Dear Folks:
Just returned from church services so have some time before dinner to write to you. The service was a general one and open to all denominations. Haven’t found out anything about Episcopal services. The chapel is quite built with simplicity but dignity, and cost the government twenty five thousand. Overhead in the back is a balcony and a Hammond electric organ that costs plenty. Also the regiment has an orchestra that is really good. The church was well filled and there were a few visitors and fellows with their girlfriends.
Last Friday took quite a little trip and saw a little more of California. A convoy of thirty trucks went to Taft, in the oil fields, to get cargoes of black top used to surface our drill area. As the place is one hundred two miles from here rode most of the time. But got to see some of the big oil fields, and get a glimpse of something outside an army post. The longer I’m here in camp around so many fellows the more it seems that everything and everyone is military. It just seems there isn’t enough people to make up a civilian population.
Yesterday went thru the long nervous ordeal of inspection. About eight officers came thru and all of us acted like we had pokers up our backs and rocks in our mouths. An officer asked a fellow if he shaved the nite before and the poor private answered ‘no’, and the officer retorted ‘no what’, and the private said ‘no blades’. The officer was demanding a ‘sir’ and not this unexpected reply. Our platoon didn’t get first but our battery kept the sign.
Last nite and afternoon did nothing in particular, mostly reading. However did locate Berg after quite a search. He is in the other end of the camp in the infantry. He is coming over this afternoon for a visit.
Wish it was possible for you to be here next Tuesday Armistice Day. Visitors will be given a big show and will eat with us in the mess halls. Also our big coliseum is being dedicated and the field artillery gunners are going to fire the 75’s.
Next week will have all day Saturday off so hope I can hitchhike to San Diego to see Grandma. Couldn’t make it this week. Train service, because of the hills is terribly slow. It takes nine hours to Los Angeles only 200 miles from here. Want to see the Golden Gate in San Francisco sometime before I leave too.
After my radio training, I will be assigned to a tactical combat unit which will be my permanent post. You see, here all of us are trained to set up radio equipment and do not act as a fighter but upon our transfer will become part of a unit that operates exactly as it will in wartime. Boy it does seem like we are getting closer to it all the time. The officers and candre continually impress on us the means of protection to ourselves in case we go into the field. Radiomen operate sometimes near and sometimes far from the front. Some of the last batch of trainees were sent to Alaska. We just as well forget all about that though if we can.
Last week got another shot in the arm (tetanus) and those kids really hit a guy. It lasted only a couple of hours though. By the way when I was waiting for the shot I weighed myself and weighed one hundred forty. I had on my pants and shoes but even at that, I’m doing pretty good—and I’m really getting a tan too. The days are very warm but as soon as the sun goes down it cools off quickly. Last Friday going to the oil fields it was very hot and had my shirt off most of the time. It is hard to imagine that it is almost the middle of November. The grass around our orderly room to mess hall is getting very green and pretty. Also we are setting out small trees and shrubs.
Haven’t heard from Kate for some time and I’m sure it is she that owes the letter. Suppose she will write soon.
I’m thinking or trying to think what to tell you to put in the box and will write you about it. I know one thing right now and that is cookies and homemade candy.
Well better quit now but hope all of you are getting on okay.
All my love,
