August 31, 1951, Friday

Pvt. Robert Gimbel
U.S. #######
Company "B"
369th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment
Ft. Worden, Washington

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am barracks orderly today, so I thought I would write as I got a lot of time.
Unless they change their minds, I guess I am going to school down at Coronado, that's about 6 miles south of San Diego, California, right on the coast.
I guess they are going to make a Cox wain or engine man out of me. I hope I go, because that's the only way I'll get to California.
The guys that went there, said they had a swell time.
We just got paid, a few minutes ago, the monthly disgrace that is.
I hope everything is okay.
I am going to call tomorrow, maybe I'll sneak over this afternoon and call if I can get away with it. But I am calling tomorrow for sure.
I am sending some more pictures home, that one of Jay's makes him look as if he's grown 6 inches or a foot taller, maybe he has.
Save these negatives, I want to have some prints made because some of them are pretty good. The one of me by the cannon is good, I think. I would like to have it enlarged some day.
Well, all the guys have left. Orie said he would stop in and see you folks.
Some Indian caught a 900 lb. Sturgeon on the Columbia River and used a 4 lb. Salmon for bait. I wouldn't mind even catching a little 4 lb. salmon, would you?
Well, this is all for now and write soon.
Tell the kids, Hi!
Lots of Love,
Bob