June 29, 1942 - Arrived in This Sad Place

Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’ve finally arrived in this sad place in California. I’ve got lots to tell so I’ll being with what my address is. As far as I know my address is 5th Field Hospital, Camp Young, Indio California. A.P.O 351

I left Beaumont School at 5:30 Saturday evening in an open truck in a rain storm that lasted 5 minutes. Just long enough to get us all soaking wet. Our train which was supposed to leave El Paso at 7:35 never did get in until 11P.M. Then instead of riding first class we were hooked on to a troop train. It was the hottest and worse train I’ve ever ridden on. Finally I arrived in Indio to be greeted by a tiny town of about 2000 people. There was no one there to meet us so we had to wait until we could get in touch with the camp. They arrived about 8 and bundled us into trucks. We had to travel 26 miles into the dessert to get to camp. I’m really in the army now 26 miles away from town and no busses that got there either.

About 10 P.M. we piled into camp. We then proceeded to eat our first meal since 12 noon. We had to eat out of doors and out of mess kits to bout. We then were assigned to tents and issued folding cots and two blankets, and no pillows. I was so tired that even that didn’t phase me. I just went to bed and had a fitful night sleep.

I just wish you could see what I’m going through now. I gripped before but as I am now beginning to think I was in paradise before. I’m living in tents, eating out of mess kits, sleeping on cots, showers and bathrooms about a quarter of a mile away.

It is hotter than hell and please excuse the word as it is typical I have to use it. You’ve heard of the dessert heat well thats what it is. I can’t tell you in word but we are fed salt tablets to keep our body balance of salt. I can sum it all up by saying I’m one sad fellow and let it go at that. I sure got myself in some deal from dear old Beaumont.

One unit is a field hospital and it is now in the process of being formed. I understand that we are supposed to go on maneuvers the later part of this month. I can get no definite information as no seem to know what’s going on around here not even the officers.

In fact we are doing nothing but sitting around here doing nothing. I don’t get the idea of this outfit at all. It could possibly mean that we are getting ready for overseas duty. I hope not but it’s my duty and if I must, I must.

I guess the idea of a furlough is out right now. It will take a good four days to get home and I can’t get one for that long. Even if I could it would cost about $100 to make it back and forth. It wouldn’t be worth that sum for so short a time. I’m just forgetting about the whole thing. I’ll come home when I get a good chance but not before. I’m going to have to keep the old chin up and keep plugging. I don’t like it but I’m doing my part.

I got paid Saturday $19 after I paid my debts I had $7 left. In about a week you could send me some money if you wish. I don’t believe I’ll have a chance to spend it here. I intend to get in Los Angeles for a weekend if I can it is only about 160 miles from here.

I’ll write again later.

Love
Bob