October 31, 1943

Dear Mom,

Thank you very much for the graduation gift. It's just the thing I needed. You should be the one that's getting the money from me. An $18.75 War Bond is being sent to you every month since last April.

Here's hoping that I'll be home before you have a chance to even thing of answering this letter. We graduate on the third, get our order on the forth and leave on the fifth if everything goes alright.

They told me that I'm to be a Second Lt., but they can change that to a flight officer any time they like before graduation.

Our scholastic records for the class were posted. I'm not bragging by my average was the highest, 97%. Not bad, not good.

We have to have a certain number of hours in acrobatics so I went up this morning and finished them up. After this thing is over Mom, I'll teach you and the whole family to fly; then you can of see Grandma and Angus anytime at all.

When I think about how we travel anywhere from 600 to 1000 miles every afternoon going no place, it certainly would make a grand trip stretched out in a straight line.

You and Pop better be feeling alright when I get home so what we can stay up all night and celebrate.

Even if it is against Army regulation, you can have the first pair of "Wings" that they pin on me.

It will be great if Charlie and "Moe" get home for a few days. I sure would like to see them again. Just think, it's almost a whole year since the day I took the exam to get into the Cadets.

Now I'll be able to go over and settle this argument and then come home and enjoy the rest of my "Bachelor Days" in peace.

My plane reservations were canceled for the fifth, so I'll be a day or two late, maybe more if I have to take a train. This racket on transportation is really rugged. One of the boys had his mother come down from New Jersey and she stood up all the way down here. Imagine that, three whole days and not even a gentleman to be found. It's just a case of every man for himself.

Actually, as far as graduation exercises are concerned, there's nothing to be seen. We all go to the Post Theater where we get a short talk from the Colonel and then our instructor pins our Wings on. The whole deal only takes about an hour. After the graduation, all the boys make a mad dash for the barracks to get all spiffed out in their new clothes.

Down here we're allowed to have guests for dinner but all you would get would be a slice of minced ham (rare stuff), a slice of cheese and some potato salad. That tops off the graduation. That same night we have a  dance but it doesn't about to too much.

The big thrill is the fact that you've made the last grade and you're a flying officer.

The next best thing for me to do is to take a bus to San Antonio and haunt the airports until I can get a ride out.

Love & Kisses As ever,

Al