May 21, 1942 - "...it is wonderful to have folks like you."

Thursday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Both of your letters received plus the swimming trunks. That 2 bucks sure did come in handy. I was just beginning to wonder what I was going to do. I was flat broke and so is practically everybody I know. As a consequence I could borrow none. I have been smoking a pipe for about four days and it was just about killing me. I can’t smoke one for more than a day without it running my tongue. You saved me from being a tongueless soldier boy. Seriously though, I really appreciate all you are doing for me. I know you have a hard row to hoe and it makes me feel good to know you would make sacrifices for me. About the only thing I can say is that it is wonderful to have folks like you. This isn’t at all inspired by the money angle but comes from the shoulder.

I have been pretty busy lately as we are starting in on final exams. You see our course changes next month and that means all new courses. I have two exams today. One I did very well on, the other I messed up a little. I don’t know the marks on them yet but I have a good idea of the mistakes I made. I messed up an Anatomy + Physiology exam slightly. Passing grade is 60 and I figure I got around 78. I slipped on a few foolish mistakes. My average is still above 90 and I haven’t come close to flunking anything yet.

I met two girls the other night and a friend and I expect to go out Saturday nite. They live on the hospital reservation. There father is an officer in camp and has one of the many private homes. Convenient isn’t it.

I went swimming in our pool the other night. It is a very nice pool and I enjoyed it. I’m going up tonight to cool off. It has been on scorcher of a day and I need it. The sweat is poring off me just relaxing writing this letter and I have nothing except a pair of shorts.

I guess I’ll quit now and go swimming. I’ll write again soon.

Love Bob