Apr 19 1943

Monday Morn.

Dearest Mom:

Reckon you have been wondering what has happened to your boy Roy. Well, I’ll see if I can make up, in part, for the delay by writing to you a long, long letter and telling you about everything.

Mom, believe me, I really enjoyed your visit, it was like coming home again. It would have been complete if Pap could have come along too. I am pretty certain that I won’t be home for pretty nearly a year and any time you think you can come to see me, don’t wait, just hop on a train. I am sorry that I could not be with you any longer than than I was, but we all thought we would be leaving before now but as we won’t be told til we are ready to pull out we can’t say when we will leave.

If I had just known, you could have come this week-end and really had a nice stay. We were off until 9:00 P.M. Sunday and I did not have to fly this Sunday. I was with Anne al day. We we on a picnic out at Lake Decatur and had a swell time. Anyway, the main thing is, that I got to see you and Ben and that was good.

Mother, I have had 5 hrs. flying so far and I love it. It is really wonderful, you sorta discover an entirely new world for yourself when you learn to fly. I am going to have you all flying when the war is over because I am going to own a plane. Mom, you would not be afraid if you ever went up once.

You no doubt remember me speaking of Anne when you were here. Well, I have some several things to tell you about her. You know how you used to tell me that I would find the right girl some-day. Well, I think that day has arrived, I have found her at last.

Mom, you would love her if you knew her, I wish you could have met her. She is a little like “Bee” only sweeter. I am glad I did not do so good with her. Annie is just what I have been looking for. We get along swell together. By the way, her full name is Jo Anne Pilcher, she is 5’2” and weighs 106 pounds. She has brown eyes and hair about the color of mine. She can really arrange it pretty too.

You know Mom, up to now the situation has always been one-sided. I generally did all the liking and getting left out, but Anne is in love with me too. Can you imagine something like that happening to me? It really makes you feel good to have someone counting on you and someone who is concerned about you all the time. Mom, this girl is going to be your daughter someday. I have made up my mind to marry her if she’ll have me. Now sit back down, not right-a-way of course but when the world gets right again or maybe before, what-ever she decides.

There is only one hitch, she has been going with this fellow for three years and she does not want to hurt him anymore than she can help. I will keep you posted on how things are coming along.

If I am here next Sat. we are going to have a picture made together and I will get her to send you one if I have gone before they are ready.

You know, it is hard for me to believe that I could feel like I do about her, it is even different from how I thought of “Bee”. Mom, I think this is the real thing. Write me and give me some advice Mom. I need it. I have never had ideas like this before and I am a little mixed up about it.

I am certain of this, she is the girl that I have been looking for and I am really going to hag on to her. Maybe you will get to meet her before long. When I get to Texas, maybe both of you can come to see me. Her pap works for the Rail-road too and I guess she can get passes.

I know one thing, I sure hate to leave her and I imagine that is a pretty sure sign. I don’t need any sign though I know I’ve got it bad this time.

Mom, it is time for chow so I will close for this time.

Write often-

Love to all,

Roy