Wendover Field

Dearest Donna:

Tonight I received the letter I have been waiting for all my life. And believe me, Donna, it has really made me feel as though I could go out and lick the world single handed.

I wanted to ask you about it in Salt Lake when I took you home Sat. night, and when we went for a walk around the capital grounds, but there just weren’t any words for me to use. It was one of those moments that seem to come once in every young mans life, and I am certain that this is my time. Maybe we should wait until the war is over. That would be true if it looked like I may have to go over, but even then it would mean so much to know that someone was home, in your own home, waiting for you. It would seem to be so much more to come home for when it was all over. But if the present plans mature, it would be so nice to have you with me. I’ll admin that there has been no one who has swore on a stack of bibles that I never would go over, but someone has to stay behind to train the combat crews. If we are to be that type of group it will be very nice, if not, well everyone has to do his part, and do it the best he knows how. The rumor that started today is that we will have to stay here for another month before we are ready for our third phase of our training. I’m not crazy about staying here over time like that. It could turn out that we would follow the outfit that was here. They are in the east coast now, awaiting orders to overseas. If we do ever go over, I hope we never have to go like they did: not trained enough for combat, nor are we as yet. But I would rather look to the brighter side of life. You and I. The future we can’t change, but we can make it a lot nicer in a lot of ways.

I don’t need to say that I am really looking forward to your letter when you tell me what you have decided. I want to say that I am entirely sure of myself, by that I mean I wouldn’t attempt to say “Oh, she’ll say yes” because that would have a tendency towards being conceited. Instead I’ll say that way down deep in my heart. I feel that this is it. That this is what I have waited for, and that I am going to do all in my power to keep the faith that you now have in me, and strive to build that faith to its ultimate top.

I know I was to quiet Sunday, but honest Donna, I didn’t want to act that way. I didn’t dare try to talk for too long of a time, because I know that if I did my voice would stop completely, and on top of that I just couldn’t seem to be able to think of anything to say although I had so much to say that had I talked continuously I wouldn’t have go everything said to you that I wanted to say. There were a lot of things I failed to do that night. I didn’t tell Max goodbye, nor thank him for what he did. I didn’t thank Aunt Ida for her hospitality, and I didn’t tell you I loved you. If you will accept my apologies I will fell greatly relieved. I shall also extend my apologies to the rest too. It reminds me of the song “You God Me This Way, What Are You Going to Do About It?” As for whether or not I wanted you to come to see me. I hope Donna that there is no longer the slightest doubt in your mind on that, and I’m more than sorry that I didn’t show my appreciation more fully. I could have at least done that. Give me another chance?

I’m glad you like my folks, only from what Mother said in regards to my Aunt Mayme, I am afraid there are some differences. I hope you can meet Dad some time in the very near future. I am going to see him Sunday, and I am going to see if I can talk him into getting off some day & the two of us (I hope without his wife) will drive on to Delta. That will be about the only chance I will have to see John & Glen too. I’ll surprise them on that and then if I can’t make it they won’t be disappointed, but you I wanted to know so that you wouldn’t already have something planned. So if it can be arranged I’ll let you know.

Did you have to carry the gold fish all the way home?

No I don’t mind if you don’t say anything. I want you to be sure of everything. I want you to feel as certain of it as I do, and then I want to be the first to know. I’d like to shout from the tops of the houses, or rather barracks, but why should I make the rest of the fellows feel blue cause I am happy. But when I do tell them, I am really going to make them feel just as happy about the whole thing as I am myself.

I hope this letter doesn’t read like a lot of foolish, silly patter; cause every word is from the bottom of my heart, and it is all true.

Hit the jackpot on mail tonight. Yours, Mother, Cousin in Hawaii (Maymes boy), another soldier in Ephrata, Wash., and I still have one from Glen to answer that I received yesterday.

So until tomorrow might I remain, I hope, your one & only.

Lots a Love

Wayne

P.S. 96 hours – 3 cigarettes. That is better than 24 hrs – 20 cigarettes.