February 22, 1954 LST 1079 My Dearest Wanda, Another day less to wait. You know I've come to the conclusion that I love you more than is good for me - cause it really hurts not being with you. I can't forget you for even an hour. Always sitting around thinking of something I'd like to tell you, or think about the millisn things you did for me that I never realized. Yes I guess us being separated like this will be good for us I know its making me appreciate you alot more and I know I'll love you more when I get back. I'm just glad it won't be but two months, don't know what I'll do if it were longer. Yeah I know I'm just a little kid that homesick, not homesick either, just sick from wanting you so much. You're responsible too for being so good to me and letting me love you to much - still love it though. To me my letters are beginning to sound alike - but theres nothing else to write about. First thing you know I'll be writing like that girl was writing that P.O.W. just I love you, I love you and nothing else. I do love you Wanda and its wonderful loving you, I'll never be able to get close enough to you. We didn't do anything today either. Mr. Washington's birthday you know. We don't do anything on working days, so you can imagine what its like on a holiday - oh yes we get out of the rack long enough to eat - that is if you can muster up the energy. I lay in the sun today until I rutned a bright shade of red. My skin is a little sore now - I don't think it will blister though. I went to the movie tonight but it wasn't any good another shootem up bang. I'd like to know where the navy gets all of these two bit pictures. Well I'm beginning to call it a day. Turn out the light will ya - Goodnite Darling 23rd Hi Honey, just one more day to pull aboard this tub and 57 days to go before we hit swamp lagoon [Ed.-a pun on Camp Lejeune] again. I've still got to figure out some way to get out of that field problem when we land at Onslow - could you offer any suggestions? We didn't do to much today - had a few hours of school. The Navy will start firing tomorrow morning and we will just be 24 miles from Vieques we'll probably drop anchor tomorrow afternoon but won't pull up to the island until Thursday morning. Guess I can get some fishing done tomorrow while we're at anchor. I'd sure like to latch on to a six foot shark or barracuda, so far I haven't even got a nibble. I've had it as far as movies go "Trouble along the Way" was playing tonite and of course I've already seen it. Wanda I'm just not in a writing mood tonite so I might as well close. Remember I love you and miss you more than ever. Yours Forever, Dave P.S. Is the baby still kicking and raising hell. I dreamed about the little devil again last nite. Brad Tesh - transcribed 2005-01-02