(Post mark March 22, 1944)

Hello Sis

How are you today? I am fine as usual. Well, we are off for Camp Irwin again. It is just a show for some big General. We are supposed to be their best firing outfit in the U.S. in the A.A., and there is a big inspecting team of officers coming to see us fire. We are coming back Saturday. So, we won’t be gone so long. But the trouble is we may have to sleep in pup tents as we may not be able to get the regular tents. The moving came up so sudden, no one knew about it. We were going to have a party tonight, so they called it off, so we have to get up about 3 in the morning. Well, I have to cut this one as I have to pack my stuff and write mom the news. And don’t worry if you don’t hear from me until I come back to Haan. I sent those 2 papers yesterday. And also sending you the picture it isn’t very good. Well be good and take care of yourself.

Love,

Bruce

I am alright except for a bad cold

(Postmarked March 15, 1944)

Dear Sis

Well, how are you by this time? O.K. I hope. I am alright except for a bad cold. I really don’t feel like writing tonight, so I will cut it short and write more tomorrow as I am on the switchboard and will have a little time. There isn’t much I can tell you tonight as I will try to write a big letter tomorrow night and this pen won’t write so I will say good night.

Bert

We are sure seeing a lot of Inspections

(Postmarked March 16, written on March 15, 1944)

Dear Sis

How are you tonight? I never felt like writing you much last night so I will try to write a little more tonight. I have two camp papers to send you now if I ever get any stamps. It comes out every week. So, you can learn more in the paper than I can tell you. I think it is a good paper for an army camp, don’t you? I am on the switchboard now and I haven’t got anything to do but wait for calls and there aren’t any calls, so I have time to write for a change.

I sure was sorry about Jake losing that ball game. I would have liked to seen him take a team to the State. Will you write and tell me how Washington did?

Mom wrote and said you had only come home once since I was there. I wish you could go home every weekend but guess you have been to busy with the ball games. I bet you are glad they are over.

So you can get some rest and have a little less worries.

We are sure seeing a lot of inspections since we came back to Haan. I saw the camp General looking around the Barracks today. It looks as if we are getting ready for our overseas inspection. They never did come around like that before. We got two big expert medals for our firing at Irwin. One is up in the mess hall and the other is in the office. It is in the paper I am sending you. Well, I had better say good night and fix myself a place to sleep on the floor. I am in the Battalion Office, that is where the Switch Board is. Well, be good.

Love from your brother,

Bert

P.S. Please excuse the writing

Happy Birthday Dad

If Dad had not passed away back in 1993, we would be celebrating his 93rd Birthday today. He was born March 3, 1925, and his sister Geraldine was born December 31, 1920. I think you can tell they were very close from their childhood, and the letters I have been featuring in this Blog continues to show their bond was strong.

It is hard to believe that around 18 years after this picture was taken Dad and Geraldine would be exchanging letters as Dad was preparing to head to Europe for a long tromp through the mud of France and beyond.