Dear Mary,

I hope you're not worrying too much about me, I promise, I'm ok.

As much as they say the war is the most brutal thing the world has experienced in a long time, it's really not that bad.

Things have been quiet, really. Sure, it's hard to sleep at night when you can hear gunshots in the distance, but it's not as bad as missing home.

How are you? I know things have been rough lately, but I promise you, once I get back, we'll resolve all these issues. I know you're not happy about my choosing to go off to war, but what kind of man would I be if I ran when I had the chance to fight for my country? What kind of role model would I be for Jesse?

Speaking of which, how is our little boy? Is he holding up? He's still a little young to understand the magnitude of everything that's happening around him. Poor kid... I wish he could have had a quite childhood, you know, not having to deal with all of this war stuff. Have you heard? People are already calling this World War III! Can you believe them?

Look, I'm not worried about this war, it's already calming down, and in no time I'll be coming home to see you and Jesse. I'm just glad you are safe.

Anyway, I have to get back to patrol, and I'm running out of room on this paper. I hope to hear from you soon. Send Jesse all of my love for him.

Yours truly,

Raymond Lane