Smoky Hill AA Base Salina KS
A Far Cry from Camp Upton
November 8, 1943. A handwritten letter home from Dad. He mentions getting Anna’s November 4th letter the day before. So if you were wondering, it takes about three days for letter to get from Albany to Topeka. He spends a good bit of his letter writing about the local weather, compares his experience in Topeka to other … Continue reading
Chemical Warfare Training
May 26 & 29, 1943. Dad writes two letters home. He reiterates that he now reports to the 21st Air Wing for duty. He says “I am getting along as usual in this Army which isn’t so hot but it ain’t too bad. Today we had a fast physical checkup and of records as well … Continue reading
Like Peter the Tramp
May 22 & 24, 1943. Two more letters home from Dad. The letters about Stanley’s first furlough have finally made it to him. He comments that he “read the part of the letter where Stanley made his entrée in to the house on the first morn. Stanley sure got changed by the Army…I guess Stanley … Continue reading
You Will See Your Niece
May 16 & 17, 1943. Two letters home from Dad. The two letters read almost like one so I will combine them for the purposes of this post. For the first time he is able to include his brother Stanley’s name on the salutation as Stanley is home on furlough. He references Anna’s letter of … Continue reading
I Will Get Moved Around
May 4, 5 & 6, 1943. Two letters home from Dad written over three days while he is at Smoky Hill AA Base in Salina, Kansas. In the first of the two letters he thanks his family for the Easter greetings that they sent and reports that that his barracks bag has finally caught up … Continue reading
Like Rip Van Winkle
May 1 & 2, 1943. A letter from Dad to home written over two days. He is writing on a Saturday night at 8:00 PM from Smoky Hills Army Air Base in Salina, Kansas and notes the he is listening to the Hit Parade on the radio. He has been in the Army for four months … Continue reading
Getting Along with My New Job
April 30, 1943. A letter home from Dad. It’s been three days since he wrote with his new address in Salina, Kansas. He notes, “I haven’t heard from you as yet, but before you receive this letter I think I should hear from you. I should be hearing from Stanley soon as well.” He continues, … Continue reading
My New Surroundings
April 27, 1943. Dad writes home. He is no longer in Salt Lake City, but is writing from Smoky Hill Army Air Base in Salina, Kansas. He reports, “I am getting along as well as I can with my new surroundings.” He left Salt Lake City after going to mass on Easter Sunday. “I offered … Continue reading