Louisiana

"It seems like 6 months instead of just 6 weeks since I kissed you and told you goodbye at that train station." This is the summary of October and November of 1943. Bud is still on maneuvers in and around Shreveport and Alexandria Louisiana. He is a combat engineer so he is in charge of building roads and bridges so all the other troops can move around. He says "If I have to build one more bridge I think I will turn into a bridge!"

One day after cleaning their rifles, Bud's Sargent came by and said "DeFries, that is the cleanest gun I have seen all day. Take the day off...no fox holes for you today!" Bud was glad at the complement but he said he would rather be digging. "The time passes faster when I'm working. It keeps my mind of what I am missing back in Oklahoma."

Bud has made some good friends during his stay in Louisiana. One "old man" he drinks coffee with is trying to get his wife down to him so he and Bud are teaming up to get both of the ladies a place to stay in Louisiana.

Meanwhile back in Oklahoma, Verna is busy pulling cotton bowls. She is about 4 foot 11 and 80 lbs soaking wet so it is very hard on her. She also has some medical problems that concern Bud terribly. He constantly tells her not to worry about money, but she is as "stubborn as a mule" and keeps on. She has been staying with Mom and Pap DeFries most of the time. She feels safer with them and they love the company.

On November 21, 1943, Bud writes "SHORTY COME! Get on the next train to Alexandria I'll be waiting for ya!" They had finally settled into a camp for a while and Bud had found a place for her and the "old man's" wife to stay. They will be roommates, but most importantly Bud can see his "Darling little Wife" again. This is the end of the letters from 1943.