Dear Joey,

Bess tells me you made it. You are in the service, eh? Lots of luck boy. Well Joey, tell me all about it. What branch you are in, what you are doing, etc. Let me know all about yourself. 

Here I am in the navigation preflight down in Texas. I am about 18 miles out of Houston. I just got 1 day from finishing my 1st 3-week period of a 9-week course when I had to go to the hospital for kidney trouble. I am in the hospital now. It is a swell place to lay around and rest.

Houston is a swell town with plenty to do and see. I met a beautiful girl on my first night in and have been seeing her since. She is really nice.

I get letters from Serp every once in a while. I haven’t heard from him since the 2nd. His mother and girlfriend were down to visit him.

I hear from Bess and Marge quite often. Everyone seems to be doing ok in Kellen’s Super[market]. They have the grocery clerks union in now. Marge wrote that Abe Kristal died. He was the produce buyer. I think you knew him. I knew him very well.

Joey boy, try to get a few minutes to spare and drop me a line. Be sure to tell me all about yourself and hope your mother is feeling, etc.

Lots of luck. Your pal,
Mickey