Saturday December 25.1943
Dear Diary, James gave me a beautiful blue formal for Christmas. I”™m wearing it to a dance soon.
Wednesday December 29.1943 NEWSREEL: Time magazine selects Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall as its choice for Man of the Year for transforming the U.S. into “the world”™s most effective military power.”

A Bible and a Prayer for One in the Service, May God Bless and Protect You May God always be with you and guide you from above To give you faith and courage As you serve the land we love. May he shield and protect you with his every loving care As you bravely face the danger that confronts us everywhere.

Hello James, Well we finally received a letter from AraBelle but so sorry she is still very sick. It just a shame and I know what a strain it has been on you, but she just must get well, for I just live for the day you two will be coming home to us. Say James, next time you go see her take a bottle of grape juice as that was always her favorite and it seemed like that was one thing that always agreed with her. Her letters do not state much about herself. Mostly about you how good you are to her and James you will never know how much that means to us. Well my dear, write and tell us what they seem to think is wrong with her. Love, Mother PS -I”™ll write you a letter in a few days.