February 18, 1943

Dear Mom,

Here I am at long last at pre-flight school. We came across the road this morning for the next four and a half weeks. These upperclassman really love (excuse me, another upperclassman). He wanted a couple more name tags plastered on my footlocker. As I was saying, they love to rub it in, It reminds me of a bunch of kids playing a game. It would take up the whole book if I was to go into it. The things we do actually amuses me. The hard part of it, we're not allowed laugh until we become upperclassman.  The old saying certainly goes here. He who laughs last laughs loudest. I can't wait but i will.

Tell Bernie, Louise, Joan and the rest of the people that wrote me letter, I thank them sincerely and appreciate their thoughtfulness, but due to unforeseen circumstances I will be unable to answer them. That is just for the present.

You can tell Marie that I'll spank her if she brings that letter to school. That is if she isn't too big when I see her again. So help me I'll never write to her another letter.

Loads of love to you and all, As ever

"The Student"

PS - Here's the new address A.C. Albert E McKinley 882 P.T.S. (Pilot) Group 9 Squadron 2 Flight A San Antonio, Texas