February 23, 1945 #181

Dear Folks,

I forgot too late the V-mail letter but this is the letter written at the same time. I got a nice letter from Eunice the other day did I tell you? So you're getting to be a sharpie at bowling, eh Pop? I'll have to go some if I expect to catch up. I haven't bowled in so long I doubt if I could lift a ball, let alone throw it.

Say Mom in one letter you said you only weighed 139 lbs., are you sick or are you worrying too much? It is silly to worry so much 'cause it isn't as bad as they say it is. Just look at the averages, I fly about five times a month and we're over the target for three to five minutes and on lots of targets there isn't even any flack. We lost more men at El Paso than we have in our squadron over here. Not only that but better than half of the men we lose here come back or are prisoners of war. Since you are worrying so much I'm not going to say any more about my missions or how many I have to go. I think it would be much better that way.

Say, to change the subject, have you ever gotten any pictures from Mrs. Cooper? Cooper, our engineer, has a camera and he sent the film home to his wife to have prints made. You should have some of them by now. Well it's late and we have no electricity tonight so I better blow out the candles before they burn away. For gosh sakes stop worrying, the bad penny always returns.

Love,
Rae

P.S. Please send me some crackers.