Thursday Feb 25, 1943
Camp McCain Miss.
Dearest Mary,
Well kido, as I said before here I am in the Army – and what a life. I’m getting to like it more every day.
We left Monterey, Calif. a week ago Tuesday. We came through L.A. but I was unable to call you, you see we couldn’t leave the Union Station and were not allowed to use the telephone. I was kinda sore cause I couldn’t, because I told you that I would if I came anywhere near L.A. well that’s the way it goes in the Army you have to take orders or else.
On our trip out here, we covered about 3,000 miles, going through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. I wouldn’t give two cents for any of them, and that goes for Mississippi. All the way out here there wasn’t anything but desert and more desert. We got off the train in New Orleans and were given a two-hour leave – to go see the town, which is very nice, they certainly have a high presence of darkies there, well guess it’s that way all over this part of the country.
As far as military life goes I get up at 5:30 A.M. wash, make my bunk and get ready to stand inspection, we eat about 7:00, after chow which means something to eat, we go to our classes, from there we have physical ed, after that we drill till noon, and again we eat, in the afternoon we work such as cleaning the barracks or keeping our area clean. In the evening we fallout for Retreat in full dress uniform, retreat means putting out flag to bed, it really is a colorful site Mary, all of the men standing at attention and saluting our flag as it is lowered from the mast, and after retreat we eat once again, and from that time on our time our own.
After 12 weeks basic training here I have my chance to apply for the Air Corp, and this time I’m going to make it, although it’s up to my commanding officer to give me a transfer, you see Mary so far I’m in the 87th Division Battery A of the 335th Field Artillery that is to man big guns behind our infantry. They took us out today and showed us the guns we are to fire, and they are really something.
Well Mary that’s about enough about my army life what about you, how’s the job? Still working as hard as ever? I’ll bet your going right ahead in that office you work in huh, that’s the girl keep it up.
How’s your Mom and Pops? Say hello to them for me.
Well Mary, it looks as if I’ll have to close, the lights just went out in the barrack, one of the fellows is holding a flashlight on the table so I can finish this letter to you.
Hope to hear from you soon Mary and I’ll do the same.
Love,
Bob