Tuesday May 20th
Dear Sweetheart,
Just a line to wish you many happy return of tomorrow and tell you how much I love you. Couldn't find anything in New York nice enough for you (and am down to the $50 I am supposed to have in my pocket when I leave here), so will bring you a souvenir from the Kaiser's Palace in Berlin! Have everyone of the enclosed films printed and send uncle 2 or 3 of the best. They are all poor but will show the various uniforms except the raincoat. We are terribly disappointed in them as we really all look quite nice, even in the grey uniforms and butcher aprons. The sun was so bright and such a reflection from the tile roof we couldn't keep our eyes open. Our men arrived at Camp Merritt Saturday. They seem to think they will be there two weeks. I saw the funeral procession of the Italian aviator today up 5th Ave. Our airplanes flew up the avenue dropping flowers-the enclosed is part of one.
You should see how beautiful I packed my trunk. Everything in tight and you know I thought it full when I left Minneapolis.
Have just had a spread-delicious chocolate cake with marshmallow filling given to me by Mrs. Howard-Mrs. Stanley Lyman's sister.