Saturday, October 16, 1943 - later that afternoon

I wish I was home watching a football game instead of going to "God knows where." It is peculiar what goes through my mind while I think as we churn along. I think of home and what mom is doing. She was the only one to write before I left and Marie and Jean are probably bouncing around somewhere. Dad is probably working unless there is a football game and then maybe he is to it. There is probably a big dance tonite after the game and June and Barbara and everyone else will be there. I wonder if they think of me and the rest of the boys who have left since the war started taking us. June most of all I wonder about and Barbara is probably much better off for my leaving. I get feeling low sometimes and then my morale jumps and I feel swell for a little while - maybe I'll live. This is beautiful out here though and I wouldn't want to miss it for anything. I am quite interested to know our course. We left toward the west and then about 8 o'clock a blimp came over and gave us a blinker signal to change course or something and we started off toward the south. Then this morning we were heading due west and about 7 o'clock turned again. Wish we would stop off at Honolulu for I want to see all I can on this little gout sponsored tour as the Lt. says. It must seem funny back home because it is fall there now and here is summer. Summer is just getting ready to start "down under" and it is certain we are heading "down under." Hope to be able to write a little every day because I don't want to forget this ocean cruise. This war isn't all bad I guess.