Dot’s birthday package, forwarded to camp from the hospital, was the only mail Dart received on his birthday. He was grateful for all the little treats she’d been able to buy him while on restricted shopping. Still, most of them have to be shipped home to Cleveland because he’s not allowed to have books, gum or non-regulation handkerchiefs while at boot camp.

He’s getting all his required shots again, and his duties include late night sentry and early morning drilling of the new companies. He describes a sunny, balmy, breezy day – nice for parade duty. Then he launches into a mock conversation between two recruits in his new company. These guys, like most of the outfit, are from Brooklyn, and Dart does not hold them in very high regard. Still, the imagined dialogue between them is comical.

He enclosed a poem he wrote while on sentry duty. He calls it his attempt at versification. It’s a sweet, romantic job that will no doubt thrill Dot to the core.

He’s writing the letter while the rest of his company is either passing a swim test or taking boxing lessons. His restricted duty prohibits either of those activities, so he’s taking advantage of the time to catch up on his correspondence.

Finally, he thanks her for the photo she sent in response to his request for more pictures of her. It was taken in the summer of 1935 when Dot was only 9 years old. Not sure that’s the kind of photo he had in mind, but the little prankster thought she’d have some fun with him.

On this day, which would have been his 90th birthday, I still miss Dad every day. Somehow, reading his letters and working on this blog nake me miss him a little less. I am grateful.