March 7, 1954 Vieques, P.R. My Dearest Wanda, Honey I'm sorry I'm writing such short letters, but I do have a half ass excuse. We got in at two today - worked until 5:30. After chow we had a two hour briefing period on this problem. It is now 8, in a few minutes the movie will break up and Ryan Watson and the rest will be up here drinking and raising hell - of course I can't help but join them. Honey it's been that way for the last week. We are really working this week - next week I should have more time than I know what to do with. This year I'll have to work alot harder than last as last year I had guys like Brad, Poole, and others that knew what to do. Most of these kids are new and you have to show them every little thing that has to be done. I just hope I'm around to come back here next year, baby I'd die if I had to leave you for more than a few months. We both know it's coming - just pray it's a couple years from now. I'll tell you how I want it to happen. It's for sure I'll be leaving some time. I want to be here with you until about next March - get us another baby started - then it won't be so bad leaving. Wanda I do want our children within a year or two apart. So they can always be close together and take care of each other. Wanda we're lucky although we do have a couple years' separation always hanging over our heads. We love the other and know what we'll be missing all that time when we're apart - therefore we'll love the other more than the ordinary civilians would. Well just for example Bob and Shirley. People like that seem to take each other for granted, here today, here tomorrow, what the hell. With us it's here today and hope for tomorrow. Wanda it's hard to be away from you like this - but I'd rather it be like this than to be in the shape like some of our friends are. Wanda I love you and I know you love me, lets keep it like that forever. I'll quit the M.C. when my time is up (22 yrs.) then we'll just love the other until we die. Baby as long as I love you like I do now, there's nothing that can break us up. I'm sure you fell the same. Big News, Lorie had her baby, born at 5:48AM March 6, 8lb 11-3/4oz. Name Carol Lorraine. That's a big baby isn't it. Honey I'll really be glad when ours gets here. You and that baby is all I live for. Wanda we go to the field tomorrow for four days. I doubt if I'll be able to mail any or receive any mail but I will write during that time and mail it when we come in Thursday. I guess you know by now - anyway, Margaret is coming back to Lejeune tomorrow so she won't be coming back with you. I guess the shower came out real good, it should have with all the friends you have. You know honey, that's one of the reasons I love you so. Your personality is number "1". I don't believe you've ever met a stranger. I can't hardly wait until I hear wha-happened. Wanda I'm glad you're going out to Grandma's - it will do you good. Darling I have only one worry - I believe you're keeping to busy and it will hurt you. Please, please, Wanda don't let anything happen - you're all I have. Of course you married mom's best kid, she didn't have to say yes or no. I hope you can beat N.C. State out of money. Willie still owes me 33 I let him have another $6 in a dice game. I played the other night on side bets first time since 50 and won $8. Baby I'll never get tired of you "saying the same old things" as long as you love me, I know you love me - please darling don't ever quit loving me, as it would be the end for me. Wanda all I'm doing now is thinking of you, how nice it would be if I could hold you, if something happened it would ruin me, so please take care of you until I get back. O.K., so I'm failing at fishing, so what. I know damn well we won't have any time for fishing when I get back cause then it will be you and that baby and nuthin else, you two are all I'm living for. Wanda as the baby grows bigger it will hurt when he moves. At times you will hate that I made you pregnant. It hurts me alot to know that you will suffer for our baby. I just wish it were so that I could take all of the pain the baby will cause you, I know that isn't possible. Wanda no matter how much pain it causes you, please don't regret it as the baby will mean more to you than I do. I know you want it but I believe I want it worse. Wanda it will be one thing - the only thing we'll ever have that will be all ours - only God can take it from us. I can see it now - that kid will be so spoiled it won't be worth killing. Baby I'll shut up for now. I'll write every chance I have while I'm in the boonies, please don't feel bad if I don't write every day, I will if possible. Remember Wanda I love you and need you more than ever. Goodnite darling! Yours Forever, Dave Brad Tesh - transcribed 2005-01-03