Sunday February 8, 1942
The Port of New York

My Sweet Vivienne

The letter smelled just as I remember you smelling. It reminded me of the time you and I sat on your mom’s front porch under that thick scratchy wool blanket. I was surprised that she let us sit so close together with our hands out of sight. You were so warm under that blanket on that cold December afternoon. I wish I was still on the porch with you. My desire for you is so strong that I dare not speak it aloud; maybe the distance between us will give us strength.

I didn’t know the name of the perfume; I hope to see Paris some day soon, I hope you would be with me. Maybe after this war we can travel to Paris, would you like to see Paris? Do you have family there?

I hardly know where to start in describing New York City, it is both wonderful and evil. The buildings are so tall that you nearly fall over backwards looking for the top of them. And the bridges are long and tall and made of iron and steel, not wood like at home. But the people seem rude and in a hurry, except when I am in uniform, they are very nice to the servicemen. But it’s still not like home.

My bunkmate Charlie Applewhite, from Decater Georgia, and I, along with a bunch of other fellows went out for a night on the town. We went to Broadway and were going to watch one of those shows, but we ended up going to a nightclub. They had jazz music and lots of hard liquor, and women that all paid us much attention. Some of the other fellows had been here before and seem to have a bit of fun at my expense. They thought that it was amusing that these women seem to care a great deal for me and I thought that they were extraordinary friendly. But I soon learned that they really just wanted to take my money either by getting a free drink or threw more lascivious means. You know I am not a naive person, but I never thought that I would see women selling themselves in such an open manner. It was shameful. I was…..well I better not say more about the matter. Suffice it to say New York City, is both beautiful and ugly.

I do not know when we will leave, they just keep saying soon, so I will write as often as I can before we board ship. I keep smelling your letter and thinking of your warmth, I hope the smell does not fade soon, it’s is one of the few tangible things I have of you.

Love always
Jack