In this letter Bill announced that they received PX Supplies1 and 6 bottles of beer. They spent Christmas Eve play Hearts until the 9:00PM blackout. Bill comments on the tragedy in Europe, and in doing so maybe he is thinking of his cousins, aunts and uncles. Certainly his parents are thinking of their brothers, sisters and parents. He ends on a note suggesting he is home sick.
- “PX supplies” refer to items available at a Post Exchange (PX), which was a type of retail store run by the military to provide American soldiers with essential goods and comforts while stationed away from home. During World War II in the Philippines, PX supplies were highly valued because they provided items that were otherwise difficult to obtain. Common PX Supplies included: Food and Snacks (Chocolates, canned goods, coffee, chewing gum, and cigarettes); Toiletries (Soap, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, and deodorant); Clothing and Gear (Socks, undershirts, and other essentials); Luxuries (Alcohol, magazines, playing cards, and occasionally small gifts or trinkets); Medical Supplies (Bandages, aspirin, and other over-the-counter medications)
In the Philippines during WWII, PX supplies were not only essential for soldiers but also highly sought after by locals and guerrilla fighters. Supplies like food and cigarettes were often bartered or gifted to foster goodwill or support from the local population. PX items symbolized relative luxury in the harsh conditions of wartime.
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