 |
|
|
United States Army
Fort Knox, Kentucky
12/30/44
Dear Aunt Eunice,
I appreciate your letters, and seeing that I have off tonite I am catching up on correspondence. It is pouring down rain, typical weather for Kentucky this time of year. It is muddy, cold and damp, which makes anyone very blue. When I feel sad and downhearted the Lord makes me glad, He’s my friend.
The 1st Sergeant gave us this afternoon off and Sunday if we didn’t have K. P. Grr! It happens that I have K. P. tomorrow, which makes me a double dose of it because I got shipped to a new barracks with a newer bunch of men. I had it Wednesday from 4:30 am until 9 pm peeling potatoes, helping scrub pots and pans, and all of us G. I. the floor three times during the day. You really get tired before bedtime.
Our basic training is suppose to start January 8 and will last for 17 weeks, after which I should receive a 10-day furlough. I’m suppose to be classified Monday; they’re suppose to put you at something which you’re fitted for, although it will be in the Tank Corp, I think. I’m now a member of Company “A”, 10th Battalion, 3rd Regiment, Armored Replacement Training Center. It has been honey so far compared to what it is going to be when basic starts.
I could have been home Christmas with all of you on a pass from Fort Sheridan, but our whole barracks was shipped out that day.
Your Nephew,
Pvt. Arthur
Fort Knox, Kentucky
Regional Hospital O. C. Ward 33
6/10/45
Dear Aunt Eunice,
This is a beautiful Sunday in Kentucky. I would like to be headed for that little white church about now. We have had decent weather here lately. They say if you don’t like Kentucky weather just wait 15 minutes and it will change.
All you have been hearing around here the past week is the Kentucky Derby. Yesterday was the race, and I guess 70,000 people were there to see it. Just think of the money that was bounced around!
Yesterday I took orders for the PX around the ward, since most of the fellows are strictly bed patients. Later, the ward boy and I went after the stuff. It really makes you feel good to be up on your feet again.
Last night I was just beginning to take a shower, when I heard the nurse shouting, “Sanders, long-distance!” I jumped into my _______ and to the telephone. It was grand talking to Dixie & Gordy for the first time in months!
I feel embarrassed that I didn’t even make it through Basic Training before succumbing to rheumatic fever. I guess you heard the chaplain had made some funeral preparations with Mother before Rev. Landis came from home to pray over me. It surely pays to serve the Lord. The doctors had practically given up all hopes for me. I’ve gained from 95 lbs. up to 126 lbs. in a little over a month!
Thanks for the letters and loads of cards you sent while I was ill. It really helped cheer a fellow up!
Your Nephew,
Pvt. Arthur
United States Army
Percy Jones General Hospital Ward 2C
Battle Creek, Michigan
10/24/45
Dear Aunt Eunice,
A dreary morning, but I feel quite good. This morning I went down on the ground floor to the Quarter Masters to get some O. D. ’s issued to me, as my clothes haven’t been sent from Fort Knox. These clothes they issued me look like they have been through the War.
Your Richard ought to be home on leave within a few months even if he did sign up for so many years. I thought one is entitled to so many days on leave a year. In the Army you generally get a furlough once every six months to a year.
Thanks to the Lord, I am a lot better and everything is working out fine. I’ll just have to take it real easy for a year or two. Haven’t decided what I will do; might take a couple of College courses.
It is about time for chow again—my stomach feels empty. I have been eating more since they quit my pills & weigh 136 lbs.! At 6-ft. tall, they say I still look like a toothpick!
Your Nephew,
Pvt. Arthur
PRIVATE ARTHUR L. SANDERS
HONORABLY DISCHARGED
UNITED STATES ARMY
DECEMBER 1945
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
