Camp life in South Carolina
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310.2.1-4.2016 Transcription
6 Sept 44
Dearest,
I am caught here in a typical
southren [sic] storm of gallons of water
c̅[1] severe wind. I say here—
in a building they call the “Drink Store”
that sells soada fountain articles
plus magazines. I had intended
to start this tonight, but I welcome
this early chance to “talk” to you.
Before I forget——someday
sometime I or you may find it
impossible to phone, telegraph &
maybe even write very much here at Ft. Dickens.
When and if this ever occurs, I
do not know. However, I mention
it just as the most probable
explaination of any future “fade-out”
of our communications (any mode).
There are 1001 things I’d like
to write about but you know the
answer / explaination. BUT they can’t
prohibit this → I LOVE YOU SO, SO, SO!!
[2]
I just played a nickle into “Long Ago &
Far Away.” Geeeeeeee! Gosh it seems
a long time since I heard “Dearly
Beloved – You’re My Everything – Sunday
Monday & Always” —— not to forget
“There Are Such Things”, & others.
I’d rather (& will) talk about
allotments (overseas), war bonds, etc
that is all fixed up, best I just
mention it here to let you know
everything is all fixed up. (I was
told I was foolish for alloting you all but
the sparest spending money, but that’s the
way I want it ‘n the way I love it).
Oh yes, I meant to tell you
on the phone —— I am assigned
as an Anesthetist. Evac hosps[2] are
big enough to have an 2 — one
for each of Surgery “A” & Surgery “B.”
A Viena refugee who got Army
Anesthesia Course [«Ü! 卐!][3] at Mayo
is the other Anesthetist. (P.S. He never
applied for the course).
[3]
(After supper – after storm)
Woe is me! My bed, sheets, matress, &
floor are soaked. Oh yes, guess I
never told you how we live here.
About a ½ mile from Headqrtrs (& work area)
are 70 to 100 huts (H-U-T-S) about 4 ½
paces (just paced it off) square c̅
accommodations for 2 officers
each. Only a screen (door no solid or
lock door) & wide windows on each
side. Well, everybody was ½ mile
or more away when the storm hit.
With this heat wave on, naturally
all doors & windows were wide
open. Most everybodys place got
some water & and a few of ours got
soaked. Anyhooo, it’s a good starter
as I imagine a field outfit is
soaked more than once.
Its hard to put into words
this next thought but I know
you’ll get the thought –– there
never was a “first mother” or “first father” who at sometime or other
[4]
in the childs first months (to years),
didn’t jus feel just overwhelmed
by the work/responsibility/“burden”.
Thus the feeling of b-u-r-d-e-n
has hit over parent to a greater or
lesser degree. Thus it is nothing
to be really ashamed (or appauled)
about.
As to this leave –– there
was an Officers Call, [(meeting)][4] tonight after
supper & the CO. said everyone
who had one, [a leave][5] coming would get
it in the near future. In one or two
ways I can see how mine might
be postponed a short time (I may or may
not have to run through a infiltration course
& a mine field course before I go on leave).
Anyhooo, as I see it, if I will have
12, 13, 14, 15 etc days coming sometime,
the later I can take the days the
better [for Thumper’s[6] (potential) traveling–sake][7].
Soooo, here in recent hours I have
sorta hoped I might be delayed by
the infiltration & mine course ––
[5]
apparently they run the courses only
every so often as they wait until
about 800 are lined up before they
schedule a “run-through”. So, dear,
maybe think a little less pertinently
about that telegraphic “Supposed to
arrive Leominster around Monday”.
(P.S. However, they may just forget about
running me through the course until
I get back from leave. The reason I
“harp” about this so much is that I am
100% prepared/qualified except for these
infiltration & mine field courses –– &
the C.O. said every man should (or must)
be 100% prepared before going on leave. However
they may be not too rigid about this “before”
business).
As yet no mail has arrive[d]
of any type. Nope! Mrs. Nelson airmail
didn’t come here & I certainly hope
it has come there.
Oh yes, when I get to Mass[achusetts] I
want 1 to 2 hours to go over to the
Devens Warehouse #16 to buy certain
things. The warehouses & PXes[8] here
[6]
just absolutely stink as to supply
(let alone the miles away in location).
I’ll hurry over to get this
in the 8:30 P.M send out. You should
have received one sent this morning
in the 8:30 A.M send out. Mail goes
out here 9, 10, or 11 times a day which
I think is swell (I hope its swell).
You & Thumper divey up ––
All my love,
Dave
[1] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[2] Evacuation hospitals.
[3] Bracketed text is part of original.
[4] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.
[5] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret. Brackets are original.
[6] Nickname for their infant son, Terry.
[7] Bracketed text is part of original.
[8] Post Exchanges for shopping.