Dear Folks,
We have been pretty busy the last few days moving into our upper class squadron. I had asked for single engine and got it. Ernie Burgess the boy that stayed at the Perkins and I both got it and were pretty happy about it even if it does mean alittle more work in getting maneuvering worked out alittle better. Ernie and I both have the same instructor and I am afraid he is going to be alittle rough but we won’t be here an awful lot longer and most of the stuff is on your own from here on. Today we took a cross country and I really got to see the San Joaquin Valley even if it was from 5,000′. Only two fellows out of our squadron got lost but they kept radio contact and they were finally found. These radios are a pain the the neck when they don’t work right but usually come in plenty handy. Our trip today covered about 400 miles and we go on one tomorrow of about the same distance. I flew right over the basic training center at Fresno where I was about this time last year. I could even pick out the hut I slept in. It made me feel pretty good. The farthest north we went was to Modesto which is about 125 mi. as the crow flies from here. The navigation wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be but I imagine with poor visibility it would probably cause you to worry alittle.
I received your letters and was really glad to get them and know how things were in Chicago. Cleda, I think I have a pretty good idea of the apartment. It sounds as if you have everything right at your fingertips. I hope not so much so that your breathing space is limited.
Dad, it sounds like you really jumped right into plenty of work. It seems as though the work should be pretty interesting and I imagine it seems swell not being rushed so much. In your letter you said you were enclosing the card again but I guess you must have forgotten it. Send it and I’ll mail it to Ms. McCune.
I am awfully tired tonight but I did want to get a letter off to you folks. For the next few weeks I might not be able to write so much but I’ll do my best. Give the folks at 837 my love. Also, thanks for sending me Steve’s letter. He’s in England, and has been made a Lt. (J.J.) Tell Elaine. Goodnight –
With love,
Tom
