January 14, 1951 Sunday

Rct. Robert M. Gimbel
Co. C-69 Med Tk Ba
C & B 6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood Mo

Dear Mom & Dad,

Well, today is Sunday and we are going to be changed in our barracks in alphabetical order.
I made a mistake when I said Jack the boy from Sherwin Williams went to Texas, he's here in Missouri in the next barracks.
We just got back from dinner.
How's the weather in Kalamazoo? It was snowing here when we went to church this morning. It is only raining now.
You ought to see the soil here, it's all clay, red clay and it sure gets our shoes dirty. Yesterday we marched 3 miles to get clothes, then didn't get any, now we have to go way back again.
I want you to know I miss all of you, and I sure miss your cooking Mom. Mom, you said once that you would see if you could send the Gazette to me, if you could, it would sure be swell. There are a lot of Kazoo fellows that would like to see it when I was finished.
I sent the fellow Jerry across the street a card. Has Ted (Ted Klinger) been over?
The Sargent said that not too many of us would get a leave until our unit training was over which will be 8 weeks after basic, if not, I am coming home if I get a weekend pass or 72 hours, for sure.
It sure is sloppy weather.
I am having a hard time writing this letter as the fellow in the next bunk is writing also, and is asking me how to spell every other word.
Tomorrow is the big day.
How's the shop, lots of business? (Body Shop at Daleidens)
I hear my picture was in the front page of the paper, if I would have known, I would have smiled a little more.
It's 600 miles from here to Kazoo.
I have been losing weight, as I can feel it.
This is all I can think of for now, so as soon as you get my address, write me, as I sure am dying for a letter from home.
Tell Claudia Hello, can Rosemary talk yet? (I was 1 year, 5 months old).
Goodbye for now.
Love.
Your Son Bob