September 26, 1943

Dear Mom, Pop, Mary, Jerry and Mat,
    Sunday again and more letter writing. During the past week I received letters from Mom, Pop, and Jerry, also the package of clothes and food. It certainly is a life saver to have a little something between meals.
   This morning Jack Burns, Bob Condon and myself received permission to miss breakfast so we could receive Communion. The only time we can go to confession is just before Mass. After coming out of the sacristy, we walked down the aisle and sat in the first empty seats we saw. We didn't notice it at first but we we sat square in the middle of the children's section. We did feel like jerks. The three of us towered far over all these little brats. I don't know whether it's a law or not but these Mexican kids never grown over four feet. I am not kidding. I have never seen so many small children in all my life. Coming out of church I nearly tripped over a number of them.
   By the way, thanks for the medal Mom. I put it in my jacket.
   I beg to inform you that I received a few demerits yesterday as I was captain of the head (bathroom). Gene was room captain and was restricted over the weekend for un-military like room. What a laugh. You can dust these rooms and an hour later the dirt is just as thick as before.
   Jack Burns, Bob Condon and myself ate breakfast out. On the way back to the school we ran into a gift shop. I mad a few purchases and had them sent out. The lady said they would probably reach New York Friday or Saturday. There isn't much but I will keep looking. Most of the junk was made by Indians, so they say. I can understand that after seeing the number of them that float in and out of Las Vegas. Do you know they dress the same as the cowboy pictures show them? I thought that was Hollywood style but I guess it is the real McCoy.
   I guess you would like to know how I am making out with flying. Swell- I was up for three hours of solo this week. What a time I had. Kick the controls around, the plane goes all over and phew- you slowly bring the ship at straight and level. I always wanted to try a dive so I brought the pane up to 3,000 ft and let loose. Did I go down fast. What a force on you body when you pull out though. It's hard to move. Flying is a lot of fun but it's much more work than I ever realized. Yesterday when I was up, a few miles to the west I could see a  fog rolling in and out of the mountains. What a sight. It looked almost like a wave of water but didn't move quite as fast.
   Most of the boys have recovered from their cases of dysentery. They really had sick bay flooded for a few days there.
   What a time I had on my Shore Patrol last night. The first time it rained and it had to be while I was out. Our duties were to check all the cadets and keep them out of trouble. We travel in pairs and had to go in every gin mill in town, look around and walk out. Luckily we didn't have any trouble but some tough looking characters. I will never talk about New York's east side again.
   I guess there isn't much more to say. I have quite a few letters to write. Last Sunday I hit a new high for writing letters. I wrote no less than nine. I was punchy by the time I sealed the last one.
                                                                   Your Navy boy,
                                                                                   Jim