Document Type
Personal Letter
Rights Management
All rights retained by Bryant University
Transcription
[Transcription begins]
LOVELL GENERAL HOSPITAL
FORT DEVENS, MASS.
May 2, 1942
9:15 p.m.
Dear Norman,
Well how do you like Army life? Does it come up to your expectations or is it lower than you estimated? I suppose you have to drill all day with your sore arms.
I received a letter from Ma to-day. She told me your address. Are you able to see Ray? Some of the fellows here say Camp Lee isn’t too far from Norfolk. Perhaps you won’t be able to see Ray right away though. Don’t you have to stay in a certain length of time?
I will get your pictures Monday and send them over to Ma. I had to take them to the PX to have them developed.
Everything is just the same here at Fort Devens. Troops move in and troops move out! So goes it!
Bud sent me a recording of his voice. It doesn’t sound too much like him though except in some parts.
It is now quarter of twelve and we just came back from supper. We have the awfullest [sic] meals on nights. Regular swill! I like nights very much though only one can’t do much at all.
The other day I got up early and we went into Fitchburg in Ruth Selby’s car. She is one of the nurses who came in with us. It was wonderful, we had the top down and Priss and another kid was [sic] in the rumble seat. We went to Ye Olde Oyster Bar. It is a very quaint old place, built after a 16th century inn. The man who originated it made it after the style of various old places in Europe. The candle sconces, a knight in armour [sic] and all that. It is very nice; there is an oyster bar, a cocktail lounge and a place to dance. We had a sandwich and a couple of Singapore Slings, the sailors drink you know, to celebrate our one month in the Army.
Thursday we got paid and of course Friday morning Selby and I rode down to the bank in Ayer to get our checks cashed. We received $88.00 but 18 of it has to be put in for our mess fund, but then we are supposed to only get $70 a month.
I splurged and bought a camera too. A Kodak, $6.95. It is something like the one Jesse gave you! I shall be able to take some good pictures of the place around here now.
Yesterday afternoon we had to go down and have our pictures taken for our new identification passes which will have our fingerprints and all. They stuck a board with our full name on it and Sec Lt. A.N.C. under our chins then snapped it. I imagine it will be just like a hideous passport picture, perhaps worse. We were driven down in ambulances. All in all I didn’t sleep much if any yesterday only about ¾ hr. so this morning I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It was awful!
My ward isn’t very busy just now. We have 28 patients and 12 went out on pass over the week-end. It is very dead around here—week-ends—everyone who can gets [sic] out of the Fort do[es] so.
What is the Virginia weather like down there Norm? You ought to have summer uniforms oughtn’t you. It should be warm enough!
I didn’t get much mail this past week. Should be hearing from Ray soon.
We have been having beautiful weather every day this past week and the nights have been gorgeous, full moon, bright stars and warm night.
So you and Helen tried to get married! You should have a little sooner. Maybe when you are in the Army it won’t take as long. Kit wants to get married but Ray doesn’t like the idea of her having to support herself with him in the Navy. Bud wants to get married when he comes home on furlough in July, but I wouldn’t be able to stay in the A.N.C. if I were married and I kind of like it now—so there you are!
Well, I must write a letter to Ma to-night. She has to register people for sugar rationing down at the school. All next week from 2 - 5. She said Marguerite LaPenn’s husband got your job and also that Arthur LaPalme Pa’s crippled brother died in Easthampton. They were going to his funeral.
Write soon,
Love, Marj.
[Transcription ends]
