Dear Mother, Dad and Jocie,
We just finished our daily physical workout-it was a honey. I chinned myself more times than anyone in the squadron. Our physical instructor took my name down and congratulated me. Every time your name is entered in their book that means you will get an excellent physical rating-which means a lot for a pilot.
I cleaned my rifle for almost 2 hours last night-I took everything apart including my barrel and bolt. Our CO is really strict as to the care of our rifles. It is so hard to keep the rifle clean out here because of the dust. That dust is on everything and everywhere. During our mile run each day I bet I swallow about a pound of that dust.
I saw Eric yesterday and had quite a talk with him. He’s getting along well, so he says and he gives you all his love. Seeing that we are in different squadrons we don’t get much chance to see each other. Our school schedules are always different. This week we have our classes during the day and Eric has his at night. So it’s pretty darn hard to get together. I am certainly glad I have made such fine friends as Don Parmelee and Pete. We three room together and we really make the best of this army life together.
Dad wrote and told me that he went through Alexandria Minnesota last week. That’s Bud Peterson’s hometown you know. Bud wanted to know if the next time he was down that way if he would look up his Dad, H. N. Peterson (superintendent of schools), he’s quite a man in Alexandria I guess. Anyway Bud would like them to see each other. Bud and I are the best of friends and maybe our dads could get together.
Well, darlings, we leave for classes in a few minutes so I will have to sign off.
Loads of love,
Jim