Dear folks:
Had a nice letter from Mom today so before the show maybe I can answer it. I could tell in your letter how relieved you were and the end of the war made me think of your relief more than mine.
We are sitting around living from day to day for our orders to come through. I think it will be very soon and I’m hoping I can be lucky enough to fly back two days that way, and 18 by boat. I wish I could tell you definitely but we don’t know that. Dick has gone to Tokyo. He was looking forward to it. He flew. It will be quite an experience and he will probably get back fairly soon. He will have plenty to tell you on his return. There’s no need telling you how great my anticipation is after four years. Nancy grown, Phil engaged, Katie married with a child, besides all the other changes around town. And how I’m going to enjoy being lazy around the house. I know you know how I feel. Had a letter from Gladys Johnson, formerly Gladys Davis and she says by all means go back to school and take the room I had lived in. She says her mother has been waiting four years for me to be back in my room. If I get back by the middle of October I’ll have a good stay at home before going to Lincoln [to go to college]. But I’ll have to get a lot of new clothes first. I can use the three hundred [dollars] I get on discharge for that.
Here on the island, Jap officers and enlisted men are roaming around the hills getting what Japs remain to surrender. But I’m in no danger. Our area is a big one like a city, not isolated like in combat. And of course I’m being careful and making sure I’ll get back. And I pray plenty for that and thank God we have been so fortunate. Dick has told me he prayed plenty. That time he was pinned down for four hours while the Japs tried to get him, he knew he was going to die and wished they’d hurry up and kill him. He’s had some close ones. But it has affected him and you’ll be proud of him when he gets back.
Well, it’s about time to go to the show. If you don’t hear from me for a week, don’t write any more because I’ll be on my way. But I’ll write at least that often until I leave.
Love,
