Bathing Archives - Page 2 of 2

18 January 1942

Dear Folks:

The end of another Sunday and a new week about to begin. Strangely though I kind of like to see Monday come because there is so little to do all day. Went to church this morning which made me feel much better all day. Was off yesterday afternoon of course so slept but in the evening went to town and ordered a big meal of everything I wanted regardless what it cost. We had T-bone steaks and peas and all the rest. It cost me a buck twenty but it was worth it. Later went to the show which finished the day. Sunday I was latrine orderly which means digging holes. All of the battalions live in tents now in the park. It’s something new to learn the first time a guy uses a trench. Our showers and washroom are in the old ladies restroom and the medics are in the bathhouse of the swimming pool. Living in tents isn’t bad, a good plan to sleep and a good airing in the daytime, but a little inconvenient to use a latrine with no roof in a cat and dog rain. Guess I’m seeing a little more Army life now.

Called up June tonite but Gram wasn’t there. We talked a long time and June said they would try to come up next Sunday.

Of course I’m disgusted about the box. I went to the post office here and they checked all they could but said that without the number of the insurance slip they could do little. Guess it must be at San Luis Obispo someplace. Guess maybe you better get a claim on it. Must be something wrong to keep no better account of an insured box than that.

Got Dad’s nice long letter and a joy to read. You are doing very good. My ribs are okay now but taking off the tape was no joke.

Got a letter from Glen Chambers and Jim Sandison today. Especially good to hear from Sandy. He’s a right guy if there ever was one.

This is about everything. I’m getting heavier all the time and feeling better. I get pretty depressed trying to wonder when all of this will be over, but when it is, coming back will be all the better.

Don’t you worry and soon again we’ll all eat popcorn and apples around the fire.

Love,

3 November 1941

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,

25 October 1941

Dear Folks:

Although I think you still owe me a couple of letters I’ll write while I have nothing to do. This is Saturday afternoon and a beautiful day here. I just got through playing baseball with my shirt off. It’s pretty hot. Just got out of the shower and sitting around in my shorts luxiously relaxing. Everybody is listening to a radio wondering how their team will come out. Wish I could hear Nebraska.

Haven’t started my radio schooling yet and won’t for a couple of weeks. Since I’ve been here in the specialist battery we’ve been working on an oil mat to drill on. Boy that’s hard work and plenty dirty but it makes me feel good and eat plenty. When the rainy season begins here it rains all the time and the mud is actually on the tops of knee boots. That’s why all the work on the oil matting. Yesterday laid an oil mat for a basketball court. After this is finished I will begin my technical training on radio work. This battery I’m in has quite a good past. Since it was formed nine months ago our battery has never lost the “Best Battery” sign which hangs on our orderly building. It is the best battery in the whole camp and the best in the special battalion. The radio battery of the specialists is considered the best and to have the best and smartest in it. Also our regiment has had the regimental banner 5 out of 6 times. I’m quite proud to be here. The fellows seem to take more interest in things here. Sidewalks have been built up and a lawn and patches of flowers are around the barracks. Also by the mess hall we have a fountain with a square cupola over it plus an old Dutch windmill on top of it. But being in this battery means plenty of work. Friday nights we get on our hands and knees and scrub the floors. On Saturdays the latrine is cleaned. Yesterday I washed windows on the second floor—plenty of them and to think I used to gripe at home to just wash a few. This morning I was latrine orderly and had to polish the bowls and brass til it shone like the sun.

Thursday nite the camp gave a broadcast over NBC but I didn’t go. Don’t know what I’ll do tonight suppose go the show or the service club. This service club is quite a building. In it is a large cafeteria and café, a dance floor and a balcony around it. Also there is a library and a larger fireplace. I have signed up for two night school classes given in the Paso Robles high school. The courses are Spanish and trigonometry but don’t know whether can take trig or not.

My pal now is a fellow who is from Omaha and formerly worked in the War Department finance office. He also is a graduate of Nebraska University in Business Administration. He’s a swell fella and we go every place together. Practically all the fellows in my barracks are from Missouri or Kansas.

All soldiers do get half rates on transportation that is a cent a mile. Also I get a ten day leave at Christmas. I can go to Grandmas if I can’t get to you. It would take quite a bit to come home. I’ve written letters to Grandma but haven’t heard from her. I’ve had some trouble getting my correspondence straightened out after all these changes, however I’ve gotten mail from you, one from Dad (keep ‘em coming) and note from Mom with a buck in it. Thanks so much.

Got a letter from Kate and one from Bill Emick yesterday. Kate didn’t say much though I’ll answer today. By the way I suppose you addressed your letters to me from the card mailed from Leavenworth but be sure and address the rest from the card I sent that is Battery D, 55^th FA Tng. Bn. Use private and not mister.

Guess that’s everything. Say hello to the kids.

By the way I did know Professor Walker very well. Used to wait on him when I worked on “Bucks”.

See you in the next letter.

Lots of love,