Tues. Eve.

5:00 P.M.

Dearest Sweetheart,

Well – we just got another bust on the nose – the navy has just come out and said no 1^st class Petty Officer ratings will be given in the P.L. school because all the other schools or most of them are 16-20 week and the boys graduate as 3^rd class Petty Officers. Now isn’t that something. 1^st place Sept. 1^st they discontinue C.P.O. rating, Nov. 1^st – no one can come into P.L. school as 3^rd class P.O. and now – no 1^st class P.O. ratings will be handed out. What to hell next? I never saw anything as lousy. Damn such work. You work your fool head off and get nothing for it. Since that are trusting us this way it just about takes the guts out of you. I pray that something out of such a dark picture – will come out of it that will be something. I predicted this a week ago. So, you are lucky to have a 4C the way things are going. At least they can’t kick us out. They draft men – they encourage school – then what kicking around you get for accepting. So much for this set – up. Let us talk about you.

I am happy that church was so nice and people feel the way they do both Samburg and Shamokia – but guess I’ll never get anywhere in the Navy except the lowest place. When the boys come home – I’ll just be a door mat for them all. Well – if that is the way – that is the way.

Yes – I guess things were blue in church if it was a memorial service. Remember me to all the people who ask. I know you are but to justify you – I say this to you - honey – girl.

The restaurant must have been quite a reunion. I am sad honey if these people stay this way that you will be happier having you own home. The radio programs made me homesick – I am glad to tell me because it feels good to know some families experiences still exist. Here everything is new.

Chow time –

Well honey I got to the candy store, for the 2^nd time since I have been here. It is very different to get in, so long is the line.

I got two grand letters to-day and by honey – I drank every word. Really I am so anxious for your letters that I find I get growly about it. It is terrible to be so anxious but what can you do. Penned up in this school.

These letters have not been the most happy and really honey, I am learning an awful lot. Rationing and headaches. I have a notion to just get out of it all Dear. Right now – we are trembling. Can you imagine me doing forward, backward, log roll, foot – ball roll and other ones. Boy – they pack us there,

Sick – I don’t stop long enough to catch anything. I use and R. and S. capsule everyday and that seems to help a.k. when my throat is scratchy I use Vick’s and if my nose starts, Benzedrine inhaler. I haven’t used any pills yet. We are subject to changes in temperature in 2-4 days this way.

4:00 – 55 degrees

4:30 to 5:30 – as cold as it is and exercises in shirt

22 degrees sleeves

6:00 to 6:30 chow – 22 degrees. P-coats.

Swimming at 10:00 A.M. Dining room window up – water cold. 22 degrees today. Standing at meals is to 30 mins out in cold. And many other times too.

107 out of 600 P.L. men in Hospital. One man above me in bed 3 days – temp. 103. Man on bunk over – above gone to Hospital. Man one bunk over below – 103 temp. 3 days. We have lost four men from our squad to-date because of Hospital workers. Usually – 8-10 men go over.

We had a class today on the Navy way of conducting Calisthenics, one on War Orientation where we discussed the threats of war - and one class on the org. of the ship and drilled for 2 hours.

So Ann is up a tree- boy – she better plug that shut or call the other one off. Sally – but she must be wide open.

No – honey – there is no use to come Sunday. When they say quarantine I guess they mean it.

I got the F.A. book o.k. Bay – I have looked it over already.

Honey – girl – I keep going – and watch my step and do it when I think it counts most. The worst part: the Navy swimming test. I have to jump off the 5-10-15-and 20 foot tower – there is a 25 foot one. It isn’t bad. Really – I have not minded any of them. They show you how – and then you do it. You are not afraid because they show you how. I must study. It is 8:00 and I want to get some work done. We get up at 4:15. I have my work done so – I will sign off.

Loving Thoughts-

Alden

xoxoxox

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo