November 19, 1943 (out of order)

Dear Mom, Pop, Mary, Jerry and Mat,
   Surprised, this is the second letter I am writing you in three days. I guess wonders will never cease.
   I received a letter from Mom yesterday and one from Pop today.  The boys back in Las Vegas are readdressing my mail so it won't have to go to the Selection Board in Los Angeles then here. Probably take a day longer that way.
   Ever since I have gone away, Pop has had his hand in my card parties than Father Linibach. Well, the Chellis family has to make money some way. My Mammy always said that the family first got a start when Pop became an usher in church. - Easy Poppy. Glad to hear Jerry won something- stay in there churching and we'll soon refurnish the house.
   Don't say it too loud, but it is raining here in California. These natives claim it is heavy fog but it is as wet as rain we had in New York. Last night, coming back from Long Beach I ran into a fog. Boy, I could hardly see ten feet in front of me.They tell me at this time of year, Long Beach section has them every night. Don't let it get around that I told you or I would be run out of California by the Chamber of Commerce.
   I went to see some bone specialists today and he has recommended diathrmy (sp?) treatments. What a racket. Please address my mail Chief Goldbricker Chellis, from now on. He didn't say how long I would be here buy I kind of like this place and would enjoy a rest for a week or more, then a nice leave- wishful thinking.
   Last night I went to the wrestling matches down in Long Beach with a few of the other cadets. Boy what a bunch of comedians. They are the biggest phonies going. People go there for a laugh more than anything else.
  I haven't decided what I am going to to do over the weekend but believe me I shouldn't have any trouble amusing myself. I think about the best thing to do is to see Long Beach first. They have an amusement center down there similar to Coney Island called the "Pike". I noticed the roller coaster when I was coming in from Los Angeles.
   The scenery here in southern California must have been real pretty. You should see the outlying districts now. The whole mountain side is covered with oil wells. The are no more than 25 ft apart, and almost black out the ground from a distance. Only one out of three are in use now. I imagine they would be able to beautify Long Beach and Los Angeles a 100% if they tore those structures down.
  A ha the sun has just come out for the first time today. The chamber of commerce can smile again.
   Out here in Long Beach all the homes are of the bungalow type that you might see in the better sections of Rockaway. Palm trees line the residential streets just as maple trees a stringed along our streets in Woodhaven. I must compliment California on their beautiful schools. About six or seven years ago an earthquake tore down all the old structures and these new buildings replaced them. You might have seen some of them in the various movies. All modernistic and will kept campus really could make school enjoyable.
   I had better close now. I almost forgot about chow so I have to hustle if I want to eat. Friday today- what can I eat?
                                   Your loving son, brother, & nephew,
                                                                          Jim