Tuesday, Feb 27[1]
Dear Nellie[2],
Just a speedy little note to let you know I’m thinking of
you + your birthday + enjoying the quiet gentile way it is undoubtedly being
observed. For the last 2 years the day has had significance for me too and am
now amazed at the naiveté regarding the army I must have shown then[3].
After a lull
of 4 or 5 days of comparative leisure I’m again busying around with the heavies[4]
so as I write this I’m pretty groggy + preparing to go to bed for another big
day tomorrow. When time was on my hands there was a dearth of incoming mail,
but with the situation reversed I’m now getting snowed under.
Write again
soon + love,
Robert[5]
[1] The
Year is absent, but the reference to combat flying and use of Vmail make it
1945.
[2]
Addressed to: Mrs. William E Downing; Rt 1 Box 52-A; Clovis, California. She is
his oldest sister.
[3]
This probably refers to a youthful excitement about serving. Later in live, he
did not look favorably on the military.
[4]
The B-17’s (and B-24’s) were heavy bombers and often referred to as “heavies”.
[5]
Return Address: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.;
APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C. The censor mark is also signed by Robert.
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