Friday

 

Dear Mother and Dad,

            This is the first chance I’ve had to write this week.  They keep me so damned busy on K.P.  I don’t have a minute off.  We are back on our old schedule the K.P.s have to get up at 4:45. Its sure cold & dark, and we have to make our beds and get dressed in the dark.  I’ve only got 6 more days after today.  I hope they go fast.

            How do you feel mother?  Are you taking care of yourself?  What kind of Church Work are you doing?  I haven’t had an opportunity to get into town for church, but I’m going when I get off K.P.

            Well Dad I’m reading the Soldier’s Medical Manual by Tuttle, the official Army book.  The sergeant’s exam is coming up soon & I want to know a few things about the way the army does things.  The mortuaries up here do lots of advertising over the radio and in the newspaper.  All claiming they can give the best for the least.  No fooling I do quite a bit of reading and thinking, so maybe when the time comes for me to take somebody’s place up the ladder I’ll be ready.

            Did you think that I could even stay home- away from town? Well, I didn’t, but since I left home I have only been to town twice, so how’s that for staying away from the bright lights?  You had better have a copy of your speech to me by Jan 1st 1941 also!

            I’m glad you got to talk to Grant, Mom.  How do you feel about me in the army now?  Do you mean to tell me that Vi____ is going to join the army?  Is he going to get in the signal Corp.?  And is he going to Ft. Douglas or does he dare go that far from home?  I hope he doesn’t come up here.

            We ought to be on our way someplace sometime in January.  It will sure be nice to get out of the rain.  Maybe it will be warm where I go.

            I’d sure like to be home for this Christmas.  It’s going to seem funny to be away for the first time. 

            I’m going to close now and mail this airmail, so you’ll get it before Wed.

                                                           

 

All my love,

                                                                                    Joe.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Sat.

P.S. I just got it from a fellow who works over at H.Q. We are going down to San Luis Obisco, Texas.  Same place as the Utah National Guard.  Maybe I’ll see people from home.

            The guys up here call me Blondie, Whitey, specs, Beck-Joe.  Some of the tall ones call me shorty.  Sometimes I don’t know who they are talking to.  They call K.P., also.

                                                           

Love,

                                                                                    Joe.