Howdy Folks,
Fall is in the air like a pumpkin spice enema dragging a bolt of grey flannel behind it. I love this time of year. Bring on the goddamned candy corn and Stove-top stuffing. I finally get to rip out the summer vegetables that we all got sick of. I’ll spend the next three months over-planning a garden to grow a wide variety of amazing things that no one in this house will eat next year. And doing these letters. And getting tattooed. j/k My mother-in-law, Sue, likes the sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Anyhow, onto our letter for today.
January of 1943 and everything still seems to be clicking for Johnny. The opening scene is a little ominous. Apparently, there isn’t much to do in a city the size of San Francisco because nearly every male Dorothy’s age has been sent to war. I tend to think the women of SF were like, “jfc, we can finally do shit without getting hassled constantly.” Not surprisingly, Grandpa shows early evidence of his love for the apple, mentioning them twice here. And the dude was in a band! I assume he was one of the “harpists”. I vaguely remember him having a harmonica. Or he sang, since Aunt Mary wasn’t there to give him shit and blame Dorothy if his voice broke. I’m dying to know what they played.
My Darling Dorothy,
I got your letter today and I was surprised to hear from you so soon. I guess that there isn’t much to do in town as I imagine all the boys should be well cleaned out by now. Out of a squad of 250 in our company there are about 50 from No. Calif and they are mostly all married. Tell Hal it shouldn’t be long before he is in.
About that A&P set-up. I’m not in it. I’m classified as 104 or If I finish my course in Laundry School successfully, I come out a Master Sergeant. But that is on paper only. It rarely happens because I have talked to some of the instructors here and they told me that if you know one part of the business, they put you on the “cadre” (or permanent party) as an instructor. 103 is just another soldier so I didn’t mind so much. It is Mobile Laundry work but most of us will see foreign service.
We have our complete unit and we started our basic training Monday, and it is really a workout!! We don’t have much time to ourselves as we clean the room, rifles and a million other things. I had my first turn at K.P. yesterday and it wasn’t bad all you do is wash dishes and eat the left-overs and all the coffee you can drink. (I got 6 apples out of the deal) the honest way of course. We don’t go out much but we have quite a haywire orchestra. One fellow bought a “gitter” so we have 2 “harps” + 2 “gitters” (we’re not bad)
It’s a lot of fun here getting up a 5:30 and the temp of 20f. then we go to exercise, eat, drill, 10:00 classes in modern warfare, 12:00 lunch (chow) then at 1:00 more drill 2:30 classes, 5:00 retreat (something I really like for the ceremony) 5:30 “chow” 6:15 Mail 7:00 clean barracks (also done at 6A.M.) 7:30 rifles. 8 shave and clean shoes that were used that day and after that if you want to you can go to the show, service club, etc. (except town and there isn’t much there) There is plenty to do here. We have basketball, fights, wrestling, swimming, bowling, and 3.2 beer (damn) I take coke. I believe the articles that the favorite drink of solgiers is Coca-Cola. The only thing I don’t like as I’ve said before is the wind. You have to be here to appreciate it. One minute it is sunny and calm, the next, the beginning of another Midwest dust bowl, and cold beside. So much for that.
By the way, thanks for the address as I was going to ask for it in this letter. They are the only one I haven’t written to. It’s funny how a person when away from home will write. I don’t think it’s loneliness or being homesick, although I’ve seen some swell cases here, (and they don’t get any sympathy) but due to the fact that you continually wonder what is happening at home. I know when I see a vacant stare in a fellow’s eyes that he is home mentally, but here physically and that goes for all of us. (Time out for my apple + cigarette) Most of the boys are in bed with their first shot and they all fell feverish. I got mine last week and went out to the service club that night and got a cold but am O.K. now. One of the fellows who went out has a bad cold and is in the hospital now. I got one in the right arm today but it is very mild. I’m over the tough ones. Praise the Lord.
Tell your mother I’ll write to her later in the week when I get more time. 9:15 now and I’ll also get Mrs. McKay and your grandmother. I know you can’t believe it. I almost forgot to tell you that I signed up for O.C.S. this evening. I got to watch myself from here on as I’ll be a marked man. Well darling. I’ll close now and don’t forget to clear the garage doors, be a sister to Harold, and do your good deed for the day.
Lots of Love,
Johnny
XXX
"... be a sister to Harold, and do your good deed for the day. Lots of Love..." 😭