Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST SEVENTY (When Will My Cousin Go Over the Atlantic) 9 SEPTEMBER 1943

23 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVING AT CAMP SHANKS

September 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

Another day gone by so before going to bed I'll write as I always feel better after sending home a few lines. I know you're always watching the mailbox for mail the same as I do.

Before writing anymore guess I'll tell you what I've just done.

It was about 7:15 and I had just taken a small package of pictures over to the orderly room. The sun was low and red in the West as I have told you for the last few days it has been just like fall. I had just got back to my bunk when in came Clarence Hanscom to ask me to go with him while he got some meat ready for to-morrow. You know he cooks in the 12th Field Artillery Battalion. He is in the Second Infantry Division but in a different outfit than I. I told him I had to write home first. "Well" he said, aren't you hungry?" So over I went. I stayed with him until about 9:30 then we went up in his room for about half an hour. Did we eat cooked eggs, drank 1/2 quart of milk and I took over that jar of cream spread. I feel just like a good night sleep. Think I'll take a shower first.

Cliff said Warren Knight (his cousin) was home. Gee, he gets home every six months. When will he go across? Is he still in Mississippi?

I am sending home some pictures after I had the package all done up I found a few more, so will send them in an envelope. How did my pictures in Portland come out?

How are Joe and Helen making out. Gee, I wished them good luck, hope they'll always be happy. Not much news so guess I'll say good night. Love to all.

Charles