Dear Dad,


I never realized until today how much out of condition I really am. Lately I've been taking every intense physical training and at this moment my muscles are plenty sore. But in a few days this will work out and everything will be O.K. At 7:30 we start our "P.T." (physical training) morning session, which lasts until 9:00. During this period we have calisthenics and run about two miles. On my first two mile run, I didn't do very well. But today I was right up with the leader the entire distance. I had no trouble with my wind, but my legs started to give out. I wanted to keep on running but my sore muscles in my legs just wouldn't respond to any impulse.

I sure am watching "them aeroplanes." The sky overhead is just black with planes of all types - fortresses, liberators, pursuits, etc. It's a real thrill to see a squadron of planes "peel off" overhead.

If anything exciting happens to the river, give me the low down on it. It seems like a year since I have seen any rain. And the funny part of it is that this is considered to be the rainy season down here. I wonder what the dry season is like.

I forgot to tell you about the rest of my P.T. We have a two hour afternoon session also. A run and then we play some sort of a game. I'm developing quite an interest in basketball. It's one of the fastest games that I ever played.

Dick hasn't left as yet. But, in a few days he will pull out for the ground crew. At least he will miss all of the P.T. I've seen quite a bit of Charles lately. He is out of quarantine and is permitted to visit my squadron. He certainly looks fine.

You would be surprised at the potency of this Texas sun. Ten minutes in it and you have a sun burn. I took the sun easy and have developed a nice tan.

Also, in our daily schedule, we have 3 hours of drill. I'm doing quite well in this because of previous training in R.O.T.C.

I've run out of time and words, so...

Love,
Jack

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