April 12, 1944 and April 13, 1944
Wed. Eve.
Hello Folks,
This will be a very scribbly letter because I am standing in the barber shop line and writing it. This will give me something to do while I am waiting and also will get this letter off my chest.
By the looks of things I may have an hour to wait.
Well we had our big parade today. We practiced on it Monday and thought it would be pulled off yesterday but it was called off till today. The occasion was that Sec. of War Stimpson was here to inspect the 87th division.
I can say that I got to see the “old boy” but it was from such a distance that I wouldn’t about to know him from anyone else.
We didn’t parade so long but we stood in ranks almost all afternoon so I am at least as tired as I would have been if I had worked.
This afternoon we also took a test to see if we are ready to start training with the regular company. It was fairly easy and I don’t have much doubt about passing. If we made it OK we go in with the company next week.
About the only other thing besides the usual run of things that has happened was a night problem last night. We got back a little before ten o’clock so it wasn’t so bad.
Well I am back in the barracks again. I didn’t write all the time I was in line but I got to talking and just couldn’t get to writing again. I got my hair cut so now I can pass inspections for at least another week. That is one of the worst things about it here. They have so many inspections that it isn’t funny. Every night at retreat they inspect our rifles. I used to more or less enjoy retreat but here it is a worrisome thing.
The weather has got pretty snappy again. The wind was blowing hard enough that we had to wear our overcoats to the parade.
It’s not too late but I can’t hardly keep my eyes open.
Goodnight with Love,
Donald
April 13, 1944
Thursday Night
Dear Folks,
That was such a sad letter last night that I want to let you hear from me again tonight. It will be a very great miracle if I should get a chance to write tomorrow because as you know all Friday night must be spent scrubbing, etc. getting ready for Saturday’s inspection. I washed my ammunition belt and field jacket tonight so that they will be sure to be dry by Saturday.
We are going to go out on the range tomorrow to fire some sort of a combat problem. We are going to get up at 5:15 in the morning so by the time we get to bed tomorrow night it will be a pretty long day.
It looks like those of us that just came into the company are going to be about the entire company in a few days. About 4 out of 5 of the old men have been taking examinations for the last couple of days in preparation for shipment to the P.O.R. (Port of Replacement). They will be placed into units somewhere on the other side.
You can easily imagine what one of the great topics of conversation is now. “When are we going to get our furloughs?” Most of the fellows either haven’t been in as long as I have or they have been in school and got furloughs through that. So I hope when the time comes that I’ll have as good a chance as anyone. I don’t have enough news to start another sheet. So –
Love,
Donald