8:00 A.M. Sun.

Dear Elaine, Stanley and Karen,  ^[1]Elaine Cartmell Hughey is Tom’s older sister, and Stanley Hughey is her husband. Their first child, Karen, was a year old at this time.

I thought I would start this letter now but it might be sometime before I get it finished. They have really been keeping us busy. Last night I finally got a chance to take a bath. If they keep us as busy every day as they did yesterday you won’t be able to expect many letters from me but that doesn’t mean I am not expecting them from you.^[2]Tom has just arrived at the Fresno Basic Training Center following his induction into the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Yesterday morning I’ve got in about 9:00 and spent the rest of the morning getting our equipment. Everything from a gas mask to a toothbrush and I mean everything. In the afternoon we drilled till 4:30 and then had to get situated. Last night we had a lecture on military laws, etc. They told us our outgoing mail wouldn’t be opened but to keep our mouth shut on certain matters so in case they would look I better not say how many are here, but it is pretty large.

I don’t think I will be here for much over two weeks but you can’t tell.

All the fellows here are college men from Wis., Ill, and NU.^[3]Tom attended Northwestern University (NU) from 1941 until his enlistment in 1943. There has been a lot of discussion over last night’s game between NU and U of Ill. It certainly seems funny when I think of having planned to see that game and then be 2500 mi. away at the time.

Write me all the news about your trip home ^[4]I don’t know what trip he’s referring to. and how things went and how you made it back?

My address is at bottom and front.

I had better close this letter now so I will be sure of mailing it.

Write soon.

Love, Tom

PVT. Tom Cartmell
799 TSS BTC #8
Barracks #174
Flight 72A
Fresno, Calif.