December 16, 1951, Sunday

Pfc. Robt. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co. "C" Replacement Ba.
Camp Stoneman
Pittsburg, California

Dear Mom and Dad,

I just got back from the show so I thought before I did anything else today, I would drop you a few lines.
I had K.P. yesterday, it wasn't bad except i had to get up at 3:30 A.M., that's kind of ruff.
I finally got alerted, and by the time you get this I'll probably be on my way to the Philippines. Neal (Davis) would get a kick out of that, won't he? We are leaving Tuesday morning.
That's better than Korea, isn't it? That will make it a Merry Christmas after all.
Yo know when you come to think about it, it doesn't at all seem like Christmas. there is no Christmas spirit here but why should there be? I guess that's a good reason.
Mom, I got the cutest little G.I. haircut. I know you will like that, but it will be easier to keep clean.
When I got it, I didn't know where I was going.
I can just see me laying under a coconut tree now, getting a suntan, eating the coconut and drinking the milk. Ha! Ha! That will be the life.
Well, I'll close for now, and I am always thinking of you all. So write and I hope business is good.
Lots of Love,
Bob
P.S.
Take car of yourselves.