Nov 16th 1918

Dear Father;

Today is Saturday and we have completed our daily drill. It is a very cold day and the most disagreeable we have experienced overseas. I’d say we are very fortunate to be billeted in Belgian homes for if we were on the battle front during the past few days we would suffer a great deal from the cold.

I am so glad your operation proved to be a successful one, and you will be able to enjoy living from now on. How lucky we are that we both came out all right and will be able to see each other again before many months. When I get back home I think you had better have a trip planned so we can enjoy a little vacation together.

I received a letter from Mr. Wallace yesterday enclosing a statement of my account with the company. To my surprise I found he is crediting my salary to my account each month. I don’t think it is hardly fair that I should be favored in this respect for he is doing all the hard work while I am simply looking on. At any rate we will adjust matters when I get home.

Understand from Milt’s letter you intend to purchase the amount of stock Dr. Gardners owns in the Bank of Fallon. Should this be the case, and if you have some that you would be willing to turn over to me, I would be glad to purchase it from you. You know I have fifteen shares now but If could get hold of five more it would help out considerable, however don’t do this if you prefer to keep it in your own name.

This army life overseas has not been as comfortable as it might be for we have been compelled to put up with things that are hard to take at the time but we have made the best of them and will come home much the wiser. Yesterday we marched back to a large town here in Belgium where we took a hot shower bath and at the same time our clothes were fumigated with hot steam to kill the cooties. We covered a distance of approximately fifteen miles during the day.

I only wish I could be at home for Christmas but I don’t think there is a chance. If I am not there you can enjoy the day just the same and know I will be home before long.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I have the pleasure to remain your son,

Ira L. Kent.

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