We Fixed a Day Room - May 29, 1945

Germany
May 29, 1945

Dear Mother,

Dog gone! according to my calculations the "Sky Ranch" should just about be paid for by now. That's what you call good news. The next item on the program seems to be buildings. As long as we are going to spend time and money at might just as well be spent for something we can use later. Either as a cabin to be rented or a playroom as you suggested.
I have birds singing in my ears. Yesterday I did a little pistol shooting in an enclosed range. The cuncusion in a small room makes the ears ring for two or three days. Of course a little cotton stuffed in the ears helps a lot - but who has any cotton?
How is Dad doing this week? Better than ever I hope. Here's hoping people burn out lots of bulbs.
We have a sort of day room fixed up in the basement of our barracks. The room we took has a bowling ally and a bar. The bowling ally is asphalt and you use a ball slightly smaller than ours, without finger holes. It has to be balanced in the palm of the hand which makes it hard to control.
There is a large element of luck involved because more pins can be gotten by missing the head pin, than if you hit the head pin. Sounds screwy doesn't it? Tis too.
Beer is served at the bar. Sometimes I don't think there is any alcohol at all in the stuff. It can be consumed all night long with no outward effects. Maybe it's better that way - who knows.
All good things must come to an end, so I'll end this letter as of now. Now beware and take care.
Love to all
Kenneth

I'm Now In Jena, Germany - May 20, 1945

Germany
May 20, 1945

Dear Mother,

Hows all the Register family getting along now days? Everything is going along fine for the displaced member of the afore mentioned family. Not too many complaints and no regrets.
I've got a new home again. This time in Jena, Germany. Right now I'm staying in barracks at the Jena airport. I don't know how long it will be before I return to my pup tent, but until I do I shall enjoy my stay under a solid roof.
I received two boxes from you yesterday. One mailed March fifteenth containing a box of caramels. The other mailed April second containing writing paper, candy, etc. I thank you with all my heart.
I'm going to close for now, or I won't get any supper.
So until later - all my love
Kenneth

In England Jan. 1944

Friday

Dear Mother,
Here I am in jolly old England. It looks a good deal as one would imagine. The thing that seems the strangest is the oldness of all buildings. So far I haven't seen any new buildings like you see in the States.
Some of the homes and villages are quite picturesque. They look like something from a story book. The straw thatched roofs with their gables and peaks. I'm sorry now I didn't bring a camera to take pictures of this country.
Our housing situation is much better than I expected. We have barracks belonging to one of the old Historical Regiments of England, from the age of the barracks they must be very historical. The beds we sleep on make me laugh every time I lay down. They are almost six feet long and have a straw tick for a mattress. Now I'll have a comeback if Dad ever starts talking about straw ticks.
I got your letter of Dec. twenty-seventh. Am glad to hear everyone had a good time. Linda Lee should be getting pretty husky by now. I would have like to have gotten something for the kids, but I've been moving so fast and so far that many things had to be foregone.
This letter will probably reach you about your birthday so I'm taking this oportunity to wish you a *HAPPY BIRTHDAY WITH LOVE*.
Tell Dad to take good care of that Christmas cheer. And don't do anything with it that I wouldn't.

Love
Kenneth

In Louisiana Oct. 1943

Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Mother, You guessed it, we are in Louisiana now. We sure hop around a lot. If this keeps on I'll visit every state in the union yet.
We came by way of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Got into camp early this morning. I feel like I could stand about twenty-four hours sleep. We have been on the go since four o'clock this morning.
Did you and Dad get to see the world series? I'll bet that was a disappointment to lots of St. Louis fans. We listened to as many of the games as possible. Every once in a while an officer came and put us to work, but not for long.
I'm going to quit now and finish tomorrow night.
It really feels good to get back in barracks again. Even if it does mean scrubbing floors and making beds.
This camp is a good deal like Funston. The ground is sand and pine trees grow through out the camp.
The thing most of us like best is the change from "C" rations to "B" rations. You don't realize how good fresh milk, butter and eggs are until you have eaten powdered milk and eggs and canned butter.
How are the teeth coming along? Has Dad or Rosalyn run out on you again? If they do let me know and I'll send one of my Sargent's down to give them a talking to. Some of these Sargent's can really tell you off.
That fellow from Co. 'E' you met in St. Louis has probably been too busy to do any visiting as yet. I know we have.
I'll write again when we get straightened up a little.

Love
Kenneth