Miami Beach
Riding the Rails Again
February 14-17 1943. Dad writes home while en route by train to his new assignment at the Savanna Section Ordnance School in northwestern Illinois. The base is located near the Mississippi River, due west of Chicago and not too far from the Wisconsin border. He chronicles his trip. The first detail to note is that, … Continue reading
I am Saying Good-bye to Miami Beach
February 10, 11 & 13, 1943. Dad is sending home some photos that were taken of him around camp. He notes that they were taken in the sun, so he is squinting a little bit. He also introduces us to Joe Demusis, a Lithuanian fellow that he met from Brooklyn who, like Dad is in … Continue reading
Keep on Writing
February 4th and 7th, 1943. A few letters from Dad to home. Dad has guard duty on the 4th. It consists of running the elevator from 10 PM to midnight. He admits that it is an easier assignment than having to guard around the buildings like some of the other guys have to do. Of … Continue reading
If You Just Think About Poland, That’s Enough
January 27, 28 and 30, 1943. Dad writes home. The suitcase that his mom sent has arrived and it has been stuffed with all that he asked for and even more. “I would like to thank you for the candy and cookies but please do not send any more in such great quantities as it … Continue reading
Our Beach Patrols Have Itchy Trigger Fingers
January 24, 1943. Sunday evening. Dad writes home. They are given Sundays off and he had an opportunity to check out the city and the beach. “However, we do not dare go out at night to the beach as our Beach (night) Patrol has itchy trigger fingers, and you yourself have heard of things happening … Continue reading
If You Want to be a Gunner They Make You a Welder
January 20, 1943. Dad reports a slow day during which they are being classified. He learns that he is being placed in the ordinance department and believes they will be assigned to the Air Corps. He is disappointed that he was not assigned to radio work, but instead is being classified as a clerk (stenographer) … Continue reading
An Eyefilling Panorama
January 19, 1943. Dad is settling into Army life in Miami Beach and his taste buds are adjusting. He is “getting along fine” and “the food here is at times somewhat better.” The big news of the day is that in the afternoon they got their gas masks and an extra summer uniform complete with … Continue reading
The Box
Several years ago my mother gave me a box containing “dad’s letters”. It wasn’t until recently that I took a look inside the box. What I found was several manila envelopes stuffed with letters that were written between January 1943 and February 1946 while my father was in the service during WWII. My mother said that … Continue reading