March 10, 1950. From Airman Charles to June. Letter 1 of 10 in collection.
At West Point in 1950, cadet Charles writes a first letter to his girlfriend, June. It’s a raw, tender outpouring from a cadet caught between duty and devotion. With military drills behind him and months of separation ahead, he tries to soften the blow of postponed summer leave, promising to skip dances, resist temptation, and even consider resigning, if that’s what it takes to keep her heart close to his.
This is young love, unfiltered and all in.
10 March, 1950
Dearest June,
Hello, Honey. How is my beautiful gal tonight. I hope she is fine ‘cuz if she wasn’t then I’d have to come right home. Honey, I miss you more and more every day. I think I’ll go nuts if I don’t see you soon. I’m nuts about you now as it is anyway.
I’m glad I won’t have to walk the area tomorrow because I think it will be cold. I wish this place would warm up for good. Tomorrow we don’t have either a parade or inspection and am I glad! I’ll leave the girls alone if you want me to. I won’t go to the hop if you say no. You see, I want to be a good boy just for you.
Honey, I’ve got some bad news. My leave this summer won’t being until about the 7th of July. We are going to have an Air Force trip and spend most of our time in Tampa, Florida. Now don’t you start getting jealous of those Florida bathing beauties you’ve seen and hear about, because you’re the only girl for me and you know it. I can leave for Texas from Forida if I want to instead of coming back up here.
This way I will save about 3 days and can see you sooner, or rather longer. This will mean that you are going to have to wait a month longer than we thought. I wish this army would make up it’s mind. Oh, well, Honey it won’t be as long until Christmas as it would have been. Do you think you can wait that extra month for me? If you can’t, all you have to di is say so. I’m aware that I’ll be going to a lot of places where there are a lot of girls, but I’ll save my love for you if you want me to. I love you , Honey and nobody else will do. I can wait for you if you can wait for me. I feel so terrible about not getting to come home in June to see you. I may resign before then and everything will be all right. Just so you love me and will wait for me is all I ask. All I can say is that I love you June, and I always will. Is that enough for you until I can make you my very own someday? I love you. Be sweet for me. Goodnight, Angel. All my love EVER, Charles.
p.s. I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!!
p.s. #2 I’ve sure got me some gal.