Letters Home From WW2

Kansas 10:00

Dear Folks,

I am in Goodland, Kansas now, we just got out for some exercise. This is the first we’ve been off of this training since Thursday.

This land is all level, I haven’t seen a hill for a day and a half. We are due in Denver, Colorado  this afternoon. This is certainly nice country. They raise lot’s of wheat here. I’ve seen lot’s of good cattle, and sheep. Nearly every farm house has a wind mill. I work in the kitchen everyday, I’m a waiter. Only have to work about 1/2 an hour every meal. I get all I want to eat. The cook said he would have a good birthday diner for me. If our train had wrecked the other night, my insurance would have come in handy, because I was sleeping in the upper berth.

We are now on the Rock Island R.R. As soon as we get to Denver, we will switch to the Northern Pacific R.R. So, I don’t know if we will go north or west.

We have been in snow ever since we left camp. It is getting thinner here. We are 2 hours behind Pa. time. I never knew the U.S. was so big! If you had 400 acres of this land out there, you certainly could make lot’s of money. There is a house about every 2 miles or so.

We are now going through Kanarado, Kansas.

How are you getting along with your 3 gallons of gasoline? I don’t think I will need any for 2 or 3 years, unless I come home for Christmas (Ha). I just saw a small herd of cattle, only about 200. There is a lot of wheat here that is still in stock that has never been thrashed. It grows a lot taller than ours. The stocks look like corn stocks.

Most of hte boys are from Pittsburgh. One is from Washington, Pa. I don’t know anyone on this train. There are 1,000 of us. Buy, it sure was good to see those Waynesburg boys!

I sent you a letter yesterday.We went through Omaha last night. It is a large town. We are now in Penarado, Colorado.

We are now going through Seibert, Colorado. I will get the porter to mail this for me.

Sunday Afternoon
Just finished dinner, roast beef, salad, corn, coffee, apple, potatoes, etc.

We’re getting close to Denver now. The snow is gradually getting thinner. We’re getting close to the mountains. This place is nothing but pasture. There are lots of cattle here.

We are 2 & 1/2 days from our destination but, don’t know where that is.We will get there about Tuesday. Either California, or Oregon. I will try to mail this in Denver. I write a while, then look at the scenery, then write a little more.

You won’t need to get me a watch because, this is no place for a good watch. I could use a small camera though.

4:30
We are now coming to the Rockie Mountians, and boy are they beautiful. We can see Pikes Peak!

Love,
David

P.S. I hope they don’t load us on a boat!

Ft. Meade, MD.

Dear Folks,

How is everything back in civilization? It’s pretty cold here now. I went to chow a while ago and saw the Wanyesburg bunch that left Wed. I looked them up a while ago, Henry Fonnes & Kleg Kilgore & several guys that graduated when I did. They were the first I’ve seen that I knew.

We were to leave this morning but, didn’t, we will leave tonight at 7:00. I’m affraid we are going south. I don’t know yet whether I’m going to get into the Engeneering Corps or not. I’ve found out that they put you were ever they want to, whether drafted or enlisted. No matter whether you are qualified or not.

Well, I’ll have to close now. Will write as soon as I get to a new camp.

Love,
David

P.S. I got 3 shots in the arm and back a while ago, and boy are they sore!

December 2nd, 1942                                                  Ft Meade, MD.
Dear Folks,                                               4PM

I’m still here but, don’t know how much longer I will be here. Most of our bunch is leaving tonight. I hope I’m one of them! We’re having a snow blizzard, and boy is it cold. There is a bunch leaving for Fla. tonight or tomorrow. I would like to go there but, it is too far from home (mental).

I took three exams last night, and I got my uniform today. I sent my clothes home awhile ago.

                                                              7AM
Just got back from chow & inspection & parade. We are leaving in the morning I guess. Boy have I got a lot of clothes!
2 summer suits
2 winter suits
1 overcoat
2 fatigue suits
5 pairs of underwear
4 handkercheifs
2 hats
2 pair of shoes
1 raincoat
1 canteen & utensils
2 ties and a lot of other junk!

I think we are going south. Tonight was the first we had any time off, so I went to the post exchange, it’s a block from here. Candy bars .03 cents, pop .03 cents, and beer?

I took out a $10,000 policy last night, only $6.50 per month. I will get my picture taken when I am moved. I will get my garrison cap there, and it will cost between $3.00 and $5.00.

Well, that’s all I can think of for now.

Love,
David