The First Real Letter

3/31/43
Hello honey;
We sure don't get much time to write so if this is kind of disjointed it is because I was called out a half dozen times while writing it.
Hope you are getting along alright and like your job. There will be a few papers in this envelope which you are supposed to save.
We arrived at about 7PM. Monday and had to walk a couple of miles from the station to the fort. The boys are soldiers because they started bitching about the walk; and more so when they gave us short arm inspection as soon as they could find a doctor to do it and that wasn't very soon for a bunch of hungry fellows. 4 or 5 had a dose of crabs. [ not me.]
We next were taken to a mess hall and partially fed. It was good but not enough, it was after 9:00 PM and we were hungry. I was beginning to wonder how they gain weight on that amount of food. I guess it was because of the late hour because next day we had plenty and it has all been very good.
After supper we were taken to barracks and issued sheets, blankets and pillow case. Then we had to make up our bunks and go down for first instruction. Lights go out 9:00 in the barracks but you don't have to be in bed until 11:00. We just made it the first night and we were a plenty tired bunch, too much waiting in line.
Next morning the bugle sounded at 4:00 AM. and we rushed like ,mad to dress and preform our toilet only to find that there was nothing to do until breakfast which was about 6:00 so we lost a lot of time by having to remain alert. We didn't know what was coming and couldn't start to do anything. We are gradually getting used to it and now we start something and take our time to put it away [ as now ] before going down.
Well guess I am back again for a few minutes. I hope.
After breakfast [ eggs, cereal, bread, coffee, and fruit ] we were processed, that is office work pertaining to insurance and etc, we were measured and given uniforms, they fit very well.
2 pr long heavy underwear, one of which we had to put on and we put one of each of the following items on. 3 pr wool socks, 2 pr wool dress pants, 2 wool dress shirts, 2 neckties; 1 belt, 3 wool caps; 1 helmet; 1 dress jacket, 1 overcoat, boy I can even feel how warm I was even now. We were in a warmly heated building with these on from 8:00 until noon: I forgot 2 pr shoes: They also gave us a complete warm weather outfit, a windproof field jacket and raincoat, mess kit, towel, 2 handkerchiefs, shaving outfit and two bags about the size of 100 # grain sacks to stow our clothes in; It sure looks like that is a hell of a way to treat clothes but that is the only place to put them and they must be in them at all times unless you have them on. If any are found laying loose they are turned in and you have to buy a replacement yourself.
It is very surprising how little they mess.
After noon chow we had our tests, mental as well as physical [we still had all those heavy clothes on ]. Tests took until about 4:00 and then we had our first lessons in drill and military courtesy until chow and we thought we had put in a day. As we left mess hall and marched to barracks, but we never arrived. Instead we were taken to recreation center and shown pictures on sex hygiene, actual cases, boy were they terrible. If I might ever have been tempted I sure won't be now.
After all this an hour of military law and dismissed 8:00 PM.
Then we had to box and get rid of civilian clothes, wash our mess kits, we don't use them here but being new they are covered with a harmful grease and have to be thoroughly washed so they will be ready for anytime we may need them; then I shaved, took a shower, tried to call you and your folks both, rather than take time to write but no soap.
So I wrote the card, not knowing how soon I would get a chance to write you a letter.
Just made it to bed under the wire at 11:00
Up at 4:00 Wed. morning to sweep barracks floor.
After breakfast had our interviews to determine where we will be sent to. If they know they sure don't say but we may go anytime.
They had the results of our tests and I was very much gratified to hear the big boy say I had an unusual grade for a man so long out of school. In the aptitude test I got 134 out of 150, In the mechanical 135 out of 150, and in the radio 90 out of 140 but that radio one was just luck. They would give you two series of wireless radio code sounds and ask you to say if they were alike or different and I just guessed. They were so fast I couldn't tell but I was nearly as good as any on it: They say if you pass the aptitude test at 115 you are eligible for officer training school but that is nothing official and even if it was it wouldn't mean much. After interviews we got two shots and then chow. At present time [after chow ] we are resting and it feels pretty good. I will write as often as able but you can see conditions.
With lots and lots of love to you.
Norm
P.S. I think I did pretty well don't you. Love:

The First Communication

Mar 30, 1943
Dear Babe:
I don't have time for more than a line because we just got through and lights go off in 5 minutes: Everything is OK. and they sure are pushing us through. We got uniforms and had our apptitude tests today along with some drill and other things thrown in. It looks like another busy day tomorrow. Hope you are getting along OK. I tried to call you tonight rather than write but couldn't get you. I will write as soon as I have time. Love x Norm

This postcard was the first of over 4000 pages of letters written by my Father to my Mother during World War II. It is a yellowing card with a preprinted onecent postage in green ink. The postal cancellation reads: BUY WAR SAVING BONDS and STAMPS. It was mailed from Columbus, Ohio to my Mother's home in Medina, Ohio. He was on his way to basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana.