May 24, 1943 2000

US Navy Flight Prepatory School

Dear Folks,

  Did you think I forgot you? No I didn't, not for the least. The last few nights I have been trying  to catch up on my mail and succeeded, believe it or not.
  About the best news I have to report is that I passed all my tests for the first week. The fun is only starting, but I think I can make the course.
  Sunday I enjoyed the life of Riley. I was up about 0930, cleaned up the room a little and then went off with a crowd of fellows to the 11 o'clock Mass. They hasve a priest up here that makes Father Lineback look sick as far as talking goes. The only difference is that this priest isn't quite as boring. It seems they are always asking for money for something or anotherand the dollar bills really flood in the basket.
  You know I have been thinking. Remember I asked you to have another picture made up. If you haven't sent the order out yet I thought I would have my picture taken up here in Troy and have a couple of prints made up. If you have sent the order in, it doesn't make any difference. I will still have my picture tooken.
  Well, as I was saying about Sunday, before I so roudly interrupted myself, Cadet Chellis didn't do a stitchof work. After mass, I came back just in time for chow. What a lunch, soup, roast veal, peas, corn and ice cream. You poor civilians!
  After chow, I came back to my barracks and put on some old clothes. I don't think you can see the beautiful grass plot that is out in front of the dorm. The dear little boy (that's me) stretched a blanket out on the grass and gently place his tired body down to rest. There I lied, with the hot sun's rays beating down and a radio playing soothing melodies, to help pass the day.
  Finally after my body was full of good old vitamin D, I dragged my body upstairs and wrote a few letters.
  Chow was as 1730, so Cadet Chellis again fed his face. Oh! you por civilians.
  Sunday night didn't too much but sit around talking over the world situation with the boys.
  It would do your heart good to see me dusting, sweeping, and making beds. Everyone prays during inspection that the Officer of the Day doesn't look under the beds and see the dirt we deposited there. You know we were jerks at first. Whenever we made the beds, we always cleared the sheet of all wrinkles. They were like glass. Now, we veterens throw the sheets on any old way and put the blanket on very tight. Boy, everything looks the nuts then. Wouldn't we be up the creek without a paddle if he ever decided to inspect the bed properly? I guess that's the chance you take. Straightening out those sheets is a pain in the neck.
  I was just trying to figure out a problem in Navigation. I only hope I never get lost. Then I would really be in trouble. You have to know all of Einsteins theories to fly a plane.
  Laundry collection is tommorrow so I think I had better close now.
                                 Your loving son, brother, nephew and cousin,
                                                                                      Jim