25/11/52

Dear Ila,

Being an obliging sort of young fellow, I thought that as long as you were interested in having a soldier write you, I should elect myself. First off, you’ve never written me, and I’ve never written you (‘til now) and you’ve never seen me, and I’ve never seen you so we start on the same foot, anyhow. In order to make the sledding easier I’ll give you a brief run-down of my illustrious life’s history: Born: Hartford, Conn., Nov 4, 1930, named: Frank Richard Trask. Lived in Conn. 5 yrs. Before moving; lock, stock, barrel, bag & baggage to Massachusetts, my present abode. (excepting this hole). Live now in Wenham (inc. 1639) and have for past 18 months. Attended Swampscott High School 3 yrs (’45-’48) attended Univ. of Maine 2 yrs (’48-’50) before the strong right arm of the nation decided it needed me. Dabbled slightly in sports while in that higher institution of learning, the college, playing football. Studied Engineering, Mechanical and Calculus. Didn’t lose too many brains in the struggle, but might have lost my mind. Not sure, anyhow. At present, am doing nothing more than proving to the Army that I can be useless when I want to be. And to show me how grateful the Army is they are going to give me 2 months training to become a 2nd lieutenant. Deals, deals, always deals. Feel slightly offended to think you wouldn’t ask if I was free and single but that must be because I wasn’t in any picture. Ask me and I’ll tell. As for these other 2 boys they’re single, but not free. They’ve got a couple of romantic storms working through the postal services, while this kid is single, free and happy. Of course I do a lot of literary composing but nobody has me sewed up, so I come and go as I please. Unfortunately, there are times when the Army says I will work, so, this being one of those times I doff my skimmer, bow from the waist and big you adieu. (French, for something or other.) If you would care to continue this magnanimous correspondence, I’m willing.

Breathlessly, Frankie