June 18-20, 1943

                                                            June 18
Dear Folks:
            Had a little rain last nite and it was fairly cool to-day. We have been using a small auxiliary field this week. Its cut out of the mesquite on the other side of town. Some one has a nice Hereford bull in the pasture next to it. He comes up to the fence to see what goes on.
            Went on a solo cross-country trip yesterday from here to Sweetwater and Abilene and back. Flew under a small thunder storm that was just starting and was right across my course. Wm. Jackson, who had the same instructor with me at Primary, washed out this week. Also Spears, the boy from Kentucky whom I think I mentioned before. Lost my sun glasses this week. I think I told you about those flying suits in Primary with the pocket on the leg below the knee. Well, we have the same thing here.
            Sunday. Went to the M.E. church in town. Griffee said his wife wrote that there was some hail stones fell around Hutchinson as big as baseballs. Haven’t heard from Marvel Lee this week. Got your letter this afternoon and glad to hear everything’s O.K. I should think a vet would know all about mean mama cows. Ha! Maybe the cow didn’t know that he knew!
            “Flying” the Link is harder work than the real plane. After turning around several times and climbing and gliding one could swear the thing was standing on end. Of course the instruments say otherwise and when you can’t see the ground the instruments have to be relied upon and not the sense of balance.
            I won’t have much time to look at the Royal Purple so would be no use to send it. Don’t expect to hear much from you until after harvest. Has Wright gotten a driver yet? Hope your rain lets up some. Also got the last bunch of Dispatches and the magazine. Guess thats all for now.
                                                            Yours truly,
                                                                        John
P.S. Got a letter from Aunt Jessie.

                                                            June 20
Dear Arlan:
            We went on a solo cross-country last Thurs. Went to Sweetwater, Abilene, and back; took 2 hrs. Flew under a small thunder storm that was just forming on my course. Flew by compass and check points on the ground. W. Jackson, who had the same instructor as I in Primary, washed out last week; also Spears, the red-headed boy from Kentucky, whom I mentioned before
            Lost my sun-glasses last week. Have the same kind of flying suit as at Primary, with the pocket below the knee and that’s how I lost them. I hear you’ve been mixing it with a mama cow. Suppose you can say you got run over by a truck! Ha! Here is a clipping from the Industrialist. What wonders this war hasn’t wrought!
            Yes, the expense of being an officer around most camps is terrific. If the army don’t take you in you won’t have missed any thing of value. Should be here a little over 4 more weeks. Guess thats all for now
                                                            Yours truly,
                                                                        John