POST FOUR (Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Sore Arms) 25 Dec 1942

                                           

                                     Camp Devens, Massachusetts

Dec 25, 1942

Dear Mother, Dad, Helen and Eugene,
     My arm is feeling better. Now it is my left one. With two more shots to go. Oh well, it's all part of the army and I can take it if the rest can. The only trouble is they all aren't able to. The next morning after arriving, three fell flat at 4 o'clock in the morning when we lined up to start our day's work. We landed at camp about 5 o'clock. {Knowing Uncle Charlie left Portland, Maine on December 22nd, I would assume this is the afternoon of the 22nd.} Checked in had chow and a few other things, up to 9. Went to bed for the night. At 10 they called us out for a jab in each arm and a check up. Got to bed at 12:30 up at 4 {23rd}
On the go all the next day. I.Q. test and classification after our test had been ranked on an electric ranking machine. My interviewing officer gave me a tip and a swell write up. He said he knew my rank in the test but was not allowed to tell me. Here's what he said, " I am going to write you up for all I can. You have great mechanical ability and had higher rank than some of the college fellows."
I may go to school, not bad for an old hick {age 27} from the sticks of Maine. Some day I am coming home and when I go down to S.D. Warren {paper mill in Westbrook, Maine where he had been working before entering the army} I'll show them a little. I'll make them sit up. Maybe they won't think I'm such a damn fool after all. I can't help it, but I'd like to make one person regret. Haven't much more time before bed. It's been a little quiet here today but a big day tomorrow. Wish I could write to Polly {girlfriend} but I just haven't the time. Work from 5 to 7 Thursday on duty. What a hard day. But I still have more backbone than some of these babies and I mean that (a big baby). You should see them. By the looks of the ink and mistakes guess I'm tired. Hope you are all well.
Don't worry Ma. Don't write because --- I think I know something but I cannot tell. It's one of those military secrets you're not suppose to write. But --- I may ship out anytime. Get it? Tried to send you a telegram today but couldn't make it. Too many ahead and I had no time to wait. Hope you had a Merry Xmas and will have a Happy New Year. 
           Love from your boy in the Service
                                  Charlie xx
P.S Hope Dad's OK. Don't worry, Cheer up. Keep smiling. I'm OK.

{Enclosed was this Christmas Menu brochure and Uncle Charlie wrote on the back the following words.}
Christmas dinner at Camp Devens, Mass. 12-25-42. All chow is not like this but thanks, Mom, for bringing me up not to be fussy. It's a big help in this man's army. One fairs kind of slim if he doesn't like this or that. You know, Mother, I never kicked. Some things aren't so tasty as your cooking but -------- I'm o.k.
                                      Charlie

Christmas Menu

Inside menu

Fort Devens Entrance

Fort Devens Barracks and Chapel

S.D. Warren Paper Mill, Westbrook, Maine, where Uncle Charlie Worked

##Did you know? During World War II, as an alternative to rationing, Americans planted “victory gardens,” in which they grew their own food. By 1945, some 20 million such gardens were in use and accounted for about 40 percent of all vegetables consumed in the U.S.

In the earliest days of America’s participation in the war, panic gripped the country. If the Japanese military could successfully attack Hawaii and inflict damage on the naval fleet and casualties among innocent civilians, many people wondered what was to prevent a similar assault on the U.S. mainland, particularly along the Pacific coast.

This fear of attack translated into a ready acceptance by a majority of Americans of the need to sacrifice in order to achieve victory. During the spring of 1942, a rationing program was established that set limits on the amount of gas, food and clothing consumers could purchase. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit to gas, tires, clothing and fuel oil. The United States Office of War Information released posters in which Americans were urged to “Do with less–so they’ll have enough” (“they” referred to U.S. troops). Meanwhile, individuals and communities conducted drives for the collection of scrap metal, aluminum cans and rubber, all of which were recycled and used to produce armaments. Individuals purchased U.S. war bonds to help pay for the high cost of armed conflict.

RATION BOOKS FROM UNCLE CHARLIE'S PARENTS

  ## Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse