A letter to a sister.

Dear Sally,

It has been a long time since I heard from you. I suppose there is something involving Robert and another woman. He reeked of no good at all. Always finding a way to mess something up. I suggest you stay away from him. I know you love him, but he doesn't love you back.

You always said I should find a girlfriend, which I have done, about a month before the time of this writing. Her name's Yvonne Bess, and she's from [censored], right by our airfield. She comes from a good family, and I'm sure mother will like her.

You asked me last letter what exactly I do. Unfortunately, I am not at a privy to tell you any specifics. However, I can say that I think about Yvonne, but sometimes you as well. It is pretty lonely there, stuck in the tail of a bomber, isolated from the rest of the crew other than an inter-aircraft microphone.

It amazes me every time to watch our bombers lumber into formation. Imagine looking out the airplane window to see dozens of big, grey birds fly as if it was one. It is a bit saddening to when returning, because you can see who isn't coming home tonight.

I hear a great many people ask us "How can we live with ourselves for killing so many people?" as if we like it. I don't like war as much as anyone else. But it is a job nonetheless, and the better I do my job, the closer this horrible war will end.

How do I deal with this, you always wonder? How do I deal with living in carnage everyday? I keep myself busy. Always keep something else on your mind, or you'll start having doubts. When you have doubts, you hesitate. And when you hesitate in a combat situation [censored] above the ground, you let down not only yourself, but the three other men you were supposed to protect.

Anyways, I cannot wait to hear from you. And tell Robert that if he keeps stalking you, he'll have to answer to my Rado*. And I know how to use it.

Sincerely,
David Cunningham

*Rado: a firearm manufacturer who produces pistols.