Wednesday May 12, 1943
Dearest Mom:
Your boy is really a long way from home and I ain’t kidding one little bit. We were on the train for 76 hours straight and we arrived here at 2:30 A.M. and they started us out filling out blanks, we did not get to bed until about 4:00 A.M. and I mean we were tired.
It is swell
out here though, we get fine food, have nice barracks and the weather is
wonderful, it has
We are confined for two weeks and that means that we can’t go but 200’ from our barracks and they seem to mean business about it. We are going to turn in some of the stuff that only privates are supposed to have and we will get more clothing of a higher grade.
I don’t know exactly when but we will begin our classification tests sometime soon and they will determine whether I will be a pilot or what not.
Mom, I don’t expect to be back East for about a year at least. When you once get sent to the west coast you generally stay out there until you finish your training.
It is really tough here but that is the way I like it to be, you appreciate things more when you really have to put out to get them. We are right on the threshold of something really swell. Cadet life is just plain elegant. We are going to get those swell looking Cadet caps just as soon as we are all classified and assigned to a school to start our training.
I would be completely happy if I could just walk down Peachtree once more and not have to be any place at any certain time.
Mom, Anne and I had our picture made together just before I left and I should get the proofs sometime next week, if they are good I will send my home for you to keep for me.
That snapshot I sent you did not do her justice as you will see someday when you meet her in person. Mom, don’t forget to send me Carley’s address so I can get in touch with him. That would be nice to see him again.
Mom, I will be closing for now but I will be dropping you a line just as often as I can.
Don’t worry and keep smiling.
Your loving son,
Roy