Monday afternoon-

13 Aug 1946

Dearest Elizabeth,

Here I am trying to live up to my promise and write as often as possible. Only hope you don’t let me down on that end. A letter is poor substitute for you, but it’s all I can have now, so please write often. I miss you so very much.

I went up to High Point yesterday afternoon as I told you. And incidentally, talking to you yesterday was wonderful just like a tonic for my aching heart. Getting back to my trip yesterday, I found the college practically deserted. There were a couple or so there going to summer school, but the C.T.D. was done away with last year. It certainly was a funny feeling though, and brought back a lot of memories. I called the coach and went out to see him for awhile. He has stopped coaching at the school and is now the athletic and recreation supervisor at a large tobacco company in Winston Salem. We chatted awhile and then I walked downtown to look it over. I found everything just like I left it. I was going to see the movie, “The Enchanted Cottage”, but they didn’t have but two shows a day, one in the afternoon and the next at 8:30 P.M. I wanted to get back early so I didn’t stay.

They have dances at the officers’ club here every night, and it is really a nice club. It looks just like a night club on the inside with a large dance floor and lots of tables with bright colored tablecloths, and colored waiters. They have a band every night and hostesses from Greensboro. However, all I’ve done is sit there and drink beer and listen to the music. Honestly Darling, I don’t even care to dance with anyone else. Ant this recreation program doesn’t interest me at all.

Darling, those thirty days at home with you were beyond all doubt, the happiest days of my life. It was such a blow that they had to end so soon. That week at the beach, being with you so constantly, was out of this world. I try to keep myself from thinking about it, but it’s no use. I have the lighter which I’m always using and they remind me of those days. When I think about it too much, though, I get in an awfully depressed mood. I can see only one cure, and that is for us to be married as soon as possible.

I took my physical this morning and found that I’m still alive. However, my eyesight is even worse than it was. I have a line 20/20 in my left eye, but I couldn’t read the 20/20 line at all with the right one. I guess I need some glasses. Anyhow, they passed me through with flying colors so I’m still on flying status. I will probably get my records interviewed tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if I’m sent out West to a bombardier school for a refresher course. I understand that that is what is happening to most of the bombardiers and also the navigators.

The pilot I flew home with just dropped into the barracks. He drove down from South Dakota and brought his wife with him. I said that he was offered a discharge before he went to leave, but turned it down. Now he says he’ll accept it on the next go around.

I was at the club last night when the false broadcast came through that the war was over. You should have heard the yelling, whistling and shouting (and drinking) that went on. Then the denial was announced and everyone booed. I guess it’s bound to be over pretty soon, though.

Well, Darling, I guess that’s all for this time. And don’t call it a short letter. I still am not sure about this weekend but I will let you know. Until then I will be missing you more than words can tell and loving you with all my heart.

All my love forever,

Jimmy