1943.3.7

March 7, 1943
6:15 Sun.

Dear Folks:

Well I haven’t written for some time. It’s been pretty busy. Friday I went up in the pressure chamber. This is to accustom us to flying at high altitudes. We have to use oxygen masks after we get up so high. While coming down there is a terrific pressure on the eardrums. This bothered some of the fellows but I didn’t feel it at all. We went up to 28,000 ft. They won’t let a person go up if they have a cold because they might break an eardrum.

Last night I was on guard duty and today we had an exam in Math. I did all right I guess. I was pretty tired because I only had about 3 hrs sleep last night. I walked from 9 to 11 and from 3 to 6. I was supposed to get off at 5 but there was a little mix up so I walked an extra hour. I was pretty mad. Boy it was cold last night. I almost froze to death. I was a special guard last night. Four of us were guarding a mess hall that had been fumigated and it was filled with gas.

The other day I sent my income tax return to you. I am not paying but I must file a return. I wonder if Dad would either take that down to the collector of internal revenue or mail it to him. Just so he gets it before March 15.

Tomorrow we have a final test in aircraft identification. I am worried. We have to learn to recognize 40 planes. We have had 8 class hours to do it in. I don’t know them very good.

I got a letter from Marsdens* and another one from Dorothy Marsden.

Well I must close. Did I tell you I got that package from Pug? I will write and thank her as soon as I get more time.

Well Good-bye,
Alva

*The Marsdens were good friends of Alva’s parents. Dorothy was their oldest daughter. She was a 38 year old school teacher living in Grand Rapids.