Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST THIRTY-EIGHT (Lightning Strikes Tragedy) 30 May 1943

May 30, 1943

Sunday - afternoon

Dear Mom,

Here I am in my tent. It is still raining outside. Gee, what a week we have had. Just one day it didn't rain and then it had to rain after chow that night. I have not got a cold out of it and feel O.K. in health. The only thing is that everything you have is either wet or damp. Even the envelopes get so damp that they stick.

Here is some news not so pleasant to write about. Friday night we had a bad thunderstorm, I mean bad. We were among the hills and it seemed the shower was right overhead. A bolt of lightning struck back in the hills, then came rolling down the wood road. One fellow said it looked like a big ball of fire, blue red in color with a long tail behind it. Nearly a dozen tents along the road felt it some. I was camped over to the left. It killed one boy turning him all purple, paralyzed another from his waist down, threw two out of their tents taking tents and all, made one fellow's jaw swell up and several were out of their heads for a long time. Saturday was a nice day but we had another storm even worst than Friday night. I didn't hear of anyone being hurt last night. The storm started about 10 pm and not letting up until 4 in the morning. It has been raining all day.

We have a 10, 15, 18, and 25 mile hike to make next week. The 25 mile hike has to be done in 8 hours or less. I have a can of foot powder and try to take care of my feet. These shoes weigh a ton. It's a forced march against time and I bet a lot will fall out. I feel in shape to make it O.K. Hey! brother how about coming along just for the trip? Ha Ha, maybe I'll wish he would come only with a car. Tell sister that's good for fat people.

I got the Sunday paper yesterday and see Raymond Jr. girl's picture. Did she go to Normal School? (It was formerly a school or college for the training of teachers.) What's the trouble with the top of the hill? Lucky I'm not home. Just think an old maid getting -----er-r-r. (Old maid was a nick name he called himself since he was 27 and not married.)

Did any one from home go to see that Jap sub? I would have gone if I was home.

Did you notice in last Sunday's paper those servicemen in a New York Service Club trying out the new bunks? Those bunks are just like we have back at camp only we don't have a ladder to climb in with.

Oh dear, Oh dear, Gee what am I going to do? They say ice cream back at camp has been rationed. Also, food at the P.X. What next?

Don't know if I told you but I got a nice letter from Frank Hall.

To-day is Memorial Day. Did they have anything at home?

We were suppose to go into summer khaki June 1 but due to cool weather the date been moved ahead indefinitely. I really don't care about the summer suits. They don't look so dressy. So light, it will be hard to keep them clean.

One of the boys just put his head inside my tent and gave me your letter, also sister's. Gee, it helps a lot to have mail come in. Seems to me it took that record a long time to get home. I wrote a letter and told you the date to put on it. I don't see why the record won't play. I tried it out on an electric Victrola and it played swell. Why don't you try a fine needle?

Now, Ma, what did you say about 8 or 9 shirts a week? I think it was about 6 or 7.

I'm sorry about Mrs. Wilcox's grandson. She was telling me about him just before I left. I hope your box comes before I leave the field as it will taste good here in this cold and rain. Please don't put yourself out so much, Mom. I know how you feel. It's hard for you to get things. Still I like to get them. (Still raining)

Well, Dad, I hope you are still keeping your courage up. Remember, Dad, I shook hands with you last.

Mother Dear, guess I'll call this a letter. Keep your chin up like a lot of other Mothers are doing. Good night to all.

Love Charles