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