Sure Gets Muddy Around This Place

(Postmarked Friday, May 19, 1944)

Received your letter today and was glad to hear from you. Haven’t time to write you and letter tonight as I have to get ready for inspection. We had a little rain today and it sure gets muddy around this place and sticks to your shoes. Guess I won’t go out this weekend as I haven’t got very much cash. So, I will write you over the weekend. So long for now.

Bert

Thought it was About Time To Write You a Letter

(Postmarked May 18, 1944)

Hi Sis:

How are you by this? I thought it was about time I had to write a letter. I received all of your letters and, they were all nice. I wish I could write jut half as many back. But you know how lazy I am. I think the wallpaper was nice and hope I get to see it on the wall at home very soon. I also received the money and you know I was glad to get it. So, I am just wasting paper telling you. Also, the letter about seeing Jack Bowman. And I would like to see that picture of him. And I think Bob would like to see it too. I see Bob about every day now. He is just about a block from me.

Well, we are still taking hikes and bayonet training. We will be firing the rifle next week. I don’t know whether we will get furloughs after this 6 weeks of training or not. But I don’t think we will.

I forgot to tell you I received the pictures. The one of you on the tractor turned out the best. Well, I will have to sign off for this time. As that is all I can think of for this time except I am sore all over. But I like it here better than Camp Haan. Will try to write you again this week.

Love,

Bert

Gainesville is 5 miles south of the camp

(Postmarked May 9, 1944 – written 7p.m. Monday: 5/8/44)

Hello Sis:

How are you by this time? I am fine as usual. Well, here is the new dope. Tomorrow we start our infantry training and the 144^th gun Bn. Will be broken up that is the organization its self all of us will stay here and train together. This camp is a P.O.R. or Post of replacements. So, some of us may be going over any time but don’t get excited. I still haven’t seen Bob N. I sure was lucky to get my furlough as I don’t think they are going to give any here. So, I guess Bob is out of luck. He is around here somewhere, but the 140^th Infantry Regiment is a lot bigger than a Bn.

We took a 9-mile hike today it wasn’t bad. I’ll tell you more about the training later. We have had it easy so far.

This camp is located pretty nice, but the transportation is bad. Its only 70 miles to Dallas and about 65 miles to Ft. Worth. If you have a map and want to know where the camp is, look for Gainesville. It is 5 miles south of camp. I want you to send me your telephone number as it won’t cost so much to call from here.

Oh yes! I forgot to tell you that non-coms are just like Pvts., now they have to go through the same training we do now and does that ever make me happy. Don’t worry about the mail you sent to camp Haan as I am getting git. Well, that is about all I can think of, for now, so I will close and write Mom. I wrote you first because I only wrote a card the last time. Be good and take care of yourself.

With love,

“Bert”

Camp Howze

(Postmarked May 8, 1944 - I finally figured out a mistake that I made back when I began making these posts. I couldn't figure out why Dad went to Camp Howze, Texas and then back to Indiana, and then by train to California for training. So...I am now reposting these pictures, as it appears that he left Camp Haan, California and traveled to Camp Howze, Texas for some additional training. I didn't find any reference to this move in previous letters, but I know that the next couple coming up were from Camp Howze. So...that means that I misread the postmark on this postcard back in the beginning.)

Don't Get the Big Head

(Postmarked April 13, 1944. I forgot to post this one after I posted the pictures of things from Geraldine’s scrapbook.)

Hello Sis:

How is the world treating you? I am just fine as usual. I have received several letters from you in the last week and I am always glad to hear from you, but I sure don’t like this writing as it is a little out of my line. Well, there isn’t anything new around here. We are still in Haan and expect we will be here for a few weeks. We are just waiting for something to pop up. I have been going to the show about every night. Last night I went down to the gym and they had 8 fights of boxing, and 3 or 4 fellows from the 144^th boxed. 

You keep asking if I got those cookies and I don’t remember so you had better send me some more to make sure I get some. Ha Ha. The boys sure like your cooking and they also think your pretty good looking but don’t get the big head. Well, I had better say good night. Be good.

Love,

Bert