The first major letter we get is 3 months after the going away party in September at Dorothy and her mother’s house. Johnny is chilling in Monterey, after what I assume is some form of basic training, and apparently just fucking loves it. The food, the clothing, the rooms. All top notch and swell. I love the idiom. It’s the end of 1942 so I’m picturing all of this happening in sepia tone too with zippy music. Sounds like he also figured out if you do stupid things in the Army, they make you run. True to form, Clem Zarconi makes his first appearance as does Grandma’s brother Bill. No idea who Harold is. It’s interesting to see Grandpa’s military career starting out. Apparently, Johnny had some experience in a laundry which probably served him better than if he had experience driving tractors or digging ditches. Everything seems rosy and hopeful and then you get to the end. “Well, I hope you have had a nice Christmas, and keep sending the men.” It took me a minute to figure out what he was saying. Dorothy worked in the dept who sent out the draft notices to all the eligible men in the Bay Area. That had to have been a gut-wrenching job. Knowing that some of these kids, maybe names she recognized, would never come back. I had asked her a little about it before she passed. Yes, it was hard but you did what had to be done, she said and then changed the subject.
Dear Dorothy,
Well here I am a free man (Can’t get used to saying soldier) after three hectic days. I got “shots”, uniforms, and plenty of mustering. I have had lots of good eats and am just catching up on my sleep. The first two nights we only had about 4 hours sleep each nite due to the bulky food (which is really good) and the pace we were put through. All my clothes fit surprisingly good for the way they give them out. Today I went to work in the warehouse giving out field jackets in about 6 different sizes to the new men. It was really a snap. So far this Army is tops as far as I’m concerned. Most of the men have all had a “little walk” but I have got out of it, I’m not sorry. We don’t have time to get lonesome we are kept so busy. I have been put in a new barrack and it is really swell. I phoned home Wed. and everything is O.K. now. I hope Clem comes home for Christmas. When I went for my interview I didn’t put down for my special spot, but from the looks of things I’ll either be in a laundry or else I’ll be in the field. I don’t know how I came out in the exam but I guess I’ll know before I leave which should be Sat. I think we’re going east. I guess you and your mother feel better since you heard from Bill, he should be used to the Navy by now. If Harold comes down here he should be in for a swell time if he relaxes and be patient. I find it a lot of fun. Well, I hope you have had a nice Christmas, and keep sending the men. I might see you Sat (maybe) if we go through Oakland. Until next time be good and don’t go through any signals.
Love Johnny
P.S. Say “hello” to your Mother and Bill.
Harold McKay was a friend of Dad's from Balboa high in SF. Taking a walk was marching.
Also adding "tops" to my daily vocab.