Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Folks.

Another week has almost passed. The weather has moderated some what the last few days, We have been getting rain and a few inches of mud. This is going to be a great place when the real spring thaw sets in. We are getting gum boots issued to use and we surely need them.

I have been doing carpenter work for the last week. I don’t know how long I will be at it. There is quite a bit of it to be done around here for a while.

I am disappointed about my insurance. I find that I cannot make it out to an aunt. It must be made out to a brother, sister, wife, child, father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother. I surely was disappointed when they told me the other day. I don’t see why they didn’t tell me that at Devens when I took it out first. The only thing left for me to do was to make it out to Grandpap but as the thing is to be in 20 yr payments I don’t consider this a very good arrangement. If I can better it I will but I don’t know as yet. I suppose I could make it out to C.R.⁽¹⁾Joel’s father, see Biographical Background but I don’t feel like it.

In the commissary here we can now buy a large can of condensed milk for 12¢ and a quart can of peaches for 26¢, so as long our money holds out we are indulging in peaches and cream in the evenings. Almost makes us think we are home again.

I just got long letter today from James Smith that was mailed on Nov. 5. Our mail hasn’t been coming as regular since we moved up here. Aunt K. Bradley’s package and one from my father mailed about the same time hasn’t reached me yet.

Haven’t much news. Am well and all right.

Lovingly,
Joel

P.S. Am sending you a sample of French money. Am sending check in this letter.