Dear Mother,

It's just exactly seven o'clock this Sunday night and I just now came back from town. As you know, we have open post Saturday night and Sunday until seven, but we must come back Saturday night to sleep.

I had a date last night with a girl named Mary Jane. It was a blind date, as most dates are around here - that is for the new fellows who don't know anybody in town. Anyway, this girl turned out to be a splitting image of Ruth Sturgeon except that she was smaller. When I called to pick her up, I almost called her Ruth.

We went to a dance hall that the U.S.O. has for cadets. This morning I went to church. I have become quite affiliated with the Lakeside Methodist Church - believe it or not, I'm singing in the choir.

Last Sunday I just happened into the church, but was completely "wrapped up" with that typical hospitality of the southern people. This morning was my first appearance with their choir. And they really have an excellent choir. I practice with them Sunday mornings before the services. I've met some lovely people through the church. Had dinner today with an elderly couple named Crenshaw. Mr. Crenshaw must be a deacon in the church or something like that.

One of the fellows here received a letter from a cadet who went to Oklahoma City for Primary. Seems as though my friend Don Bodiker has washed out - why, I don't know. He went to Okla. City for Primary with about 25 of my old group at pre-flight. We had to fly yesterday, since we were late in arriving here and were behind schedule. My instructor had me "shooting" landings. I think that he is preparing me to solo. A cadet must have 25 landings to his credit to solo and right now I have 18. I made 8 of those yesterday.

So far only two fellows out of our entire class have soloed - both of them had private licenses before joining the Army, so they should be ahead of the rest at this stage of the game.

Right now I have 6 hours and 55 minutes of flying time. You say that I didn't get a letter, or rather a card from Dad, but I insist that I did. In fact, I'll send it to you to prove my point. I really don't know what this is all about, but somebody is pulling a wise trick. Now that I look at the card, it seems that the handwriting resembles someone from Norwood, Ohio. And the general trend of the note on the back doesn't sound exactly like Dad's usual way of expressing himself. Anyway, here's the card - you can draw your own conclusions!

I was just reading your last letter in which you give the reasons that Charles joined the choir at the Baptist Church at Stamford. Well, those reasons are exactly my reasons. There's a girl named Betty that sings soprano in the choir that interests me highly! But, I'm not getting involved - really, a cadet doesn't stay in one place long enough for a fellow to become involved. And the girls just take the cadets as they come through in each class. 44-A is starting to take over Pine Bluff now that 43-K is preparing to leave (what is left of 43-K I should say). Be careful with my "little" sister - evidently the little gal really is growing up! I wonder if Mary Jo will be 16 before she has her first date? That ping pong is dangerous stuff! I should know. But, that's past history in the life and "loves" of J.M.B.

Well, I'm out of time and news right now and have plenty of studying for tomorrow. Planning on seeing you soon.

Lots of love,
Jack

 return to top

  return to primary flight