Office Archives - Page 4 of 4

24 July 1943

Dear Dad:

I just received your letter a few minutes ago and I want to answer it immediately although I haven’t much time during the noon hour. Why am I so interested in the law books? I haven’t contacted a judge advocate because that isn’t too easy for me to do, but if I recall rightly, those books were used by the law students that I roomed with in Lincoln. Buy (them) as soon as you can and ship them immediately—take the money from my account. I do want them in a hurry and can’t wait for them to arrive. I couldn’t sit here this afternoon and wait to write the letter tonight. Maybe I can add a little to this before time for work. Your letter, although it might lack plenty grammatically, it’s a crackerjack otherwise. It’s a very good one and the kind it’s good to get. Our new home makes me itch for a furlough more than ever but perhaps something will happen that such a thing may be possible, who can tell?

We follow the news carefully day to day and have a large map in the office and the billet to keep up with events all the time. A few days ago we received a permit to buy a radio and you don’t know what it is not to have one until you are without one. Of course there are many radios in the battery but it’s practically impossible to buy one as I suppose it is in the states. Tomorrow is Sunday and that should mean a swim in the surf and day at the beach. I work in an office that doesn’t call for much outdoor exercise and I look forward to the Sundays.

I know this is a short letter and not a good one but I wanted to let you know to go ahead and purchase the books because I don’t think there is any doubt of their worth. Let me know when you send them. Maybe I’ll write you again tonight and get off a better letter.

Love,

31 January 1943

Dear Folks:

Now is a swell time to get off a few lines to you when everything is quiet and another day is done. As usually happens I just got back from the show and saw a World Series game in the newsreels. Today was Sunday but I spent most of it behind a typewriter or in the office. It was a beautiful day to get out with a camera but I didn’t but in lieu of that, here is a picture that was taken when Joe E. Brown was here last week. Of course you can spot him in the center and if you look close in the left upper corner you can see me. I’m standing almost in front of the guy with the open jacket. I think it is a good shot don’t you? The portion of the building in the center background is our projection booth.

In a couple of days I will be on pass and will get the table set you mentioned. I’m glad my bonds have been arriving. I was beginning to get a little worried. Soon I will send you a Honolulu paper. Perhaps you would like one and on the other hand, maybe you can get a little more scope of the islands. I hope you have received the other things by now.

I really can’t think of much to write about except anything very perfunatory (?). Today we had a very swell dinner centered around delicious ham. Last night I attended a party at my old battery and was even called upon to give a speech. It was a good deal with lots of beer and the other accessories of cheese, etc.

Guess this is quits tonight. Wished I could think of something to end this properly but I can’t, but I do think about you all the time.

Love,

15 February 1942

Dear Folks:

I guess I’ve been getting a little lax in my letter writing. Guess I don’t realize it.

Today was Sunday and Gram and Dick came up on the eight o’clock bus but I had to leave for Camp Callan just as they arrived. However I was back at one o’clock so we had plenty of time together. We saw a show and then ate in a restaurant and talked until time for their bus to go back home. I showed Gram around our encampment and even brought her in our tent. She seems to be very happy and healthy. Dick is a little restless not having any work yet but he’ll get on soon and he’ll be a good worker. Suppose they have written all about his offers and courses. If he is not thinking very seriously of going to college I believe he should take advantage of the four year deal. Tool and die making is a very definite profession of its own. A man skilled in that line is usually in demand.

Got all the good cookies nice and fresh. A bunch of chowhounds were here when I opened the package so one can has met its fate. Grandma brought me some apples, some peanuts and popcorn and some cigarettes so my locker is well stocked. When I miss a meal sometimes for any reason such items fill the gap. The bugler’s sister works in a bakery so we get eats from him too.

I remember in one of your letters you wanted me to tell you what I did and how my schedule works. So here goes. First call is at 6:15, reveille at 6:25, and assembly at 6:30. After assembly we fall out until seven when we put on the rest of our clothes and the ambitious ones wash and cleanup. At seven we have breakfast. At seven twenty until 7:40 we have calesthenics or “calahooics” followed by police call at 7:40 and sick call at eight. At 8:00 the ‘work’ of the day begins. Usually the battery will go out on a problem, that is, into the field to simulate firing. However I’m a clerk so I remain here at the camp and loaf around the office tent. At noon chow and at one back to what we are doing. Recall is at 4:45 to get ready for retreat formation at 5:30 followed by chow at six. From then on, time is our own and we are allowed to go to town but not outside the city limits. Taps at eleven. That’s a usual day but interspersed is KP, fatigue, and latrine duty and also guard duty. Guards walk two and sleep four hours for a 24 hour shift.

I have some more pictures I took of around here.

What a blow to the Peters. That’s a terrible tragedy that makes this whole thing seem like a devil’s mad dream.

Suppose Stephensons were struck dumb also.

I’ll write sooner next time. Got my glasses fixed and put in first class shape.

Love,