HEADING TO CAMP SHANKS IN 7 DAYS
September 25, 1943
Saturday Afternoon
Dear Mother,
Here it is Saturday afternoon and I'm sitting in the corner of my bunk. Most of the boys have taken off for the weekend. I couldn't get a pass as only a few or percentage can go at a time. Nearly every boy wanted to go out this weekend. I may go yet when things quiet down a little. More than one way to get out even if you have to write out your own pass.
Got your letter to-day telling about the sinking sun behind the big tree. Yes, I sure remember that place.
Don't you ever worry about spelling for I could read between the lines even if you left a part of it out.
Ha ha ha said you couldn't tell if the pigs were growing or not. How about the three bears? So everything will be alright if Daddy goes down to see them with you. Thinks a lot about your - your - er - r - r Old Man? Don't blame you, Mom, he's a good egg or scout or any way you put it.
I don't see why someone doesn't drop a line for Grammy York. Hope she's o.k. and I feel her children have used her good and think just as much of her as any of the others.
No, Mom, you didn't tell me about Doris' husband. If he's in the Merchant Marines he sure is making plenty of money. I will say it's a little dangerous. (1 in 26 of Mariners who served aboard merchant ships in World WW II died in the line of duty, suffering a greater percentage of war-related deaths than all other U.S. services.) I bet she has some nice things. You know, Ma, he always spent money on her. I think he'd been OK if she'd been different. I bet June is quite a girl now. It doesn't take many years for them to grow up. Now just listen to this or your Old Maid talk. Where do they live now?
You should have a letter everyday even if it's only a card but I haven't missed a day for more than two weeks. I don't think the mail always leaves on time but you can check the dates.
To-day I also got a couple of papers from home. Maybe later I can find a little more news of home. I read about some people I know that you don't so it helps to add a little more of what's going on at home.
I'm sending Eugene a couple of Camp McCoy papers but don't be mistaken by all the news. As you know they only print the best.
Well, I see the sun is out. Guess I'll look at it before it goes behind the clouds again.
Did Dad get many potatoes this year? About how many cans of things did you put up this year? Have you any wood for this winter? It may be hard to get. I sure hope you have an open winter with little snow or cold weather.
I'm Mad!!! this cold weather have driven the flies inside and they hang around this window in the corner. I don't mind them landing on my face or mouth but when they sh-- in it, I give up. Don't say anything, Mom. I just wrote that for a joke.
Well, I want to wash, shower, and shine up before chow as I may slip out if I can find a way after chow. There goes the sun out of sight. Talking about wash, shower, shave, shine does that make you think? Oh yes, and on top of it all it's Saturday afternoon. (No white shirt here. Oh, for that day.) (Remember in the 1940's both men and women would dress up whenever they went out. They didn't just throw on a pair of jeans and a short sleeve pull over. They might even put on a tie and sports coat.)
Is brother going down to see Grammy to-night. (This would have been his father's mother. She had been married four times. Her first husband died in 1895 after having two boys and a girl. Her last husband died in 1937. She was know as Grammie Mains due to 4th husband. She lived until 1953 at the age of 84.) Tell him the difference between a wolf and a fox is this, a fox sends flowers. Is he able to get any gas now so he can use my car? I hope so.
Don't worry, Mother, everything will be alright. I know you pray every night for me. Anything may happen to change things. Get your rest and don't work too hard. Keep up your courage. To the best Mother in the World.
Love
From Your Son in the U.S. Army
Camp McCoy, Wisconsin
Charles
P. S. Don't forget Dad & Brother.
When you see my Sisters tell
them I always ask for them
and feel I'm part of a family
to be proud of. Charles
^^Sep 24, 1943 Soviet forces reconquers Smolensk a city in western Russia and liberates it Sep 25, 1943.
Battle of Smolensk (1943)
In Conflict and Commerce.
Every Time. Everywhere.
We are the USMMA.
Merchant Marines
