Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Aunt Mary,

Received thy letter of Feb 22 the other day. In regard to the allotment being finished, it is correct. It was what is called a voluntary allotment. That is I made it of my own accord and it came out of my pay and since it was voluntary thee received no additional amount from the government. I made it for 12 months and January was the last month, so that will be all thee will get. I don’t think I will renew it because [I want to get] as many passes as possible and see as much of this country as I can while we are here. While the war was going on it was almost impossible to get passes or furloughs. However, I am going to keep up my insurance until I get back and have a chance to turn it into some other kind of insurance. That Liberty Bond thee received, I directed to be sent to thee. Keep it till I get back. Does this explain things for thee? Has thee inquired any where about my insurance, how I can be sure of thy getting it?

We are still in Brest, and are quite likely to be for some time. It would probably put thy mind to rest if thee did not expect me for two more months at least. Unless we have been put on the sailing list in the last two weeks we are not on it and have never been on it. If I had known we had this long to stay, I would have volunteered for the Army of Occupation when the Armistice was signed.

We are having spring weather now. Of course, it rains most of the time but some times we get a clear day and they are mighty nice and certainly enjoyed.

Hope you all are well.

Best of love,
Joel

J.C. Swisher
Co. B 25 Eng

P.S. March 13
Read thy letter of March 3 today.