December 21, 1942 – I’ve Put In My First Week (Flight School)

Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

Today is my day off and it sure seems good to have a little time to myself even though I can’t go anywhere. It is a miserable day so it is just as well.

I’m going to enclose a money order for $40 and send it sometime today when I can get down to the post office. I see no sense in my carrying around $75 in my pocket when I have no place to spend it. So it might just as well go in the bank and draw a little interest for me. I signed the payroll the other day so I should get paid again around the first of the month. I’m leaving myself about $35 and that should be plenty. While on the subject of finance, how does my bank account stand now? I’ve lost track and would like to know. The Christmas presents will deplete it a little so I’d like to know its state.

Here it is only four days away from Christmas and I can’t really believe it. The weather is like summer and there is no Christmas spirit in the air. It will be a sad day I’m afraid this year. We get the day off but it won’t be like the ones I used to know. I know you feel the same way and there are millions like us. It is really too bad but the war has to be won so that in the future perhaps we can have future Christmas’s in peace. I’m going to telegraph you on Christmas to express my wishes. I’d like to phone but I’m afraid it would take too long. However on that day I really will be with you if only in spirit.

I’ll be glad when I get out of pre-flight school and start in actual flying. This isn’t really bad but I’d like to learn how to fly and get this work behind me. Then my life will be more interesting. I’m going through the hardest part as far as discipline is concerned and I will be glad when it is over. You can understand that! It won’t be long now. I’ve put in my first week.

Yesterday I sent you a copy of a paper they put out around here. It is rather good and if you read it you will find a fairly good description of the life I lead.

Our physical training program is really doing me good. Yesterday I ran almost 2 miles and didn’t feel it at all. In a few more weeks I’ll be in wonderful condition. I was really surprised at the condition I was in. I did a lot more than I thought I could do. I guess it must be because I’ve been living a regular life.

What is matter with Sweetheart, is it getting too cold for her? I figured you would shelf her but not until the license ran out. I can remember the trouble I had with the battery last winter. I guess she has seen better days. She will have to do for me after the war as I want to go to school and I won’t be able to afford a new car. Whenever that will be I don’t know but I’m looking forward to it.

I received your letter of Tuesday and enjoyed it very much. You people seem much happier since you’ve been there and I can understand why. You deserve it and I’m glad for your sake.

That’s all for now. I’ll write when I can get a chance again.

Love
Bob

December 19, 1942 – Congo

 Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I neglected to write last night simply because I didn’t have the time.  I had to study and I couldn’t find time at all.  Tonight I have a little extra time as I’m all caught up on my studies.  There is a lot of fun going on around here now as it is the time for the hazing.  This part of it is fun as it takes quite a few humorous twists.  Tonight, I played drums on the footlocker with a congo beat while the rest of the underclassmen form a congo line.  Things like that are fun and you enjoy it.  However there are parts of this that are a lot of baloney and get on your nerves.  However, I’m holding up under it pretty well.

On my table sits my new radio and my old friend Martin Block is on the hit parade.  It sure makes me homesick.  Every time I hear the radio I think of you and how nice a present it was even though I don’t get much chance to listen to it now.  I will though in the future.

Speaking of presents I received a very nice one today from the Service men’s Auxiliary.  They sent me a very nice wallet and believe me it will come in handy as I needed one.  I haven’t had a new one in about 3 years and naturally the old one was rather beaten up.  My main problem will be to find time to write a letter of thanks.

On Monday we get open bill.  That is our one day off during the week.  The upper classmen have open post and we have the day off but can’t go out.  Also we are going to get Xmas day off so that will be 2 days off next week.  I guess Xmas will be sad but it can’t be helped.  I’d love to be home for the holiday but I have a job to do here so here I must be.  Maybe next Xmas will be different.

If you can find an old athletic supporter around the house send it to me.  I need one for Physical trg – and you can’t buy them anymore.  They are getting me in good shape in a hurry.  I signed up to play on our squadron basketball team so maybe I’ll see some action in that a little later on.  I played a little today and it felt good.

That’s all for now.

Love
Bob