July 28, 1945

Dear Folks:                                                28 July 45
            Has been a long dry spell here. Hasn’t rained for a week so did quite a bit of flying. I was somewhat surprised at Arlan’s engagement but not nearly as surprised as you were apparently. You are right, of course, about not getting married until you have a business going. However, training in a profession, especially veterinary medicine, is the equivalent of a business. If Arlan goes into missionary work after leaving the army this would be doubly true. It is true that the future does not look absolutely secure but I doubt if the times looked all rosy to a neutral party even when you were married. It seems to me that having an unknown quantity in the future gives people something to aim at, whether they like it or not at the time. When a nation starts looking only for security progress has stopped. Look what happened to France and her Maginot Line. Such are the dreams of youth. Ah me! Enough of that. Got a little off the subject, I’m afraid.
            Sorry to hear about the wheat crop. What kind of combine did you order? How does the cultivator work on the feed that was drilled? I can see you feeling sorry for the cats — to the extent of $1 a week. I’d smother the pussy cat. Maybe you could step on her neck instead of her foot.
            Buddy’s T/4 rating is equivalent of a sargeant. Our operations building is a farm house that was left on one corner of the field. The barn is used by radio and engineering. I also got a driver’s license. Haven’t had one since loosing my billfold. I finally eliminated a squeak from the car that I had been hunting for ever since I got it. It was caused by the bumper support touching the fender where the support passes thru the fender. I’ve paid Arlan $640 haven’t I? Will send him a check for the rest.
            I was going on a cross country to Tulsa & Wichita this week end but have to fly Sunday morning so its off. Maybe some other week.
                                                John
P.S. Can you find out Cloyce’s address? Might get up there to Norfolk.