Firday, February 6, 1942
The Port of New York

My Sweet Vivienne

I can’t express what parting from you means to me. The last few days with you were an unimaginable joy, and it is with deep regret that I must part now from you. It seems that our great creator is testing us by showing us our greatest desire then snatching them away. I hope you feel as I do. I am troubled by the time we may spend apart and what it will do to our memories of what we have so recently shared. This will truly be a test.

But I must tell you that I am excited at last to being able to strike a blow for the USA, and help our friends in England. The news here is dark. But that is all I can say, as our Sergeant has made it clear that loose talk will do nothing but help the German and Italians.

New York is a grand place, but I have seen little of it except for Grand Central Station and the barracks here at the marshaling yard. I hear that we will get on one of those big gray ships here any day and sail off to Europe! What an adventure! I look forward to seeing some of this world, knowing only what I have read is our local newspaper and in National Geographic.

But the world is a large place and the grander the sight I will see will only remind me of your beauty.

I must hurry now for the post is about to close and I do not know when I will be able to write again. This is my last piece of writing paper and I don’t know where I am to get more supplies.

With Love
Jack