March 1, 1942 - Getting in Good Shape

Co. B 2 Plat.
53 MRTC
Sunday Morning

Dear Mom and Dad,

I received your letter Friday and as I told you in my last letter I’m going to write more or less on schedule. I received a card from Mrs Dever and letter from Mary R & Emily. It sure feels good to get mail as it keeps me in touch with civilization.

My morale has picked up now and I don’t mind it anymore. True most of the stuff they teach us is trying for anyone with intelligence. However half of the people are not intelligent and there is a reason for their simplification. I just take it in one ear and let it out the other. I worried about it for awhile but I have passed that stage now.

I’m really feeling fine and am getting in good shape. We have exercises every morning for a half hour, like marching so it get you in shape. I go to bed every night at 10PM and get plenty of sleep. I eat at regular times. The food isn’t really too bad. I get plenty of it and it is a well-balanced meal. I’ve developed a terrific appetite again.

Speaking of food I was on KP yesterday. I didn’t do anything bad everyone has to do it at least once. I managed to get off easy by getting a special detail job. I worked on a truck getting a special detail job. I stayed out of the kitchen until after 3 o’clock. It was a lot easier job than KP. Consequently I only had to work for one meal. Even just working one meal isn’t easy. There are 8 KPs for about 200 men. Your have to wash dishes, clear tables, set them, clean tables, scrub and mop the floor after every meal. So you can see I was lucky to miss most of it.

Today is a day to loaf. We work six days a week and it always feels good to loaf for one day. Its raining today and the place is a sea of mud. I’m just going to stay in most of the day and relax. I have a few letters to write so I’m doing that now. I found out where the USO building is. Vin and I are going to take a walk down to see what its like. They claim it is very nice so we’ll see.

I’m going to the show tonight to see “How Green Was My Valley”. I bought a book of ten tickets for the show for $1.40. It normally costs 20 cents a show so you see extra shows for your money. They’re good in any camp. I saw “HM Pullhorn Esq.” too and I thought it was pretty good.

I forgot to tell you in my last letter to send me my moccasins so well you please do it. They will be very useful to use as bedroom slippers.

I’ll write you again on Tuesday Evening.

Love
Bob