Dear Dad,
I am really sorry that I have neglected you in my letter writing but we have been getting off for the last few days and everyone thought that they might as well go out when they had the chance. I guess Elaine told you that I had called her and also about the accident I had with Perk’s car. fNo one was hurt but the right front fender and grill was mashed. Mr. Perk was really swell about it and the insurance company is taking care of things, he had full coverage. We haven’t heard any more about it so I guess things are OK. There was another cadet with me and the other car was a convertible and there was a boy about 22 and his girl in it.
I think we leave for Gila Bend this Sat. The first bunch returned from there yesterday. They say it is really alot of fun and something new. Anything goes and they have the instruments and stuff taken out so that they are lighter and not so dangerous near the ground. You do alot of low flying down there. They had one accident, a mid air collision, the instructor got out with a broken back but the cadet in the other plane they think was killed on impact. It seems that a mid air crash is the most feared accident a pilot knows. However, here is one pilot that fears those blind corners of Phoenix alot more.
Elaine said that you got your train reservations changed OK. I have you a room at the San Carlos for the night of the 14th + 15th. If this is the right nights let me know pretty soon. It doesn’t seem possible that it is only a couple of weeks off. There is something I wish you would do for me and that is get about $100.00 out of my account at home and bring it to me when you come. I don’t know if I will need it but there is alot of stuff that we have to get before they pay us out $250.00 but I might need some more on my ticket. Don’t give me this yourself because I would like to keep things sort of on my own. If I have to sign a check send me one.
I wanted to ask you; was Grandma, Grandpa C. + Grandpa, Grandma D. all born in this country? We had to know this for some papers and I thought they all were.
We don’t get off the night before graduation but they are having a dance out here and you folks will be able to get on the post about any time you want to.
I have been doing some figuring, you better send me $50.00 before you come because I am going to have to get my tickets before we get paid.
See you in a couple of weeks.
Love,
Tom
