Dear Mom & Pop:

I received the box yesterday as I was most pleasant surprise when I opened it. The cookies, cake, candy, sox, and handkerchiefs were very welcome. Honestly Mom, it was like part of home when I opened the box. I hadn’t had much of the Christmas spirit up until then. Thanks a million to all of you, it was really swell of you to fix me up so.

Mom, I received the pen and it works like a dream. It writes fine as wine. I am writing this letter with it and I couldn’t ask for a pen to write better. Thank you Mom and Pop. You’re really swell to me.

Well, I have finished two weeks here and there is only seven more to go. Sure hope I can make it. The actual flying here is not so hard, but we have lots of instrument flying to do. As I have told you before, you fly the plane purely by instruments with no visual reference to the ground. It’s not easy but maybe I will make it. Time will tell anyway.

I got a letter from Bob, he must still be in California, he did not mention coming to Arizona. I hope he doesn’t for his sake, there is nothing here for anyone. This is undoubtedly the worst state in the nation, I don’t see why they ever took is away from the Indians.

My cold is so much better, I can consider it cured. Those sulpha pills work wonders on disease, it is amazing. I guess I will live.

I now have all my uniforms, except cap and poplin shirts and insignia. They really cost, but I can pay for it all out of the $250 that they give us and I’ll probably have enough to come home on.

Mom, don’t be too disappointed if I can’t make it home, it will all depend on where my next station will be. If it is in California I don’t know whether I can make it or not. There will be lots of kick connected with me getter a ride on a bomber.

Here is what I think I will do, I think I will go to Albuquerque, N.M. which is the terminal for east-west cross-country flights and I will beat it up there and hope for a plane going east. I may be able to catch a ride. If I can’t I won’t be any worst off. I can simply catch a train and come on in on it. The only difference is that by air I will have more time at home. I can’t write anything definite yet because we are not certain we will get any leave and we don’t know where we will have to report after we are commissioned. The way we have it figured, I’m 1600 miles from Atlanta, as the crow flies.

If I have to come home by train, it will take me two or three days at least and that’s not good. It won’t be worth while to come home for a day or two.

Let’s not worry about it Mom, if I can possibly make it home, I’ll straight do it.

So for now, so long for awhile.

Love,

Roy

P.S. Mom and Pop:-

As you know, I have not had time to do any Christmas shopping as I have been in quarantine, so I am sending you and Pop a little remembrance.

Merry Christmas to you all-

I’ll be with you in spirit this year-