thursday and Friday. There was track events, baseball games, boxing, horseshoe pitching, and volleyball. Besides there was the usual midway with games of skill and chance, a few beer tents and of course sandwich counters.
I ran in the two hundred meter race and the eight hundred meter race and the eight hundred meter relay. Couldn't get past the simi-finals in the race but we took fourth place in the relay. I thought that was pretty good considering the poor condition we were in.
I also picked up a nice case of sunburn while running around out there in trunks. Maybe it will turn into a nice coat of tan someway or other.
Next week-end the division is going to hold a water carnival. I'd like to enter but I'm afraid I can't swim anyways near that good.
Well I've got a little guard duty to pull tonight. So I'll say Goodnight for now
Lumps and Lumps of Love
Kenneth

We Went To The Firing Range - June 27, 1945

Germany
June 27, 1945

Dear Mother,
You are probably wondering what has happened to my writing arm. Nothing special, just the Army and their ideas.
We went out on the firing range last week. Supposedly we were to stay there two days then come back to camp. Due to bad weather and poor management on the range we didn't get back to camp until last night.
I managed to get a sunburned nose - bad weather or not. That's what comes of living indoors. A few hours out in the sun, and bingo! a cute little red snozola. It looks hic! like I might, hic! be a hic! booze hound, hic!
So Dad got caught in the floods. It's a good thing he didn't get stranded someplace. Maybe you can both get down to the place later this summer.
My bowling isn't too hot. Sometimes I do pretty good and then other times those d--n pins just wont fall down. The worst trouble is the size of the balls. The first two or three games are alright, but after that my hand starts getting sore from being wrapped around the ball. After my hand gets sore it's time to quit. About that time my control over the ball goes bye-bye and the score hits rock bottom.
I'll say goodnight for now and send my Love to keep you company.
Kenneth

Just A Short Note - March 15, 1945

March 15, 1945

Dear Mother,

Your letter of March first just came. So I take my pencil in hand to answer same.
I've really been taking advantage of all good weather lately. Of an evening I take a short walk. It furnishes exercise and I get to see the countryside.
I picked up a little curio in Brussels you might be interested in. I won't make any remarks. That way you can draw your own unbiased opinion.
Things looked bad for a while. Our radio stopped working. Lucky for us it was only a burnt out condenser. That was easily repaired and now the old radio gives just like of old.
It's strange where baseballs and things like that come from. When a few days of nice weather come along - bingo - out comes the baseball for a little game of catch in spare moments. It always happens with Americans on the loose.
- LOOK - no paper. So Loads of Love for now -
Kenneth