March 20, 1943

Dear Billie,

Well hello Dear. I suppose you are surprised to hear from me at a time like this. But I remembered how you answered my letters so quickly when I was at [Fort] Knox. And also what a sweet girl you were. And I thought I would drop you a line to say hello.

Well to begin with I am in Fort Lewis, Washington and I don’t like it. Boy is this a dead place. No good dances, no good-looking girls. No nothing. Oh how I would like to be back at good old Knox. But that is just one of the impossibilities that I know of. But maybe someday I can return to the Fair City of Louisville and visit all my good friends. Although by the time I get to come back I suppose you and the rest of the girls I knew will be married, gone or dead. So in the mean time I will have to be content with this rat bale called an army post.

Although, we do have lots of beautiful scenery around here, from the steps of my barrack. I can get a beautiful view of the well-known Mt. Rainier and also I have been to Mt. Rainier for a skiing trip. And did I have a wonderful time. Billie that is the prettiest place I have ever seen this side of heaven. Lots of snow, plenty of trees, etc. Also Tacoma, Washington is just 14 miles from the post. While Olympia, the State capital of Washington is 16 miles. And Seattle is only is only 44 miles. I went into Seattle last weekend and looked the city over. And it is built sitting on top of seven mountains. Washington State co-ed college is there too. Boy oh boy! Lots of girls, but are they stuck up. They won’t hardly look at a soldier. I don’t know why. But they don’t. Anyway I was talking about the city of Seattle, it also sets on this Puget Sound water front. And there you can see any kind of a Navy ship you want to see. Big, little, old, and young. Just anything you wish to see you can see it in Seattle.

Well Billie Dear I have just about run out of something to say. So I will close hoping to hear from you real soon!

Lots of Love,

Dusty

P.S. tell my sweet little mama long legs hello for me and both of you please send me a picture of yourselves.