Dearest Darling-

In 15 minutes we are to leave for a formation so maybe I will have to stop in the middle.

This morning they took us out in a field and gave us calisthenics (exercise). All kinds of knee bends, hopping, leg bends and so forth. I could just about walk or stand up when I finished. Boy oh boy am I in condition !!!?

Then after that we started marching and drilling. All morning long we marched forward, reverse, to the right, to the left and so forth over these hard stony roads and heavy mud and water holes and shrubbery and everything else. Then they gave us a heavy rifle and - there’s the bugle I got to stop - hold on honey i still love you.

Hello again - it is now Dec 2 - Time 7:10. I have just come back from breakfast and I am very miserable. Monday when I started this letter I was pulled off at 4:00 and had started guard duty. I worked 24 hours straight - at intervals. I paraded 2 hours and then had 4 off, etc. I marched 6 to 8 PM, 12 to 2 AM, 6 to 8 AM and 12 to 2 PM. In the meantime (4 hours) in between we tried to sleep on hard cots in an adjacent tent with no pillows and with all your clothes on.

So at 4:00 PM yesterday afternoon I was pretty tired. Also yesterday AM I put my name in for a pass to N.Y. (12 hours) SO about 6:)) PM tired as we were - we headed for N.Y. and arrived around 7:15. All nite long we paraded around and made eyes at all the pretty girls - all the ones who didn’t have a soldier, sailor, or marine on their tail (and there were very few left). I called up my old girl Gladys (remeber the letters we threw out) but no one was home. I also called up my Aunt Sylvia and extended best wishes & regards from the family and also yourself. Then I called up Bernie Newman - you remember her. I talked to her for sometime on the phone. She happened to be busy that nite so I couldn’t see her. She was flabbergasted when I told her I was married - she said oh then you don’t love me anymore - or words to that effect. She’s a very chrming person. If I can get another night off I will try and see her again. The three of us also walked through the theatre district and saw all the shows (from the outside). Then we went to the Stage Door Canteen on 224 W. 44th Street. It’s quite a place - full of service men and beautiful girls with cute little aprons who are the hostesses. Just about every one of the girls is really good-looking and swell dancers. I watched them. They give you a ticket good for free food. I had milk, cheese sandwich, and cookies. I just sat there and took it all in but I didn’t really enjoy it - and you know why.

Too bad I missed you again - What about this course you are taking - Let me know all about it.

How do you like my nerve - calling up in the middle of a blackout.

I was calling from Hotel Pennsylvania, the ritziest in town!!!

In the Astor we saw 2 cadets who had their Wings. Boy did they look the berries in their gabardine pants and dark coats, etc. Really swell.

We pulled into bed about 3:30 and got up at 6:00 AM - I am in grand shape - pardon me while I call my undertaker. Must close now for formation - I love you - I love you - I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Teddy

T E A M P.S. N.S.Y.