February 6, 1943 - The first time I ever shot a gun and I’ve been in the army a year. . .

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m sending you a clipping from our paper, the Tale Spinner as undoubtedly it will interest you.  They won’t let us send the papers out anymore so that why I’m not sending it to you anymore.  The news in the clipping was a shock to me as it means we have to hand around here for about a week and probably do all sorts of silly things.

We are not all finished school except for one subject, physics, which ends Monday.  That means a week to hang around waiting for shipment.  I have some good news for you in the line of school work.  My final in maps and charts was a snap.  If I didn’t get at least 95 I’ll kick myself.  I think my average for this course will be in the 90’s.  Then I go exempt from code today and don’t have to go to that anymore.  That means I have only one hour of school and I have that for two days.  Speaking of that I need a 37 in that to pass the course.  I know I can get that with plenty to spare.  If I don’t make any silly mistakes I can get a 100 in the final as I know the work.  So now I can say that there is nothing between me and primary except time.  It sure is a load off my mind to have the school work behind me, now I can relax a little.  It lifts the tension to know it is all behind you.

As far as where I will go I haven’t the slightest idea.  I can be shipped anywhere in the Gulf Coastal area. The part about Cuero in there (paper) doesn’t concern me but a special group of officers here who are taking flight training.  I’m ready to go anywhere, it really doesn’t make much difference anymore.  The chances are that I’ll probably stay somewhere in Texas for my flying training.

I had a letter from my old girlfriend in New Paltz Kay today.  She was telling me about the Delphic banquet this year.  It was held this year at the Lorraine, on the Highland road about 4 miles outside of town.  What really got me about the whole thing was that mode of transportation to it was a moving van.  Rather unique don’t you think?

Tomorrow morning I’m going down to the rifle range and shoot a tommy gun (machine gun).  I don’t think I told you but I shot the pistol about a week ago.  The first time I ever shot a gun and I’ve been in the army a year believe it or not.  It is interesting and I’ll get a kick out of shooting the machine gun.

It won’t be long before another open post.  I’m really looking forward to it.  I guest I’ve told you I have a date with Peg again.  Then on Wednesday we are have a dance for our group in the Service Club.  Peg is coming out to go to that with me.  So you can see I have a few interesting things coming up in the next week. 

This has been the longest letter I’ve written in sometime.  It sure is good to have the time to relax a little.  Believe me I haven’t had a moment I can really call my own in the last two months here.  Perhaps things will be a little different from here in, but I know that I will be busy from here in too.  Oh well, I’m learning something I want to do.  Deep down I wouldn’t give this up for anything except the end of the war.  That’s all for now.

All my love

Bobby

February 5, 1943 - Map & Charts Test Tomorrow

Friday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Your letter of Thursday night arrived today and I was glad to hear from you.  Last night I wrote you in a blue vein but as I said I snapped out of it today.  Of course the situation still exists but it doesn’t bother me anymore.  You know how those things come and go.

You mentioned Readers Digest I think I told you I finally received the February issue.  I’d appreciate it if you would keep them informed of my changes of address as I will be moving from spot to spot about every few months until I finally get through with the deal.  They will get my changes quickly if you do it, I think because I’d probably forget to notify them.

I take a final exam in maps and charts tomorrow.  This has been an easy course but it also has been a mixed up deal.  If I hadn’t had the stuff in college before I’d be completely lost.  However, as it is I’m having it pretty easy.  I’ll be glad when Monday rolls around and I got this school work all behind me.  It is only a matter of three days now before we finish up.  Then anytime after Wed. we will be up for shipment.  I hope it comes soon as I’d really like to get to Primary school and actually taking off into the air.  I just can’t conceive it as yet but I have confidence that I can do it.  However, the next few months will tell the story.  Keep those fingers crossed.

Well I hope by the time you receive this all your troubles will be cleared up.  Things have a way of coming and going, I know – I heard from Russ today and he is very disoriented and I can’t say I blame him.  He is trying to get into O.C.S. in Sydney, Australia.  I hope he can make it.  That’s all for now I’ll have to study a little on my maps and charts and see if I can’t get a good grade tomorrow.

All my love

Bobby

February 4, 1943 - Disgusted

 

Thursday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m in again and a little disgusted with the whole set up.  I guess that is to be expected I suppose once in a while.  Its just that things are getting in an awful state around here.  Out tactical officers are on us from morn to night and it sure makes life unpleasant.  You just can’t get a minute of peace at all and that’s what’s getting me down.  Thing will look up again tomorrow as usual.  It is not only me that is disgusted but the whole bunch.  It is quite a time since I’ve written you in a blue vein.

Well it won’t be long now before we move out.  Just about a week if they ship us out on schedule.  But as my luck in the army runs, we’ll probably hang around here for awhile.  I’ll be really glad to move, mainly because of the flying, but because too, I get out of this deplorable situation.

I’m still looking forward to open port on Tuesday.  It helps make things a little easier to have something like that to look forward to.  Peg is a swell kid and I enjoy myself with her.  It is a shame we can’t get out more often but then –

My subjects are doing fine.  I have enough points now so I can relax if I want.  I only have to get about 20 in my final exams to pass the course.  Naturally I’ll get more and try the best I can but it is nice to know you have that margin.  I’d like to tell you the whole story of this place sometime.  I don’t have the time now perhaps someday when I see you I’ll give you a synopsis of it all.

I better quit now as you can see I’m disgusted.  I’ll try to do better tomorrow.  Incidentally I received a book from Mr. Blackshear and I appreciate it.  Thank him for it in person.  I’ll write him as soon as I get the time.

All my love

Bobby

February 2, 1943 - Date with Peg

 

Tuesday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

I came home from open post last night and your letter was waiting for me.  I was glad to hear from you.  I had another wonderful time thanks to Peg.  It is really nice to be able to go out with a girl for a change.  Peg even let me drive her car which gave me a terrific boot.  The first I’ve driven since I was home on furlough seven months ago.  I met Peg at 5PM and we went out and bowled a few games and then out to “The Tower” for the evening.  It really hurts to get by 10 o’clock as it doesn’t give you much of an evening but that’s the way it is.  I really had millions of fun.  I’m now looking forward to next Tuesday and our last open post.  On next Monday we finish our school so I will have not a care on my mind except going to primary school.  That should be a happy day.  It won’t be long now.

So my old girl friend Mary got married.  She’s a good kid and I hope she gets the best.  Joe (the boy she married) is a darn nice guy.  I guess they’ll get along fine.  I think she’s crazy getting married at a time like this but she should know what she wants.  So perhaps she’ll be able to find a little happiness.

I get so darn disgusted with way this place is run that it drives you crazy.  I told you about our poor cadet officers.  It just seems that it gets worse everyday.  On well it won’t be long now so I can put up with it but it irks you.

I received a very nice letter from Mr Blackshear today.  I had written to him previously and it was a wonderful response.  I intend to keep up a correspondence with him as much as I can find time for.  He really is a wonderful man.

That’s all for now.  Write me soon.

All my love

Bobby

February 1, 1943 - Probably Texas for Primary School

 

Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

Open post day is here again.  I’m already to go now and I’m just waiting on 10A.M. before I leave.  As I have quite a few minutes I’m going to scribble off a few lines.  I’m listening to the news on my little juke box and it sounds good to hear of the Allied victories.  I think this will be our year.  I expect to have a very good time today with a date and everything.  It sure will be swell!

Things are in a sad state of affairs around here.  It seems that things get worse every day.   We have a bunch of cadet officers who really stink and it sure is hard to cooperate under them.   Our flight lieutenant is really a rat and it sure makes it hard for you.  It is just the old case of a little authority going to one’s head and not using it properly.  Oh well.  I’ve put up with them before and I’m afraid I’m going to have to put up with more of them before I get out of the army.   It isn’t pleasant though and it “kinda: irks to have a situation when it really isn’t necessary.

A week from today we finish up our classes and then we will be up for shipment anytime after that.  We are scheduled for an open post Tuesday and payday comes Wednesday.  So about the end of next week I should move into primary school.  It will probably be somewhere in Texas.  You see I’m in the Gulf Coast Training Center and that extends east as far as St. Louis.  So St. Louis is the farthest east I can go but the chance are very good for staying here in Texas.  I don’t really mind though as it doesn’t make much difference where you are anymore.  I couldn’t get home anyway so what’s the difference.

That’s it for now.  I’ll write again tomorrow night.

All my love

Bobby

January 31, 1943 - 78 on the Physics Exam

 

Sunday Morn

Dear Mom + Dad,

It is our day of rest (oh yeah!) Sunday.  We do however get two hours off this morning so I’m taking a little time off to write to you.  I had a physics test that really got me down yesterday.  It was one tough son of a gun.  I was really afraid that I was going to flunk it but I didn’t.  I only got a 78 but I’m happy about it.  You should have seen some of the other grads.  I have only one more test to take and I have to make 30 in it to pass the course.  I can get that with plenty to spare so I as least passed the course.  My average in it so far is 84% so I’m not so bad off.

Well tomorrow we go on open post.  Naturally I’m glad about it.  I have a date with Peg so I image I will have a good time.  At least I’m looking forward to it.  The only trouble is that the darn open posts never seem to be long enough.  It’s just being in by 10 P.M. that ruins it all as you don’t get much of an evening.

I went to the show and night and saw two thrillers.  At least 20 murders in two pictures.  There were so darn many of the them I couldn’t keep track of them.  Oh well it was fairly good entertainment although rather gruesome.

I got a letter from Ad and Anne Fisher.  They gave me all the details of closing the place.  Ad is being drafted.  It sure must be hard on the older fellows like him to be drafted at least, harder that it is for us younger fellows.

Well not much more news.  I think we finish school the end of next week.  Therefore primary school isn’t far off.

All my love

Bobby

January 29, 1943 - Tests & Almost a Year in the Army

  

Friday Eve

Dear Mom + Dad,

My first copy of Reader’s Digest arrived today.  I guess I’ll have to write to them and give them my current address.  I hate to do it as in another few weeks I’ll be moving out of this place and it will have to be changed again.  I don’t know just when I’m going to find time to read but I’ll sandwich time in somewhere.  Thank you very much for the subscription.

I have my second physics test tomorrow but I’m not worried about it in the least as I can do all the work.  It sure helped me have that subject in college it makes it easier for me.  If I can get a 100 this time I can really coast from here in.  I took a 12 words a minute code test today and I hope to pass it and get exempt from class, I think I might of passed it but I’m not sure.  I’ll know tomorrow when I go to class.  So keep the finger crossed again, it will give me an extra hour to myself.  Even if I don’t I have nothing to worry about as I can pass 8 works (the requirement) with ease.

Incidentally, yesterday, the Star arrived finally with the story of your E award.  It was very interesting reading.  My pop’s face appeared in it and it was a pretty good picture.  I enjoyed seeing the Star again.  I haven’t read on in months.

Do you realize that I lack only 2 weeks of being in the army a year.  On this day last year I put in my last day at McBurney, came home received my notification and took off for a weekend in New Paltz.  It sure seems a long time ago.  I haven’t been home in almost seven months.  I’d sure like a furlough now but as you know I can’t.  It sure would be good to see you folks again.  But then maybe it won’t be long now as everybody seems to say that this year will be our year.  Let’s hope so.  The war news is really looking good and it encourages me to no end.  Let’s hope by the end of the year we will see the end of this mess.

I received a letter from Russ today, the first in a long time.  It was mailed in Australia on December 28^th and I’m getting it a month later.   It was good to hear from the kid again even though he couldn’t say much.

Well that’s all for now.

All my love

Bobby

Blogger's Note:  Robert Lum Haring (Poops' father) worked as a machinist at the Fleischmann's Yeast in Peekskill N.Y.

January 27, 1943 Fifth Fld. Hosp. Moving Out

 

Wednesday PM

Dear Mom + Dad,

Your Sunday evening letter arrived tonight so down to the business of answering it.  I got a letter from one of my buddies in the Fifth Fld. Hosp. and they are moving out.  They are or were still out on the desert and have everything packed and ready to leave.  They are moving to a point of embarkation and then overseas.  So I guess it was a good move to come over to the air corps when I did.  Even despite that fact I’m much happier here that I ever could have been in the medical department.  The boys have hopes of moving to the east coast for awhile before they take off.  I hope so to as it will be a nice break as we had a lot of boys from the east and they could get home, if only for a short while.

They got us at 5 o’clock this morning for a supposed medical inspection.  However it never did materialize so the only thing lost was an hour of sleep.  Did you ever hear of such a thing though, a medical inspection at 5 o’clock in the morning?  It is a good thing it didn’t happen.

Your clipping about yourself was appreciated.  I know now where I get my streak of egotism, it must come from my pop.  Regardless, keep up the good work.

Things are still going along smoothly here.  Days really seem to fly by.  I’m now playing basketball on my squadron team.  We practice very nearly everyday and I really enjoy it.  It sure seems good to play my favorite sport again.

Nothing much new has transpired so I’m running out of material all ready.  I’ll try and get another letter off tomorrow.  

All my love

Bobby

January 26, 1943 Cold, and a Date for Next Monday

 

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

You are not the only one who has cold weather.   It blew up cold as the devil last night and we’ve been freezing ever since.  It dropped down to around 17^o which is cold for this neck of the woods.  The wind blows and the barracks get cold.  It reminds me of the 717 Frost Avenue as we have the same situation as I had there at home.  The trouble with the weather is that one day it’s hot the next day its so darn cold.  It keeps you with a constant cold as it changes so much.  Well, there is nothing that can be done about it so ----

I called up my girl friend tonight and got a date for next open post which is coming Monday.  I’m looking forward to it with pleasure as it gives me something to do.  It has been so darn long since I’ve actually has a date with a girl that the sensation is very pleasing.

The old routine just clicks along here in pre-flight and life has it bumps now and then but on the whole everything is going along smoothly.  Time is really beginning to fly and it won’t be very long now before I start primary school.  The part I’m looking forward to with anticipation.

Not much new is taking place around here and I feeling fine so there is much more to write.  I’ll try again tomorrow.    

Love

Bobby

January 25, 1943 - What More Could a Fellow Ask For

  

Monday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Open post for this week is all over and a real wonderful day it was.  I really had one of the best times I’ve had in quite some time.  Would you care to hear the gruesome details?  I go in to town about 11 Sunday morning and ran around town and ate.  Then in the afternoon I bowled a few games with the boys.  My score?  Never you mind, that’s my secret!  There was a tea dance for the class of 43-H (my class) and it was fun.  I met two very nice girls.  But the crowning event of the day took place there.  I ran into this girl from of all places, New York.  I took her out to supper and to one of the nice night clubs “The Tropics”, in town.  Incidentally, she had a ’39 Dodge convertible coupe and a “C” ration card.  What more could a fellow ask, a nice girl, a car, tires, gas, etc.  It was really wonderful.  Outside of her car she was a swell girl.  She had lived in New York before coming down here and it sure seemed like old home week.  I expect to get a date with her next Monday on our next open post.  I have her phone number and will call her up sometime before then.  Enough of that.

I received two letters from you today all at once.  It sure was good to hear from you.  As there is no mail on Sunday that explains to the two letters at once.

I got my final average in naval identification today.  I ended up with an 88 average for the course and I’m really proud of it.  I was really worried about that course and here I end up with a good average.  I think I may get exempt from code this week.  I’m beginning to get 12 words a minute now and if I can pass that I will not have to go to code class for the rest of my time here.

They are really getting tough around here.  For some ungodly reason we are drilling 3 hours a day.  We even have to fall out at 6PM in the evening for an hours drill.  It is really sad.  This can waste so darn much time for more important things.  You can’t do anything about it but it sure beats me.

That’s all for now.

Love

Bobby