July 6, 1967

Dear Lorraine,

Hi Honey! How are you? I missed writing for the past two days things have been pretty busy here. Yesterday after missions I had to pull a 50-hour inspection on my ship and have everything ready for today’s flights. It’s a tired old bird but still seem s to get the job done and bring us back. I’ve been trying to get them to put a new engine in it but am not having much luck. The people in maintenance say it doesn’t have enough hours on it to justify a replacement. Mr. Dobbs has been trying to convince the Maintenance Officer but hasn’t had any luck. I guess we will just have to deal with it until it quits.

What did you do on the 4th of July? We didn’t have any fireworks here and that’s a good thing if you know what I mean. You said that you have a job now after school. I think that a lot of work along with studying. If you need money I can send you some to help out.

My days here are still not going as fast as I’d like but not much I can do about it. I am doing my best to stay busy and keep my mind off of you but it just isn’t working. Today’s missions are over and my post flight is done the ship is clean and ready for tomorrow nothing else left that needs attention so I think I’ll polish the windshield. Mr. Dobbs is always complaining about the scratches. I told him if he wouldn’t use the wipers when it rains it would not be scratched. I got a dirty look for that one.

I’m out of news from here so I’ll close now.

I Love You!!

Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.