Savanna Ordnance School
Wait For My New Address
April 16, 1943. Dad writes a very short letter home before shipping out later in the day. Classes are all wrapped up and he is set to move on to Salt Lake City. “I have all my stuff packed in barracks bags and I am just sticking around.” The night before he went into town … Continue reading
He Knows What is Best
April 14, 1943. Dad writes home from the Savanna Ordnance School in northwestern Illinois. The weather is still wavering between winter and spring. He comments, “The last two days we have had winter weather…we did have a few snowflakes in the air.” He also says that he has been able to keep up with the … Continue reading
Inspection
April 10, 1943. A letter from Dad to home. His studies in Savanna are coming to an end and he will be shipping out in the next few days. As part of his training they had a visit to the depot to see the actual ordnance that they will be responsible for. His comments after … Continue reading
Going to the Mormon City
April 7, 1943. Dad writes to the family back home with news that he received word on his next assignment. “I am going to the same Mormon city that Stanley was sent to before he was assigned to Washington, and that I certain. I wonder how Salt Lake City will treat me.” He muses, “When … Continue reading
“The Bayer Aspirin Program”
April 4 and 6 1943. A couple of letters from Dad to the family back home. He only has another week and a half of classes left. He tells Anna that although he has received an invitation from their friends the Weiss’ in Chicago, things are getting down to crunch time and it looks like … Continue reading
I Have My Ears Open
March 30, 31and April 2. A few letters home from Dad. Still stationed at the Savanna Ordnance Depot in Illinois, Dad continues his training and looks forward to its completion and moving on to wherever he will be stationed next. He says that they still fall out for reveille in the morning and that they … Continue reading
I Hope to Get Better Breaks
March 23 and 26, 1943. A few letters from Dad to home. In the first he tells his family that he has just written to his brother Stanley. He also says, “I have performed my Easter duty and went to Communion the first time since being in the Army.” He also says that he played softball … Continue reading
Starting to Feel Old Around This Place
March 18 and 21, 1943. Two letters from Dad to home. He opens with his hopes that “papa’s jaw will heal up right so it won’t bother him anymore and the same goes for mama.” As far as his training, “I am going to take my last test tomorrow morning for the 1st half of … Continue reading
An Easter Present for Theresa
March 14 & 15, 1943. Dad writes home. Before receiving Stanley’s letter with the news that his brother was shipped to Salt Lake City, Dad writes, “I hope that Stanley gets to an air base near Albany unless they intend sending him to officers training school.” He is also enclosing post cards “of the Mississippi … Continue reading
Spring is Here
March 11, 1943. Dad writes home as Lent begins. The day before was Ash Wednesday. After a day of fasting he went to St. John the Baptist Church in Savanna for services and to receive ashes. Afterwards he went to the Savanna U.S.O. club where you could get ”coffee, eats, read magazines, play ping pong, lounge … Continue reading