Dalhart AAB, Texas
My dearest Terry,
I just got back from a flight after a day off. I picked up
your letter at the flight line and read it on the way back to my room. There’s
nothing that could raise my spirits more after a long trip than to read a
letter from my darling.
While I was in Amarillo on pass, I made a vow to you in the
form of a little package. I hope you have secured it by now, if you haven’t as
yet, it should be there soon. With it goes my heart felt feelings and sincere
love for you – I hope you’ll like it when you do get it. Let it serve as a
monument of our love, as a symbol of faith and admiration we have for each
other. Won’t you try to see the sparkle as a voice saying “I love you”?
Darling, you don’t think I’d kid you about your exercising,
do you? I wouldn’t do a thing like that, or would I? I guess my razzing worked
because an apparent use came out of your last letter. I’ve found your weak
spot, at least temporarily. Seriously, I’m glad to hear you’re keeping yourself
in good shape. That’s more than I can do. I haven’t had any physical training
since I left navigation school – either too tired or else there’s no time for
it. But I guess I get heat up enough flying in these fortresses.
I received your picture, sweet, and it’s darn nice – talk
about being revealing and alluring or need I say more? It’s a swell picture of
you, makes me feel all the worse because you can’t be with me – we can’t be
together!
Not mentioning any dates or destinations – but, we’ll be
pulling out soon – the time is drawing closer when all this work we’ve been
doing gets tested for it’s endurance and strength. I have all the confidence in
the world that we (our crew) will make good. We’ll do our part well – as long
as we’re able to – and whatever happens, good or bad, will be out of our
control. As long as there are planes left. As long as we’re able to take off –
we’ll be there, in place, in formation.
Naturally, I’ll be thinking of you a lot. Especially in
between missions when time drags and corny jokes just don’t do good any more.
One has a lot of time to think during these rests, think about things that
could be or could have been. That’s why I don’t mind flying a lot, get it over
with – it’s the waiting that’s hard. Those days or maybe weeks that leaves you
looking at nothing, doing nothing. Just listening for the call, or watching for
the notice.
There are so many things that have to be done before we can
go back to our way of living. I’m anxious to get them done so that the time
will come sooner when we can go strolling down the avenue, listening to all
that good clean noise and looking at happy faces, really happy. I mean – and at
each other.
I’m sorry if I sound morbid. I really don’t feel that way,
rather I don’t feel as bad as it may seem. Strangely enough I’m happy at what
I’m doing. As happy as the circumstances will allow. I raise hell when I have
time, and work hard when I’m working. There are always places for laughing – we
do a lot of that. I’m in with a good bunch of fellas! They’re really a happy
lot, and there’s always room for a razzing or a situation that’s funny only
because of it’s complete hopelessness.
Liquor is a problem. Once in a while I get on the right side
of a dealer and manage to squeeze out a few quarts of good scotch. That’s
seldom, however, and good whiskey is a thing of the past, just something we
vaguely remember.
Terry, darling, I’m glad everything is going smoothly with
you and your folks. My mom says that you’re just tops with her. She likes you a
lot – but I can’t blame her. In fact, everyone likes you – so I’m told, and
they all think I’m a lucky guy. What do I think? I didn’t think it was possible
to meet a girl like you, but I see now where it is.
My love and my dreams are all for you. Darling, I do love
you – until later, then I’ll love you more.
Always,
Jim
