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Show Letter Box . . . February 7, 1944. Dearest Mom; Just a few lines to let you know I am all-right and am feeling just grand. I hope you're not mad but this is the first chance I've had to write in about two months. I am down in the South Pacific and on the other side of the equator. equa-tor. It's an old tradition that when you cross the equator, you get a pretty rough initiation into the Royal Order of the Shell-backs. I received three letters from you and one from dad last night, and was very glad to hear from you. I also got the pictures of the kids. I'll send them back so they don't get ruined. The chaplain held L D S services serv-ices for us on the boat and also down here. It sure made me feel good to administer to the Sacrament Sacra-ment once more. What you said in the letter of our sermon last Sunday, was identical. iden-tical. There aren't too many of us L D S boys out here, but they do all look up to us and we are watched constantly as to the lives we lead. Well, Mon dearest, I have to sign off. It's getting too dark to see. Here's three $100 money order to put in savings for me. With love and kisses, Lyle Stewart. P. S. I thought about what you said about getting bonds. They do draw a good interest, but if I need the money before 10 years is up, there isn't any interest inter-est at all and I'll probably need it. You should see the natives around here, they're the funniest looking people you ever laid eyes on. They are awful dark and have red and blond hair and wear a little lit-tle cloth around their waist. But they seem to be very friendly. Bye Now. India, Jan. 12, 1944. Dear Mrs. Stewart; Today I received a Christmas card from you. Thanks a lot. I was really happy to hear from you again. It seems to make a fellow feel better to know the people at home haven't forgotten about him. I guess by this time you are having plenty of snow at home. Here in India the only place it snows is in the mountains. The weather is almost as warm now as it was in the summer. It gets cool enough at nights so that we can sleep good. When we first arrived ar-rived here we could hardly sleep nights. If everyone could come to India and see it, they would know how lucky they are to be an American. There is a great lack of education educa-tion here. Only the highest class Indians get any education. India is nil different caste systems and i relicious beliefs. Some of their be-1 be-1 liefs seem a little silly. A Hindu will not eat beef because they believe be-lieve the cow is sacred. I never realized how- great a country we ! were living in until now. I I can't think of anything more ' to write about, so I will close for I tonight. 1 1 Harlin Williams |