Dear Dad and Cleda,

Well this is it – and I did want to drop you a line before leaving.

I have been pretty busy the last few days, however Andy, Mort and I did go up to Merced Mon. We were trying to find Allen Carter, you remember the boy Mort and I graduated with at Luke. He had left Merced last Oct. to go into the troop carrier command so we didn’t have much luck. We did get to see Ted Lewis and his band which helped out on the trip.

I have been having quite a time packing. Everytime I thought I am about through I’d find something else. All our baggage was sent out this morning and I think I got everything in. I had my B4 bag, that one Mort and I got in Phoenix, and big parachute bag, and the new leather bag Zoe gave me. All of them are jammed.

My battle jacket came and it is really swell. They are alot more comfortable than a blouse. Uncle Leslie didn’t my bill so when you write you might ask about it. Tell him to let me know and I’ll send the money.

Well I want to drop Elaines’ a letter so will sign off. There might be a period of a couple of weeks when you won’t get any letters but don’t think anything of it as that is alot of times the case. I’ll write as much as possible.

With love,

Tom