Didn't I tell you we'd start getting details? Well, Wednesday we go on guard duty. Since that is my night to write to you (I try to write every other day) I may not be able to. I got four letters today: you, auntie Eve, Son, and the school paper. I sent my shoes home. Maybe dad can wear them, they're too small for me, besides, I can't keep them for they're not plain enough. Do not send me anything unless it's strictly G.I. The plain sox - no ribs. I could use some pictures of you and Pa. See if you can't find some in our albums. I can't get mine taken until I get off the post. By then I'll have my cadet clothes.

Sunday I was on latrine detail and we had to prepare for inspection just like week days. We didn't have to get up until 8 AM at least. We drilled an hour before chow and then after chow we were free to stay in the barracks until 3:30 when we had review. Boy, it sure was thrilling. There were about 10,000 men on the field and lots of civilians watching. We marched by the reviewing stand and there was a classic band. So it was very impressive. I wrote four letters yesterday and I thought I'd get at least eight written.

Today was some day. First we went to a movie on military information so from now on my letters won't be so detailed. After the show we went through the gas chamber and they made us take off our masks again. After chow we went on a 3 and a half mile hike. We wore fatigues and gas masks. We hiked along a road and all of a sudden a truck came wizzing past spraying us with gas. Boy we sure did put on our masks in a hurry. This happened twice. Nothing of interest happened on the way back except I got a sunburned face. We got back an hour before retreat so we had plenty of time to make it. Now I'll try and answer some of your questions.

First, I still don't believe you should come to see me until I leave here. I'm only going to be here about 72 days and 42 of them I am confined to the post. I'll be moved so you could come sometime in August. I'll probably be sent to Ariz., N.M. or back to Texas. It won't be so far and consequently not so expensive. As for flying, I sure do like it. But as I told you I won't get any more until I get to basic. Missing my check ride doesn't mean anything except one less hour of flying time. I believe I also told you I'd become a cadet when I get classified. When we get classified you are moved to a different squadron. All the pilots are in one, the navigators in another and the Bombardiers in still another. We went through the Mohave Desert in the afternoon and was it hot. Nothing but clumps of turf and big cactus. The cactus was from 4 to 10 feet high. We passed within 64 miles of the grand canyon. Well that's enough for tonight. I have to take a shower and shine my shoes for we have a standby inspection in the morning.

Love,
Rae