30/8/53 5am.

Hi Lil’ Doll,

official word in the CP that I should be leaving here within 30 days and probably in about 2 weeks. Can’t say I’ll be overly sorry to leave this place. In fact you might say I’ll be damned glad to leave. Got another field problem tomorrow that should be a dandy. The exec. Officer should be down to the rear getting the pay so I’ll be all alone figuring up the data to deliver the fire. On top of that a survey has to be run and I’ll be the only enlisted man in the battery who knows survey. Something tells me I’m going to be one busy SFC. I’ll be following my own little motto though, “Never bust your back.” Had a letter from you yesterday that did a good job of brightening up an otherwise useless day. About the pleasantest thing I can think of right now would be to be in Chesaning, Mich. I know darn well I could stand the sight of you, as you put it so bluntly, and I know I would enjoy the kiss(es) you’ve promised me. I think that probably next summer sometime I’ll be out that way and if you’re still unattached you might look for me. Of course in the meantime writing paper + pen are a good way to get ahold of me. When I leave for home I’ll send you my address and will definitely expect to hear how Mich. Is doing. Can’t say for sure whether you’re nuts or not to stand by the mailbox waiting for a letter from me. I know I never stand by the mailbox waiting to hear from myself, but that would probably just prove conclusively that I really am screwy. But of course 13 months here could make a brass monkey nuts, I suppose. The transition from summer to fall just didn’t happen this year. It changed from summer to winter in no time flat. A week ago we were really suffering from the heat, but now we’re hurting from the cold, and if there is one thing I hate it’s cold weather. Maybe that would be a good job for you, trying to keep me warm. Love, Frankie + my Doll