February 18, 1954 LST 1079 My Dearest Wanda, Done went and got one day behind in writing so I'd better get busy and write Well first of all I love you and right now can't do a damn thing about it by say it and wish there was some way to show it instead of just saying I love you. I'd better shut up about that as I'm talking in circles. Anyway I do love, want, and need you more than anything (including me) else in the world - you know that so we'll let it go as it stands. Honestly Wanda I've just been away from you five days and it seems like five years already, I close my eyes and try to see you - but can't - I can feel you and hear some of the things you've said to me though, but I can't get used to the idea of not being with you - Honey you just let me fall in love to much - you've made a big baby out of me -I like it that way hope it stays that way forever. Might as well catch you up on the latest news - as though there were some. In my last letter we were at Onslow beach -now we're about 100 miles out at sea. We were suppose to load the am-tracks yesterday just got one of the loaded - the water got to rough. We finished loading this morning We got underway for Vieques about 11 this morning. Had a little excitement last night. One of my boys had been sea-sick and hadn't eaten anything all week. He passed out and they had to send for a doctor on another ship. I fished a little while this morning didn't catch a damn thing. I told a boy to hold my fishing rod while I smoked a cigarette and be-damned if he didn't catch a black sea bass over a foot long. Don't worry I'll catch me a fish yet even if I have to blast for them. I'll shut up for now see ya tomorrow. Goodnite Wanda! 19th Hi Sweetheart, back again, but with nuthin much to gab about. One thing for sure we have one day less to wait until we can be together again 61 more days. Honey if the rest of these days go like these first few it will seem like a lifetime. We didn't do much today except have a couple classes rest of the days the navy has been up to their war games and we had to stay in our compartments - More fun. Oh I dreamed about you last nite. I came home - you weren't pregnant and it wasn't time for the baby to come. I ask you what happened and you wouldn't answer. So I turned the house upside down looking for it. Finally found it in my locker box. I woke up then! What do you mean treating our baby like that! Boy I'm getting as bad as you are about silly dreams. Ya know Wanda I can't hardly believe we're going to have a baby - I know we are and I'll be one of the happiest personson earth when it is born. I'll never be able to love it as much as I love you though. I'll just have to like it and keep on loving you. I'll see you tomorrow honey! 20th My Darling I didn't think I'd ever miss anyone like I miss you now. I though it was bad last summer when I just saw you on the weekends but that doesn't even compare with now - because I love and need you alot more now and being on this damn tub doesn't help things any. I'll be glad when we get there. I hate ships more and more everytime I see one, can't see why anyone would join the navy for. We've been in rough water every since we left Morehead They started to pull into Wilmington the day we left but the fleet commander wouldn't approve of it. One of the sailors' kids was about to die When we get to Vieques they'll probably fly him back. Don't know whether I told you or not but Dixon (boy that lives in the trailer park) got transferred the day we sailed. Probably got his orders for Korea. He gets out in August. I haven't checked in the last couple days to see where we're at but we must be about 500 miles east of Florida as its getting warmer every day. Guess I'll lay in the sun tomorrow get me a tan started - I want to get as black as Wiggins - think you'll like sleeping with a black man? Don't worry we'll turn the lights out and you'll never know the difference Oh I had another silly dream last nite - about the baby. It was a girl and was walking a few minutes after it was born. Heres the silly part you also had another baby in you and it was born at the house, just you and I were there. It wasn't all there though. It was a boy but all there was to it wasa 4' x 4' piece of skin. You were all shook up I said "what the hell one baby is enough for now we'll make the girl a dress out of this skin." See you're not the only one cracking up. To top that dream off - I had another one - had to take a shower about 1 am this morning That dream was silly - it hurt real good. I read a good book this afternoon about a girl who went around putting the make on everyone - but couldn't find anyone that could satisfy her - she finally went for a walk in the ocean - It was pretty good reading. Damn pity she didn't meet up with me - she wouldn't have committed suicide. Well Wanda I give you a couple minutes break while you're opening another letter. I don't know whats wrong with me - I just can't write. I want you and thats all, Maybe I'll gell more like writing after we land and get some more mail. I've just about worn that letter out you gave me Sunday morning - it is really sweet. Honey I'll write tomorrow. Till then remember I love darling. Good nite! Yours Forever, Dave Brad Tesh - transcribed 2005-01-02