All grammatical errors and spelling mistakes are intentional to make things feel more "authentic." I do not own anything from Saving Private Ryan. Thank you.

23 March 1943

Camp Forrest, Tullahoma, TN

Dear Sis,

Daddy's right, my basic trainin's almost done with. To be exact, I graduate this Friday the 26th. Sorry I didn't tell y'all sooner but they didn't even tell us the date until this past Sunday. And as for what comes next, I wrote to Mama and Daddy a little bit about it in my last couple letters, so I expect they'll probably be talkin to you about it here soon but I'll tell you, too.

I've volunteered for a new Ranger battalion that's forming up here soon. The Rangers are the best of the best and God's given me a few gifts I think could make me a pretty helpful tool. The best part is I'd still be at Camp Forrest here for awhile longer. I know money's real tight but at least that way the chance for maybe a couple days here or there gettin to visit on a weekend is a little bit more hopeful. If nothin else our letters'll still only take about a week to get to each other.

Hard to believe I've been away from you and everyone else for three months already. I may be a bit different from when I left but nothin too big. Just military stuff like how I make my bed and wear my clothes and stuff. I'm still your dumb big brother! That could never change no matter what. I know it'll still be awhile yet but if I have to make it through a couple or few years away from my family no so that other guys later on won't have to at all, that makes it worth it in my book. Besides, it just makes comin home that much sweeter.

I want all the gossip I've been missin out on since I left! All of it! What kind of silly question is that, girl? You know full well I miss getting the full scoop from one Mrs. Clementine Henries while we wait for Mama to finish her weekly shoppin at the general store. You gotta be my temporary Mrs. Henries!

You're such a worry wart. But God knows I love you for it. Me not wanting you to worry about me is me worryin about you. Does that make any sense? I think it does. To me, at least. Maybe we should just accept it and shut up about it? Probably. I feel like we've been over this before. Probably.

I miss you so much, little sis. Don't you ever think otherwise. I love you!

Your brother,

Danny

P.S., Finally got permission to write to Mary for the duration. You don't have to be our messenger anymore! Thanks a ton, Sis, really.

March 29, 1943

Cedar Hill, TN

Dear Danny,

Based on your last letter, congratulations are in order. Congratulations on your graduation! I really am so proud of you, Daniel Eugene Jackson. Mama showed me the photograph you sent of you in your dress uniform. I ain't never seen you look quite so sharp before, not even in your Sunday best. Didn't even take an hour for that snapshot to get itself a frame and be put up on the mantle, right next to the one of you, me, and Tommy from that last big hunt we all went on last year.

Alright, let's see...gossip, drama, the veritable newsreel of a small town. Where do I begin?

Well, here's one item that just came out the other day: Marla Hennings (formerly Jenkins) and her husband Clarence found out that they're going to have a baby sometime this autumn. If I recall correctly, they were just a couple years ahead of you in school, right? Right after they found out the were expecting, Clarence got his draft notice. I don't know what's going to happen there, but boy, does my heart go out to them. Keep them in your prayers, alright? They sure could use them.

On a lighter note, Mrs. Quincey somehow managed, and do not ask me how because I have absolutely no idea, to get herself another cat. Oh, and a rooster. Honestly, that thing is the most annoying rooster on God's green earth. and the stupidest, to boot. It crows at the most random times and we can hear it from a mile and a half away. I'm about two more pre-five o'clock rude awakenings from having a hunting accident with the darn thing! No, I'm not, because that would not be to moral thing to do. Something having to do with the Tenth Commandment, I'm sure. The temptation is always there, though! Lord, give me strength.

Anyhow, let's see what else around here is new and in any way exciting...honestly, not much else at the moment. Mr. Oakley is as crotchety as ever about kids spending any longer than five minutes in his soda shop without buying anything. Sheriff Mills, bless him, pretends to run them off and give them a talking to just to appease him. Actually, Tommy was on the receiving end of one of those little episodes one day last week. I guess he was waiting for Andy Chisums to meet him there after school, and wasn't even inside yet, but Andy got held up by a teacher or something. Amidst the disgruntled mumbles and ranting of Old Man Oakley, Tommy said the sheriff tried not to roll his eyes before he tugged him around the corner by his sleeve and slipped him a nickel so he and Andy could get a couple of candy bars over at Huffman's Market instead. Mama, Daddy, and I all found that story quite amusing.

Well, there's a special Bing Crosby radio show about to be broadcast and I feel like I've monopolized far too much of your time as it is. I'm sorry, Danny, but you'll jus have to share me with good ol' Bing.

I love you so much and I miss you terribly! You had best be taking care of yourself, young man. (Yes, you may be older than me, but I can still call you "young man" like that.) Please tell me you've made some good friends.

Remember, the Lord is always with you and watching over you!

All my love,

Bonnie

P.S., I'm so happy for you and Mary! I know it'll be so nice for y'all to get to talk to each other directly instead of one or two sentences here and there through your sister.