Dear Folks:
I have a little time before chow and I want to answer your letter immediately so perhaps I can get it done now. Hope I answer all your questions too. I told you in my letter of yesterday that I got the shirts and the money so that will ease you on that point. About how I feel, I feel fine and lively but am always tired and ready to sleep solidly when nine o’clock comes around. Drilling and doing fatigue work is tiring but works up a good appetite and keeps you fit. The altitude seems no different than back in Minatare, to me at least. As to my weight I am 137 now. Quite a little gain since I left. About our camp broadcast, if they are received well enough they may become permanent so I can’t tell you when the next one will be. It is over NBC at 9:15 our time and broadcast over coast stations. You would probably have to get Los Angeles KSI. Tryouts are being held tonite at the bowl for the next one.
No Mom I don’t sleep in tents but in a 2 story barrack building housing sixty-three men. A very good description is given in an issue of Life of some time ago but I’ll describe it. The latrine, showers and non-com quarters are in one end and the rest is devoted to us, each sleeps in an individual bunk, or cot along each side of the building with the center aisle open. Our heads (of beds) are alternated. At the bottom of our bunk is a foot closet, a square box with two shelves in which we keep our stationery, toilet articles, clean laundry and other items. Each item has a specific place and it must be there.
Yes, I’ve had enough math for trig, all I had in high school was plenty. Had my first lesson last Thursday.
I’d like to describe my activities today to give you some idea of what I do. Got up at 5:30 and fell out at 6:00 for reveille then went to chow. Back from chow and there swept and scrubbed (every morning). After this drilled for about an hour then went to radio room to hear lecture on the classification and identification of warfare gases. Then a gas mask drill and how we are to protect ourselves. At noon had chow then back to mail call and a half hour to read the mail and relax a little. We then fall out for drill for 2 hours then took an examination for an army driver’s license. Then back to barracks for lecture on how to speak to the battery commander. We were then dismissed and here I am. Retreat is in a half hour. I feel a little tired but after a shower will feel good again. So is this day. Next Monday we will get our technical radio training. Our “lore” said probably none of us would ever go to war without an officer’s rating (non-com).
I’ll keep thinking and tell you what to put in the box. I always wish you could be near and visit on Sundays. Say hello to the whole family.
Love,
