February 15, 1943

February 15, 1943

My Dear Mother:

I suppose you have been wondering just what has happened to me, well I have been just too busy trying to work and try to get sleep during the day which is just an impossible feat to try and do here. I had the awful hours of eleven to seven last week and then tried to sleep during the day. At noon the gunny comes in with all the noise that comes with them and then I could not go back to sleep until perhaps towards evening.
We would do nothing except clean down the tile walls which run seven feet up and then mop the floors. The four operating rooms are just simply beautiful in their way. The tile is all green with a very nice design in the floor. They would make very nice kitchens. Then after that we would treat the rubber gloves, the two of us. After which we would just sit around and try and sleep sitting on stools the balance of the time, about 5 hours.
So Saturday night the Corporal in charge said they were short of help on ward four and asked me if I would volunteer for the night. So down I went and I think I learned more the one night there than I learned all week in the operating room. I gave a hypodermic to one of the boys who has a tumor on the brain. He was surely thankful. I took temperatures, respiration and pulse in the morning. They have our Chinese boy in one of the rooms and he was sure no joy to wait on and there were a couple others that would run a person to death if they were given a chance. In fact I really enjoyed it.
I went up town this morning and mailed the pictures there are three of them: one I had left out of the folder for you so that you may have it framed if you wish or take one of the others out and put it in. You can charge the framing to me. I would have had it done here only the frame may have gotten broken in mailing.
I am not so terribly satisfied with them. I should have gotten smaller ones and they make me look about twelve years old. I will know better next time.
I am working from 3-11 this week and I am in the library writing and I will soon have to go to work. I have no idea what I will do today. Maybe get a chance to see an operation.
Yesterday I went out to the zoo with the boy from Washington. It was my second time out and got some very good pictures I hope, which I will send home in a box which I will send one of these days. It will have two pink grapefruit in it. They will not ship them to California because of the inspection on citrus fruit.
So I will see that you get at least a couple of them and I am going to send also the cards I mentioned previously.
I shall also attempt to answer the questions of your last two letters another day when I have more time than I have today.
I am going to start complaining my soon about my show they gave me eight and a half as you can imagine the condition my feet get at times, they sure get tired. They should certainly know better.
How are the cymbidiums coming along?
I gave a fellow named Des Saurins(?) dad’s phone number and told him if he in L.A. ever needed any help to call up. You do not have to extend any special courtesy to him on my part. I just thought if he needed direction etc. he may call. Also a man named Ellard may call you. He lives not far from us there and he got his discharge papers the other day (over 38). He came all the way from L.A with me. I had better be closing now for it is getting near starting out time. I will write sooner next time.

Love,
Stanley

January 30, 42

January 30, 42

My Dear Mother:

Well I am quite homeless this evening. That is, from our regular barracks. This evening I have my belongings in one of the other barracks across the court. This morning after inspection the Major told us to go in and get our belongings such as shaving articles etc., which we were supposed to have packed and that we did not need much – only 24 hours, and to fall out and we would sleep in the Assembly Hall tonight. Well, that was the first we had heard of it and we had nothing prepared. We had heard that they were going to fumigate but not this soon. So pandemonium broke out and we had to hurry and get our things out and the boys had already left for the hospital some 150 of them from our section and they had no way of getting into their lockers when they came in this evening so some of us took a few of their things for them. I took one of my friends shaving things for him but I could not get into his locker for his coat. And I grabbed my case which I keep packed all the time and out I flew. We had to tear our beds apart etc and before I out they already had the windows and doors partly taped and believe me did the entire barracks look a mess. Like the evacuation of Atlanta. And after being shoved around for a couple hours we were found beds but there is still a few going to sleep in the Assembly Hall tonight without even a mattress, only a sheet and blanket. Some of the boys at the hospital returned to find they had nothing to their name for twenty four hours except what they had on. Some of them had money left in their lockers and other food stuff which of course will be ruined. They are using cyanide and they have a monthly fumigation for cockroaches and bed bugs. The barracks sure need it too. The cockroaches are thick here in Texas.
Well the old bunch has left and we have taken their places in the hospital and believe it or not I have been assigned to the operating room whether I will be able to take it or not I do not know because I have been exceptionally lucky to be able to have the practice ward the first week of the four weeks actual training.
We had quite an experience the other evening that is the evening or night or really morning the other boys left someone or some people came in in the night and went through about 6 of the barracks and stole pants including the money in them of about four on our floor and three of four below or downstairs and the pants they took they left some of them laying on the stairway and around the building. Some of the boys have not found their trousers as yet. And the next morning when it was reported to the First Sgt he made the reply of. A person should know better than to have their money in trousers lay around and that the army would assume no responsibility for it. But I think someone has turned it in to the FBI and they are investigating it because they have been to see a couple of the victims. The belief is that it was one or two of those who were going to leave so decided to make a haul before going.
As for me I leave nothing laying around and put my wallet inside my pillow case so I suffered no loss.
We also had the experience of having a general from the Surgeon General office make an inspection this week and when he arrived he was being chauffeured around by a WAAC and had two or three aides and our colonel showed him the school and sis we go over the place with a fine tooth comb. And when he left our majors and captains told us he approved of the state of the school very much, but today we heard a different story. The colonel and top major called the sergeants in and told them the general disapproved of the conditions of the barracks and that they were the worst he had seen as far as cleanliness goes and that if the sgts didn’t see that they were cleaned up they would have their stripes ripped off them. If you ask me the barracks are in very good order and we have sure worked hard enough to keep them clean, but those generals don’t seem to realize that for what we have that they are doing quite well. The barracks are about five years old and are in good condition and therefore they shouldn’t be run down as he says they are and if they need repair he should see that they are fixed. I wonder what he will think of Barkeley when he sees the mess that exists there. And then let him rave.
I am writing in the library which is upstairs in the service club and they are having a show downstairs and when ever I think that it will be something good I go out onto the balcony. Nigel Bruce was just out and they had some very good acrobatics, some of the best I have ever seen and one very beautiful violin solo otherwise nothing of importance.
I received your letter today and was glad to hear you had been to see the doctor, you had not mentioned it before. But do not let things of your health go too long. Maybe someday I will be the doctor or surgeon of the family. Who knows?
To give you something amusing and an idea of some of the well trained technicians wonderful tricks they pull.
A major about three months ago had a 10 day leave. He had ingrown toenails so he decided to have them taken care of over here and they told him it would take about six days so he entered and the toes were getting along well until a nurse told one of the well trained technicians to put two hot water bottles on his legs so the technician did and he put water which was much hotter than 120F and then to top it he didn’t wrap them well. So the next day the doctor in making the rounds noticed the major’s legs were seriously burned. Well anyway the major was in the hospital three months getting skin grafts etc. I can just hear him raving about the wonderful nurse. Another of the patients asked this friend of mine to hold his cigarette while he was not smoking it. He was only a Sgt, some nerve. Believe me some of the stories that come from there are both of the stories that come from there are both amusing and very interesting.
The civilians that are in the hospital are the ones that are in some way connected with a soldier. And believe me there are enough of them over there.
The teaching I spoke of merely consists of staying here from one to three months teaching in the practice ward or in class.
No. a gang does not mob me when I get a package and on top of that I am the mail clerk for the barracks which merely consists of going over and getting the mail and calling it out and of reading all other notices etc.
The reason I believe Marshall may have written in such a way me be they have gotten word that they might return home after duration. Any way I shall write him a letter and mail it in San Antonio with the house address on it.
Yes Joe is always complaining that his things do not belong there etc.
The sights I speak of in San Antonio I hope you will soon see some of them via post card. The Alamo I speak of and I always thought along with everybody else was a fort is only a church which was built in the early 1700s and the settlers took refuge there when Santa Ana advanced on them and after a while he finally broke in and only three people remained alive to tell the story of the Alamo. It is in a good state of repair in fact a little too much so. It is right in the center of town at Houston street and North Alamo, the town has been built around it and the Alamo river runs through town and the WPA has made a very good and attractive job out of what I suppose was a mess before large retaining walls and nice stairways leading down to the river and boating on it in the evening. I suppose it is quite a resemblance of Venice. You shall also see some pictures of that also and of some Spanish moss hanging over the water from trees in Breckenridge Park which I took while there.
Muriel has never mentioned nelson in any of her letters to me. Only once she mentioned going to the park with him. And her letters are quite short but I do enjoy her sending me letters and shall have to write now that I have more time.
I want you to call up Frank Wiggins and ask them where my diploma is and just give them the devil if they don’t seem to know and if they don’t get in touch with Mrs. Vosberg or have them to do. They are not too busy their student roll has decreased. SO don’t let them tell you they have been too busy.
Joseph has not as yet answered my letter. I am beginning to wonder if he ever received packages from home that were sent and also letters and more yet have sent letters which never seemed to reach their destination. There was quite a rumpus at Barkeley about some of the letters laying around somewhere or other I will write him again today and ask him about it.
I see where Rosy has had his nose over in Africa seeing all and telling how we are going to win the war. I am writing in pencil for the library is not open as yet and I left my ink in my foot locker and my writing is awful along with it also my letter is getting heavy also. So I shall close and will write again soon. The pictures are being made I think but they are slow. I am going in tomorrow to see about them. Perhaps too many soldiers pictures.

Lots of love

Your son

26 January 1943

Hope you don’t have to pay extra postage on this letter. If you do let me know and I will cut it down next time or add postage.

Jan 26, 1943

Dear Mother
You mentioning how the days slip by, well they do here also, our days here go by very fast and my time after class goes much faster and before I know it, it is nine o’clock and bed time and I have so much study after class that it seems I hardly have any time at all and I am looking forward very expectantly to not having any after next Thursday or rather this week Thursday for we are due to finish our classes then and we will more than likely have our first day in the hospital Friday and I am wondering just what kind of ward I am going to fall here to. I hope it is a nice ward with some very interesting patients or it may even be the operating room.
I went last week over to the practice ward to try my best in draping the operating room and patient and I got into the gown without contaminating it and got my hands into the rubber gloves quite easily after the technician in the act very carefully poured powder on them and held my hands above my waist all but once. And I look quite funny in a gown and gloves, you would not recognize me. The gown hangs within 6 inches of the floor and I had to put in on without it getting against tables, floor or my clothes that is the front of the gown can not come into contact with anything and the technician finishes putting it on and tying the belt. In all it is quite an interesting and tedious art called Surgical technique.
I received a letter from Edward Pfare and he is the same old Ed, rattle bearned(?) as ever and upbraided me for not writing him. I am going to write him back and tell him he was so good at writing me and giving me his address.

Well now for the surprise of surprises. Yesterday was payday and they gave me the huge amount of $5.00. How or why I do not know for I can not see how they figure that amount as two thirds the amount of pay I am supposed to receive but most of us from Barkeley received that amount and am I burned up. I am almost tempted to cancel that bond affair right now. But I do not necessarily need the money for I have been conserving for just such an occasion so I don’t need any. Of course next month I shall get more yet and when I leave I will get the entire amount due me.
I believe that I will make out the Income Tax blank and I think that if you will do it for me if it is properly made out etc.
The weather here has been very cold and rather foggy and a very cold wind and we have had a severe frost or two lately because quite a few of the plants around here are all black.
Sunday I went into town early and went to the famous Buckhorn Saloon, and talk of horns etc.

They really have them there. I am going to send home something and amongst them shall be some post cards folders etc which you can look at and I will send you cards from time to time so you perhaps can enjoy them with me.
I also went by the old Spanish governor’s palace but it wasn’t open as yet so we went to a show which I was not too fond of doing but went along with the others.
As for the cymbidium you can give Mrs. Miner perhaps one of the flowers and if you want to you can give Aunt Nina the balance or keep some for yourself but I think Nina would like a couple. You may have to stake up the spike and if it rains you may take it into back porch for the mud will do them no good. It stains the flowers. Clear water won’t bother them much. And I don’t think I would have any use for it here although I would like to see it.
As for a leave it will probably not be now until I am stationed somewhere. If it wasn’t for this school it would have been sooner.

Yes cameras were contraband. They ordered them all turned in but their orders were not followed so they issued another order the other day stating that all that turned them in to come and get them and go to the Provost Marshall’s office and register them and then they would be alright. I kept mine wrapped up and took it into town once.

As for a needle for the phonograph you might get one of the $1.00 ones which will play 1000 times or you might get two or three cheaper ones for they may become extinct also. What do you think I wrote Mrs. Scheltima in my first week here and Joe 2 or 3 days later but as slow as the mail goes in and out of here. No wonder he has not heard from me and I mailed him a couple of cards also. I may be mail clerk here in this barracks this coming month. The boys that are leaving here this month are leaving Thursday and I am going to get rid of the half wit that sleep across from me. He is just plain crazy.

Yes one of the surprises is a photo. The photographs were very good although Nelson looks quite old. Joseph wrote me quite a descriptive letter of your calling at their house.
Miss Mosher sent me a camellia flower and for some reason they opened it here at the Fort and did they mutilate it in rewrapping it.

At Barkeley they had a habit in some company offices of opening some outgoing and incoming mail and then call the person in and give it to them opened. It never happened to me if it had they would have heard of it for they have no right to because they are not censors. And then some people wonder why they tell us any complaints to congressmen etc must go through their offices or it will go hard with the person who violates it. Big bluff some more of the dictation they try and put once at Barkeley. They should oust that Gen in charge. He gets more silly every day.
Did you know that the Argonaut runs directly between here and L A in fact I watch it go by down in the little valley from here. I can also see some horses grazing in a pasture down there and it is quite useful to look down there.

Will you call up Mr. Matson and ask him if he would be able to mail the roses for me to Miss Mosher for me if I was to send him an order that is if he has time if not I want you to order them elsewhere for me. If I don’t get them soon it will be too late to get them bare roots. Did you show them the pictures of the antiques if so what did they think of them.
I received a nice letter from Aunt Mai Belle and Thelma the other day.
Ray Coates sent me a short note telling me of a play he was in last Friday and wanted me to come in but I was unable to. I shall wait for him to write again and I shall have to write Marshall very soon also but I did send him a card with the picture of the hospital on it because he told me how he liked this type of work. I sure feel sorry for him.

We sure have a lot of pineapple here. They had a very delicious mixture the other day canned peaches and pineapple cobbler, last evening they had cherry pie only made in a large baking pan, for they feed 300. At Barkeley they made 50 pies at a time. If I remember correctly I think. I think the cook told me it took about $4000 per week to feed the company. So you can imagine what it costs here with a few more and better food also. So them you see why when through here we are a very expensive piece of property of the government.

I had better be closing now for I have some study and a lot of it. So good bye for now and I will write sooner next time. Lots of luck and take care of yourself and get your arm taken care of. Thank Muriel for her letter and I will write her also.

Love,
Stanley

19 - 20 January 1943

January 19, 43

Dear Mother:
What do you think of this stationary. I thought it rather pretty and I think you like the emblem of the Medical Department. I will probably only be able to write you a period of five minutes for they are having one of those shows this evening that they request our presence and they usually have a roll call, quite amusing perhaps my writing will be better later on for I am writing sitting on the floor writing on my footlocker.
Well it is now after the show and I am back. The movies were on the spy problem. One of them was a film which was made by the British Government and showed what I think were some actual photos taken in the Dieppe raid, they were too real to be acted. We have seen some very interesting films since my coming into the army. We had a very gruesome but very interesting. They were sponsored by Billie Burke and taken in the Good Samaritan and Cedars of Lebanon hospitals there in L.A. And believe me they surely did not have a thing unseen. It showed them with seven needles in a person’s back giving them a spinal anesthetic and each of the needles believe me were about 3 or 4 inches long and later they showed the doctors hand probing for something in the abdomen and the picture showed finger, neck and other abdominal operations quite a picture.
Did I mention to you of maybe getting a chance for a three months advanced nursing or surgical course. Well the group I am in was called over to the practice ward where a nurse (a 2nd Lieutenant) and a sergeant put on a show of surgical technique of the proper way of putting on gown, gloves and draping the tables and patient preparatory to operating with out contaminating them in any way, quite a procedure and to climax it she told us she would take half the group tomorrow and the other half the next day and we are going to go through the same procedure and even today she watched us each and every one very carefully so it is going to be our first test and I am sure going to try my best, even though I wonder if I will ever make a surgeon’s assistant. What do you think?
I shall close or this evening and take some time for study. Some more tomorrow. Good night.

January 20,
Well we have had another day and they sure go fast here and it seems months since I have been in the army. Does it seem that way to you?
Today ten of us were called into Captain Rosembaum’s office and had another interview and he seemed to ask me a few more questions and he seemed to ask most of us different questions and the questions he asked me mostly questions regarding tracking if I had ever done any and if I liked it and if I would care to track all the time talking in his very fast way but they ceased to scare me a long time ago, that is most of the officers’ favorite trick. Of course what will come of it I do not know. They ask so many foolish or seemingly so. Personally I think our path is all laid out for us without the questions.
I have observed that in everything the Army does, they just pick out a bunch and send them here and there regardless of qualifications whether they are fitted for the position. For instance they brought down here with us a man who never has been very good, so as soon as he got here where he could get whiskey he simply got on one big drunk and the amusing thing was he brought out his bottle and carried it around in a briefcase and was he careful with his case. Well anyhow they finally caught up with him and gave him 30 day detail and are sending him out at the end of the month. And then they tell us that they are spending more on the Medical Department technicians than on any other branch of the Army. They say that it costs them $300 to put one of us through the school here for two months and when we are finally through with our training we are some of the most expensive and costly property of the government. Then they waste time and money sending bums here.

I was quite amused this morning in the kitchen seeing the negro Pfc giving orders to the privates (negroes) and the noise that was going on.

We have one colored boy here going to school taking Dentistry. He sleeps alone and eats at one long table by himself which only he eats at. Rather funny to see him sitting there alone. His name is Washington.
Did I ever tell you they gave us a Dental inspection at Barkeley and they gave me number 4 which is the best.
Well they gave me another No 4 here but they called me in yesterday and put me in the chair and had me open my mouth and he asked where I had my teeth cleaned and said that they needed nothing and seemed quite surprised. They had quite a fuss at Barkeley about them pulling teeth instead of filling them, and in a few cases they pulled all of them and due to the regular army tie ups they went without fake teeth for a month or so.

Miss Mosher has been very kind to me of late. The other day she sent me one of those #1 boxes of chocolate covered cherries and you know how much I like them and she has also sent me the garden section every week.
I am sure going to try my best and send here those roses for she certainly deserves them.
My latest grades have been very satisfactory. None below ninety and that I think is very good, but I shall still continue to study and I am afraid I shall have to draw this letter to a close.
Have you heard from Joe? Did you know or had I told you that there is a huge Texaco Oil refinery a short distance from here and the smoke is settling around it now. I shall write very soon again.

Your son,
Stanley

January 16, 1943

My dear Mother:
I suppose you have been looking in the mail box every day and in hopes of finding a letter there from me. But I think I am in the same boat as you are as far as having a lot of time to write in, because we sure have not had too much in the past week and they have really meant a lot of study for me. I brought my grades up on my Anatomy and Physiology test, as I told you in my brief letter of last week. I got 89 on my first test which did not phase me too much although there is a lot of them leave here with an average of lower than that. So on my Anatomy test which we had for two hours and were graded two times, one for each hour and I got a ‘Xs’, which stands for excellent and is the highest a person may get. How I made out on the other ones I do not know for the grades have not been given out yet.
I received your letter of Jan 11 Friday and was sure glad to receive it as I am all of your letters, for I sure like to receive letters though I am not able to write much myself.
Yes I will receive the large sum of 54 dollars a month now but when they get through hacking at it for insurance which comes to $6.50 and the bond a month at 418.75, and $1.50 for laundry, these deductions will lessen it $26.75 and here at school we only get half or two thirds pay for some very silly reason of which no person has been able to explain as yet, not even the company commander. The only excuse is that this is not our permanent camp or something of that type. So if I find myself running short I will cancel my bonds and if that bond is not there by the fifteenth of February, you let me know and I can cancel it in short order because of they take it from your pay they will present the bond very shortly thereafter or they will hear about it. Some of the boys have been in four and five months and made out family allotments and have had the $22 taken from their pay each month and the family has not received a cent yet. That is very poor management, in my opinion and they treat me better or I will take care of my own money.
The Brooke hospital is strictly an Army hospital but they do have a few civilians there but the head of the hospital is an army man. I have as yet not been once but hope to next month. One of my acquaintances is in the officers ward and says some of them are very easy to care for but there is one Col there who is quite a problem and is always fighting with the nurses and ward attendants all the time. There was a Col. Over there that died last week. Most of the army hospitals are named after Medical Corps generals etc such as the Letterman in San Francisco and the Fitzsimmons in Denver. They practically established the Medical Branch and there is the Walter Reid in Washington DC.
I also received the box of letters and the handkerchiefs and sox for which I want to thank you for as you say they come in handy and also the letters. The one from Camp Cooke I do not even know the person although he knows me. He speaks of Mr. Vosbery and school and of Carl Hamilton but do not think I will even answer it for I cannot even read his name. If it comes to me who he is I may but I already have too much writing. I also sent a short note to Ray Coates telling him I was here, perhaps I will see him soon and Marshall’s letter was quite peculiar and he did not state why he wrote to me instead of here. One of his statements was: “I am saying these things because I realize now, more than ever that I may never see you personally again” and he refers to Dec 7, 41 a year ago and also refers that he may go overseas or that I might. What do you think of that?
I sure appreciate your sending me the newspaper clippings from home, although San Antonio has newspapers but they do not compare with L.A. papers.
What did you think of the inside of Joe’s house and the Chinese rug etc. Quite nice of Mrs Scheltina to call on you. She is quite sociable that way and her curiosity was probably getting the best of her and if I know them they have discussed us pro and con, and both of them are good at flattery. She never gets much company from Mr. Scheltina. You know he is 80y old and that is quite a bit older than she.
Do not forget my s----(?) is in the chest in my room, so watch it once in a while. Do this Nelson’s parents have money?
The reason I asked about the church is that there is one of those religious fanatics here who’s always talking about his church but since I have learned to stay away from these religious fanatics. You wouldn’t want to meet a much lazier bunch or a worst bunch. There was a 7-day Adventist and he would not do a thing on Saturday until the company commander let him go into town on Saturday and then he had Sunday off with us also. The whole bunch of them give me a pain.
Cameras are prohibited here on the post.
You speaking of chauffeurs: all the colonels, majors etc here have negro chauffeurs in uniforms. In fact this school is quite the style. But most captains etc have not had any real military experience and it gives me a laugh to try and carry on a military display of any kind.
One of them who we call Dr. IQ because he has a fifteen minute question period every day at the beginning of class and he talks just like the Dr IQ of the radio. His real name is Dr. Rosenbaum. Guess what? He can not stay in step with our platoon so he changes cadence to match his about every 30 steps. He came out yesterday morning for inspection with a lovely pair of nice brown shoes and we had quite a heavy fog and the ground was quite moist and the soil quite sticky. Only the soil is black here and in digging a place to stand (he can’t see as the others can where to stand so he has to step it of and mark it so when he comes back he won’t lose his place). He got mud or soil all over his shoes and if he wasn’t a sight standing there at attention trying to scrape off the mud. Of course they are all like that here, because they were given their commission upon entering the army.
And then we have the cute little major who comes in for inspection Saturday morning in a large overcoat and nice kid gloves with which he rubs his finger things to find dust and he is quite agile for he climbs up on beds so that he may his fingers on the rafters to see if there is dust there also, all the time moving very quickly.
You would enjoy seeing some of the beautiful spots here. The big shod(?) houses and there is quite a few of them have huge ancient houses here on the post. The houses are a cross between true southern and probably little French. Some of them 2 or 3 stories high. I would sure like to have some pictures of them.


Last Sunday I went to Brackenridge park where they have an enormous zoo with loads of animals and birds of all descriptions.
I also saw my first Texas longhorn steers there and also a cross between the steers and one of the Burmese animals. With the hump on their back. I can’t think of their name now and what a huge animal it made.
I just turned around and there stood the colonel with an elaborately dressed captain and two women one of them has on a gorgeous mink coat. I suppose she is the colonel’s wife. Quite a show here all the time.


Also at Breckenridge park I went to the Sunken Gardens which is an abandoned rock quarry which has been made into a sunken garden with water in the bottom and little planks. I will send you post cards of it. I am sure you would like it.
The reason I asked about Camp Young was that there is a boy in the barracks who is attached to a tank destroyer outfit who has moved there and he will join them there the end of the month after he is finished here with his schooling here.
I shall go into town one of these evenings and have some pictures taken to send to you.
I asked Mr. Matson if he would send me a copy of his rose list so that I could order some for Miss Mosher and asked if he could mail them to Alhambra, but he in his letter to me said he did not as yet have one made up but he didn’t mention sending them for me. So I am in a state of wonderment. I had intended them for a Xmas gift and told her they would be later. Although I suppose he will send it later and I hope not too late, for he is that way.
The weather here was quite warm until today the coldest wind came up and it made everybody want to go inside and I decided to stay in also and not go into town, instead write letters and got caught up on them.
I have seen one show since leaving home and that was “Once Upon a Honeymoon”. I think Cary Grant and Ginger Rodgers and it was quite good but I would just as well spend my time when I do go into town in seeing the beauty spots. The Alamo is quite interesting and quite pretty in the Spring time. I suppose you know that it is directly in the center of town, quite an unusual place for something of that type.
I had the other evening or that is Friday evening while I was in town for the third time since I have been here. My hair cut and the stripe sewed on my coat – one on each sleeve, but I would like it much better if it were about three of them but I can wait a while.
You had better go see a doctor about your arm because do not take chances with it. Did you ever get both Blairs’ addresses. I might send him a card sometime.
I had better be closing now for this letter is becoming quite bulky and will save some to write later.
With lots of love,
Stanley
Insurance receipt enclosed.

11 January 1943

January 11, 1943

Dear Folks:
I will drop you a line to let you know that I am quite well and doing quite fine although I got 89 on my first Nursing test which I did not like too well so that I will have to study some more, although some got as low as 20 etc. I did take time out to go into town Sunday although I should have stayed home and written some letters especially to you.
Regarding the camera carrier, go ahead and get it but do not send it until I ask you to. They are contraband here.
I have not as yet received the four letters as yet, the mail is in a great mess. I receive my mail here which has been sent to Barkeley and they in turn send it to the Brooke General Hospital and they send it on here. Some are getting mail that was mailed before Xmas.
We are now having three hours of Anatomy and Physiology(?) and the Metric system. I have then Nursing and Surgical Technique, the balance, quite a program with loads of after class study.
I have some nice cards here that I will send home for you to look at and see some of the beauty of San Antonio because it is surely an interesting place and it entices me every Sunday so do forgive me for not writing you. I hope to be able to get you a surprise in a few days. So be expecting it.
It is almost 9 and bed time so I will close for now and answer your last letter later.
Love,
Stanley

3 January 1943

Fort Sam Houston, Texas
January 3, 1942 (1943)

My Dear Mother
Well here I am just where I thought I would be and what a paradise this is. I was certainly glad to be able to leave Camp Barkeley. There were eleven of us from Co A 62 to go and I last saw the camp there about seven thrity AM. We gathered at Battalion headquarters and from there we went to Regimental headquarters where we joined others from there. We got on army trucks and went up to the 53 Battalion where there were more. We were then put aboard Greyhound buses - four of them – 36 to a bus and headed almost directly South for San Antonio which by the way is 260 miles from Abilene. We very soon left the country around Abilene and came into a richer looking part of Texas where we found larger trees, some evergreen and some deciduous what types they were I could not get close enough to tell. We crossed good sized streams saw large herds of cattle and sheep and a few pigs. Saw some nice apple orchards and I believe peach or something like that type. In all we came into a more beautiful country.
As we came into San Antonio we came through the richer residential section and what beautiful homes, with a lot of evergreen shrubs and quite a bit of dormant material and some beautiful poinsettias which in some places had been nipped by frost but did not seem to detract from their beauty very much. And the grounds here are very beautiful with just loads of interesting material which I am quite sure will interest me.
We alighted here and were sent to various barracks which are simply wonderful compared to Barkeley Heights. They are thermostatically controlled heated wonderful electric lights in abundance and everything in the building that a person would possibly have need for except writing tables which are just across the way in the Recreation room.
And we also find we are treated as students and not as soldiers and we do not have kitchen duty or the various other duties which we had to contend with back there. I am on the second floor in the corner and I can look out one window and see the swimming pool and beyond the class rooms and the answers below are lined with trees and other shrubs such as privet crape myrtle and believe it or not Bermuda grass lawns.
We arrive at 5:45 and the lights are out at nine. We go to classes from 8:00 until 4:00 with an hour our for lunch which is quite ideal, then on three days a week we have marching and barracks clean up from 4-5 otherwise we have the rest of the time to ourselves which we can go to town or study or do as we please and we can go to town which is about a half hour ride away on a very efficient bus system as we please without having to go through the red tape of a pass etc.
The kitchen is run by a very efficient crew of negroes and whites and the food is very good, served on nice trays.
We see very few officers here and when we do they are colonel, captains or majors and they do not bother us and in town the saluting is not compulsory to the extent it was in Abilene.
Now to tell you more of what kind of school I am going to here. It is called Medical Service School, which is broken up into a Medical, Surgical, Pharmacy, Laboratory and maybe one other, in other words a person coming here if he passes will get a technician rating such as technical Sgts or tech Cpl. I belong to the Surgical technicians school. Whether I will like or not I do not know. But time will tell. The schooling consists of 4 weeks in class, 1 week in practice ward and 3 remaining weeks in actual duty in the Brooke Gen. Hospital which I am sending you a picture of and then in my case of an unattached person and the rest of the same type they pick out the 10 best and keep them 3 months more in actual work in the hospital which usually earns them a rating of Staff Sgt.
There are all types going here. The attached ones are the ones that are already attached to such as Air Corps, Tank Destroyer divisions and a great many others, which upon their completion f their two months training they return t their stations. Some of them are Sgts, Corporals. Private First class etc and there is no distinction between us. We all eat at together etc while at Camp Barkeley the cadre eat alone slept alone etc.
But we have none of that here. The one class and I can also look out the window here and see the W A A C S who have not been here long and are stationed about a block away and they are not thought too well of her either. And from now on I am entitled to wear one stripe and my title Private First Class. What do you think of that?
I think I will draw this letter to a close and perhaps go into town with one of the boys.
Where is Camp Young there and what is the Nazarene church like?
Will you please send me back the packet of letter which I sent home for I put some of the wrong ones in. It is 11:00 AM so I had better be on my way.
PFC Stanley W Safford 39539976
Co “B” Med Serv Sch
Barracks #3
Ft Sam Houston, Texas

31 December 1942

Medical Corps
Camp Barkeley, Texas
December 31, 1942

Dear Folks:
Well I am leaving here tomorrow about 6:45 AM, that is if nothing happens, which would not surprise me, if they go as they usually do. They took me completely by surprise and I did not know it until 6:00 PM when I was going by board and happened to stop and see my name along with about eight others. And to top it I am on Regimental Guard Duty tonight from eight until eleven , where I am now. This is the Colonel Headquarters usually higher than most of us ever get the honor of serving on.
Received your Air Mail letter today and was quite relieved to hear from you. Had not heard from you since Christmas Day mail call.
Also received the package from Aunt Nina this evening, there is more Xmas mail coming in now than before Xmas and they are simply swamped. You mentioned me maybe calling home Xmas. I thought of it but Abilene only has one line out and it was swamped so I was told by a couple who tried but did not succeed, so I gave the idea up although it would only cost 1.90 for three minutes, which is not so bad I think.
I have not heard definitely where I am going but I have gotten wind that it is Fort “Sam Houston” in San Antonio, which would be better than this place I suppose, or so I have heard.
I had better close now and get this on the way and will let you hear from me at new destination and I hope a new title and address.
Good bye for now,
Stanley

26 December 1942

Medical Corps
Camp Barkeley, Texas
December 26, 1942

Dear Folks:
Well here I am on the day after Christmas and quite an enjoyable one it was for me and quite a few very nice gifts and very pretty cards, which was quite a surprise for me considering the conditions.
First of all was the lovely gifts from you, but you should not have gone to the trouble and expense because you have already done so much for me. And I suppose you are wondering where my gratitude is with not even as much as a card from me, but as I said before, I could not get into town to find any. I did have one of the boys here who goes into town quite often to see his wife get me some in a box they were fair but not very presentable and sent them as far as they would go thru I knew I could and would be able to go into town the 24th so would then mail you a telegram but they have stopped all messages of greeting on the 23. So I was out of luck there also, had intended one also for Paul and Thelma Chapin, so you can tell her the circumstances and I will write her a letter of thanks very soon.
The camera is just what I wanted and was overly pleased with it, the candy is delicious and I am going quite easy on it and for myself only. I also enjoy the nuts very much and Muriel’s sewing kit will come in very handy as yet have not had much of that type of things to do. The clothes are all new so they do not need very much mending as yet. I have not as yet tried the camera but will tomorrow and will probably go over to see Fred K and take a couple of him. He was over to see me yesterday in fact he was here when I got your two letters and I told him about writing the letters you mentioned Harry asking him to write. He is having quite a good time and seems to be enjoying it and spoke of getting a drink from one of the Sgts so I think he will get along alright.
Mr. and Mrs. Matson sent me a wonderful tin box of salted nuts of five kinds (Brazil, Almond, Pecan, Filbert and cashews) It has been worth something and was very kind of them to send it.
Miss Mosher sent me a little leather case with comb and fingernail file quite nice as well as handy.
And Jay sent me two one dollar bills which he should not have done and I am going to write him immediately after writing this so as not to offend him, which would be the last thing I would want to do, or would never hear the last of it.
Maibelle and Ed sent me a very nice set of Coty’s Shaving cream and powder with wash cloth accompanying it which in all was very nice. I may send part or all of it home expect the cloth home.
Have not received the package from Nina and Bill as yet Jay mentions a promotion of some kind in his letter or note.
Paul and Thelma sent a very nice package only I wish they had not done so much. It contained some of her toll house cookies which were very good, some gum, tooth powder comb, caramel candies and a couple flashlight batteries for my little flashlight and they were all wrapped individually. In all, it was very lovely.
Then Joseph sent me a very nice atlas and Mrs. Scheltema sent me some fruit cake and some nuts which I have not tasted as yet but they both sure look very good.
My trip into Abilene was not much of a success and I found nothing as a gift for you folks but I am still young to continue trying, the main part of town is about 4 blocks wide and 4 blocks long, from there out the town is still there for quite a distance but nothing to see there and of course there was a nice crowd also but I did have a very good steak dinner, but waited long enough for it so in all came back rather disgusted with the whole works.
Well perhaps I have some very good news maybe. Last Monday they called a list of names at mail call and my name was not on it which was nothing unusual for they quite often call lists of some kind and my name is on very few of them so I went on about my business and went to the barber, but before I got back I was told my name had been called and they had wondered where I had been and when I got back to our hutiment they told me here that is a couple boys here, that my name had been called along with some others who were not there also so there might have been a second list as they quite often have around here to make it more confusing. And I have not been able to get over to Battalion headquarters to make sure of my name on the list as yet.
Well what it is, is a group of boys they pick out for further training as male nurses, X-ray experts, pharmacists and a couple others and they are going to take a three months training period in either Houston, Fort Worth, El Paso or Denver, Colorado. The latter would suit me, and the climax is they are leaving about the first of January which would also suit me and that would in advance of the others. Of course I am not quite sure, but any way I am going to send something home the first part of the week. Among them will be some letters which you can leave unopened and put away for me also there will be a small pin for Muriel and her Christmas present will be later also.
While I am thinking of it, could you get me a leather case for the camera? I do not believe they would cost very much. I think the book with camera lists on it about $2 so if you are downtown and have time will you pick one up for me, for I would hate to drop it while carrying it also it will keep it in better shape. I hope you are keeping track of all these things you are getting for me and also the postage in fact everything because I intend to pay for it.
The glove (extra one) you sent is the wrong one can also too small but thanks for sending it anyway. The note book and paper are very satisfactory. The news paper clippings are very welcome and the comedy are excellent.
I received cards from both Blairs, the Miners and one from Ann - and is their name spelled Reid – and one from one of the customers of the nursery whom I never paid much attention to, in fact never cared for too much, but she is one of the socialites of Hollywood so will have t write a note to her. I had better begin to think of closing for now because it is getting late and will write some more tomorrow morning when I awake. Goodnight.

Sunday AM
The wind blew all night and managed to blow up some clouds as well as make t quite cold this morning and we have both stoves going. The windows all shake which make the entire building shake.
The Christmas dinner was the same as the Thanksgiving dinner except we had fruit cake which was quite strong of whiskey.
But we here did not care for the meal as we did the Thanksgiving meal and it was quite cold also. All the officers and those that are married had their wives there and a few of the boys here who have wives here or other relatives also had them here. Some of the boys wives are staying here and a couple of their mothers are also here. One of the boys wives was already to leave L.A for here when his name was called to leave here next week, so he telegrammed home for her to stay there, he is looking forward to seeing her after getting to the next station.
One of the Sgts who has always put on. he is someone around here and is about 5’6 at most , showed up with his wife an awful looking small red head a little shorter than he all painted up and wearing green shoes and green accessories. We are all getting quite a laugh about it here. Of course some of them here don’t seem to have much else to do but talk about officers etc. but I myself have a lot more to do.
Well it is after lunch. I played cards before lunch which by the way was a pretty good one.
We have just finished having mail call and they called off a list of men to turn in their items which they were issued here but my name was not on it so evidently I am not going with them. I am going over to headquarters to find out about it tomorrow and then I will know for sure maybe.
Your speaking of Christmas cards as you say the one you sent is surely a lovely one. Mr. Ricks sent me a very pretty one but quite large and a display of money.
How did Muriel come out on her P O work?
Probably Don Finleys going will be a great aid to Mrs. Finley for now she may get some rest.
The Seis candy is certainly delicious and I am keeping it also.
I wrote Aunt Ina about a month ago. Have not had an answer as yet so now I know the reason.
The pink grapefruit I spoke of are quite real and they are much sweeter than the other type if grown in a nice warm location.
They raise them down in the Rio Grande valley where citrus fruit does quite well. And I am going to send you some if I have to go after them.
I am glad you liked your birthday present and I am quite sure Aunt Nina has very good taste on such things.
I am very surprised at Clair sending you another pictures of their spoiled beats. Quite a bit of ------
Mr. Ricks was not to pay for the azalea.
The lack of rain there is rather funny but you may get all of it after the first of the year as we have in previous years.
There is planted under the tree some of the small bulbs of narcissus and some anemones. How are the little bulbs coming along in between the house or fence under Muriel’s window or do you remember the little baby narcissus I had there. Sure hope the gopher didn’t get any of my bulbs. Why don’t you plant some sweet peas and have some nice cut flowers.
I had better think of closing before this letter become too bulky and they charge you extra postage or have they already. I hope you can read it because I am writing it on my knees again, for we have no desk or table in these gorgeous hutiments. I might call you some evening so do not be surprised. Good bye for now, dear Mother. I will write more later.
Your son,
Stanley
Did I send you the reception the insurance and I am enclosing one for the bonds which you can keep for me. Also thanks a lot for the Air Mail letter or envelopes rather.
Stanley

20 December 1942

December 20, 1942

Dearest Folks,
I suppose you have been worrying about of late because I have not written you since a week ago. The reason is this. They have been planning on moving for weeks now and the first of the week they started on some of the supply, sgts and headquarters tents. And of course the usual confusion that takes place whenever they do anything here started, and I do mean started. And on top all this confusion there are once 20% of the company in the hospital with the flu or severe colds. With these conditions they continue to feed starches potatoes every meal and the big farce of a ceremony in the morning (roll call where they do not check whether you are there or not, which takes about 6:45. It doesn’t get light here until 8:10 and it is usually quite cold also and they would tell us not to wear overcoats after breakfast. So, Monday night they pulled another trick and had a nice road march and I was perfectly well up to that time, they had us carry loaded stretchers and then had us sit down and rest that is where it started and I got chilled as soon as we got back. I gargled my throat good and poured the Vicks on well. The next morning I awoke with a minor sore throat. Some of them were not able to come out at all. I continued the same procedure because I did not want to find myself in the hospital with the rest of them. I attended classes Tuesday and Wednesday when my throat was practically well but you know my old fault of losing my voice which I did, so Thursday I decided to stay in the tent. My throat was probably just overworked for every time you speak you have to speak twice as loud as is necessary to be heard over the constant noise that goes on here 24 hours a day. Then Friday we moved into our hutimets? And more confusion well as soon as we got moved in I got into bed again to be still and have some rest and I stayed yesterday also and am here today also although my voice is much improved.
They are taking measures to control it now forbidding spitting on ground which used to almost make me sick. Of course I do very little of it as you know and they are cramming us into stuffy mess hall classes either well, I hope we are all on the road to good health again and that I managed to escape with what I did.
Our new hutiments (?) are very nice. They are brought in in sections and put together and the walls and roof are about 1 in thick of some kind of pourers material coated on both sides with a type of tar. It is made by Johns Manville[1] because the initials J M are printed about a foot large on each peace. Jonnie Manville should be able to get rich of a few more wives with what he is making on this war. And of course they are all built lower than the ground around upon cement blocks these dumb Texans do not know any better and don’t want to and the government lets them put up such messes. Then they dig trenches around them to keep the water out. And on top all these conditions the government picks out a site like this for a camp so large. The old outhouses they used when we first came here became full. They started to fill them in. It flooded then they had to spray the entire length of house locations and what a sensed they have down there now then the brilliant sargeants got the idea of building raised walks yesterday so they did making them sloping towards the center and if everything is not a mess now for is rained all night and parts of today in fact right now.
Well enough for the woes of Camp Barkeley and to a more agreeable subject. There are fourteen in a building and thankfully we have quite an agreeable bunch. One in particular who has an IQ of 131 which by the way is ten higher than mine which is very good and you would think him to be a regular rattle brain to see him, but anyway he is inclined to gamble and never loses. He is supposed to have won a thousand dollars or more. In fact a few have seen it but I haven’t. They had quite a rumpus the other evening. One of the lieutenants mishandled one of the boys gambling who I guess he shouldn’t have and the boys were quite a few drunk. I think this boy has a pull of some kind I think.
Yes, I received the package Thursday and it is upon the shelf unopened, we had to buy the four electric light bulbs ourselves for our hutiment, quite a joke is it not. And I sincerely want you to know how much I appreciate it and I am quite sure I will be overjoyed when I open it.
But as to the presents for you, Muriel and probably Frances. I have not been able to get into town as much as I regret to say it so. I will make it up to you after Xmas although I am awfully sorry for it doesn’t make them seem like a Christmas gift if you get it afterwards.
I received a very nice card and note from the Miners, thought some of sending them a card but did not know their address then thought better of it. Is there any one I have not contacted that you think I should write to. You might get me Mrs Bourgonne’s correct name spelling and address and I will write them a note for she asked me to and I am going to send Paul and Thelma a card and addressing it Chappin. If I am wrong you can call her and tell her I made a mistake to cover up for me, She sent me a nice Birthday card I cannot understand Marshall not mentioning my letter if he got it. I will mention it on my Christmas card to him. He is not as prompt as answering his letters and he probably has quite a lot more time now also. I do not have Clarence and Frances Wilde’s address. You might send it to me and I might drop them a note. I also wrote Jay a line.
You asking me if it has seemed a long time since I have been away. Yes, it does. It seems months but I might be him soon for time sure flies especially as busy as they keep us here. I understand the next place will not be so bad then I hope to be able to keep up with my correspondence in a more business like manner. Fred spoke of going out for truck driving, yes I suppose he will. They have literally hundreds of trucks and ambulances. I have seen as many as one hundred ambulances in a driving test convoy, most of them are Dodges while most of the trucks are GMC and the big ones have ten gears in them including reverse and they also have quite a few half tracks. The average training class usually manages to do 1000 dollars damage to the ambulances and trucks and some of them are wore out at 10,000 miles and they are now claiming the Dodges are no good, use a quart of oil in one night fifty miles, quite an expense. Of course they are all governed(?) to 35 miles per hour. If they didn’t they would be wrecked sooner I suppose.
My letter is perhaps getting very long and boring by now, but it is perhaps my last one to you before Christmas. Has Marie returned the pictures as yet?
And Mother, whatever you do, do not work too hard Christmas. Have you gone to see a doctor about your arm and have you as yet gone on the dinner I told you anniversary if not you had better or I am going to do something else about it. Have you seen Matson’s recently, it is funny they have not answered my letter, it seems that people mention me not writing but when I do they don’t seem to answer it. How funny. Did Mrs. Barrow take the job at Matsons? If so, does she like it as well now. By the way what do you think of their house. Do you think it is very nice or is it what you expected.
I suppose Grandpa keeps the room all closed up now that I am away?
Have you found anything more on the camera as yet.
How is Uncle Bill coming with the draft?
I had better be closing now and I hope you have a very happy Christmas and lets hope we can look to a better and happier New Year.
Your son, Stanley
[1] Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has sales in excess of $2 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs about 9,000 people and operates 43 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China.
1945: Government mandates production of asbestos-containing insulation products (silica/asbestos combination) to insulate Navy vessels, and products for other war purposes.
1939: Johns-Manville shifts into wartime production.

December 1, 1942

From Pvt Stanley Safford
US Army
Co A 62 Med Tng Bn
Camp Barkeley
Texas

December 1, 1942
Dearest Mother:
I have been trying to get a chance to write you a little ever since Thursday, but have not been able to get around to it although did get one mailed to Marshall and Frances and was sure glad to get them off.
I also was in hopes of finishing something to send you for a wedding anniversary present but could not find anything within the limits of this place then today thought of a telegram but the only place is at the other end of the camp about three or four miles so I want you to go out to a nice place for dinner and a show and I will pay for it. Yes I am quite rich. We were paid yesterday and I got the large sum of thirty-seven dollars and they were all brand new ones so I will therefore send some money home if I can get to the post office some evening before it closes which is seven. I am usually through eating about six fifteen then we have mail call at six thirty then I usually wouldn’t be able to get down if it takes as long to call the mail as it did this evening. I missed dinner this evening to get a haircut to avoid having to stand in line an hour or so after dinner and I told him in good plain English what kind of a haircut I wanted and I believe I got it because the other boys in the tent remarked upon what a good one it was compared to some that some of the others have gotten.
We had an exceptionally large meal this noon and it was quite good but a little greasy so I could afford to miss this evening as a lot of them do to avoid getting stomach ache as I had last night, we don’t do much so a heavy and greasy meal is quite often too much.
The reason for only 37 dollars is insurance for two months – November and December, $6.50 each month - I put down the proper things on the insurance policy only was not sure of the birth place and after thinking of your middle name I got the idea that it might be Helen but I am alright on it now. And if you will send me Dads birthplace, date etc I may need it.
The process of paying us here is quite a procedure we one at a time come before a first lieutenant who calls the last name and we answer with our first and middle initials, then next to him sits the company commander who has a few stacks of new bills in front of him: ones, fives, tens and twenties, then piles of silver all new. We salute him, he counts the money on the table before him, we bend over, scoop the money into our hat, thank him and walk on to the next lieutenant and assistant who is there for the purpose of collecting for the laundry the awful price of four dollars a month but I have not sent any in as yet but will this month because I do not have time to do my own and will put the extra time into writing or something of that kind of course they have to take it 200 miles to the laundry.
I just had to tell the bunch of Mexicans at the other end of the table to shut up or get out, the bunch of dirty monkeys get in here and start chattering and jarring the table and making a lot of noise. They sure could get rid of a lot of them here to suit a lot of us.
Well perhaps the most sensational news of the week was what took place Friday. I was called before the company commander who is a first lieutenant for a promotion. And was I frightened and nervous! Because I couldn’t imagine what he could want me for until the first (..) told me it was regarding officers training, so when I walked into the tent I expected to find him and probably one or two others but instead there were six or eight first and second lieutenants flanked sitting in chairs each side of him. I had to walk to the desk, salute, then stand at attention and answer his questions then when the interview was done I had to thank him then salute again then make an about face and walk out being till under the steady view of all in the room. Have not heard anything of it yet and may not until the end of the tests and then maybe not then. In fact I am beginning to wonder if it would interest me of course it would mean 6 more months here for me.
We have been out of coal here for two days so I got my hands dirty this evening trying to get a fire started and it didn’t want to start too well.
We have had ice a couple mornings. We got up this morning and it wasn’t bad but we had no sooner gotten to the classes (?) in the tent when clouds gathered and a strong cold wind came up and we would like to have frozen before we were brought into the mess hall.
And by the way while I am on the subject I want you to send me a pair of gloves, fleece lined if possible. I have lost one of the poor kind they gave us and the cold seemed to come right through them. Most of the workmen here working on the new buildings wear those hats usually checkered with flap down over the ears and gloves, then watch them trying to work with all that. No wonder the buildings are not done.
I have not been into Abilene as yet and perhaps may not go but once if then. From what I hear it is not much of a place. I may go just to see what it is like.
As to what they do for amusement around here, well most of us either study or write and the rest gamble and for no small stakes from what I hear. One of the boys here won 140 dollars yesterday. Of course it was pay day and much to my astonishment I went to the lavatory this morning at 2:30am – I have not usually gone until 6:30 and when I opened the door there they were in there, gambling and no small crowd either. There is usually four or five crowds in there gambling and the rest of the oakies standing around the fire completely fill the place so anyone else can not get in. They have two companies using a one company lavatory now and company B is all from Alabama or somewhere and if they are not peculiar looking bunch and they are continually having to give them inspections on finger nails with bath etc because they don’t keep themselves very clean, and they for amusement play a banjo and sing some of these awful songs of Texas plains and the tent right in back of us is full of a bunch that hog call etc all hours of the day and night. Quite enjoyable with their very good English along with it.
We have some very interesting persons in our company also two or three of them they have sent to the asylum already and a lot more of them could be there with them.
There is one that is one of the filthiest people I have ever seen. It actually is in crusts on him and his mouth hangs open and his nose runs continually and in class he asks questions about something entirely or about two classes late. He almost made me sick at the dinner table today. He had messed out everything within reach then he had a piece of meat left on his dish, then he proceeded to offer it to each one of us at the table telling us that it was a shame to waste good meat that had not been touched.
Then we have a seven day Adventist in the same tent with him who is a vegetarian and will above all not do a thing on Saturday. Then there is one person who is probably fifty years old and was perhaps a drunkard previous to here and they found him drunk on the field today and perhaps as I have not told you this county is dry – not even beer – and come to find out he had been working in the kitchen and he had gotten hold of a bottle of pure vanilla and drank it ha! Ha! And was he drunk!
And we have quite a few others also.
I am enclosing a sample of the notebook paper I would like you to get for me. I got it there on Central at Vests(?). The only place I have been able to find it and also will you send me a notebook of about seven by nine or approx. only not one of the large ones (loose leaf of course and perfectly a loose soft cover and get quite a lot of paper for each of them.
Speaking of the camera – do not get too cheap a one or of course too expensive. I have seen too many of the cheap complicated ones sent here that do not work after a short time.
Joseph kept harping on what he could send me in his letter so I will ask him if he wants to get me one of those small atlases showing all countries etc. but I would like you to send me a map of the US.
I sure enjoyed and appreciated getting the newspaper clippings and if you get any more on the African of French situation would you send more (of) them. They may come in handy.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner and I had a short spell of homesickness when they had a couple boys play la Golondrina[1].http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX7Dikxmt3U It reminded me of home for some reason. The meal was just as the menu you sent me.
I am enclosing a couple clippings clipped from a Fort Worth paper, one dealing with the Balkan 2nd front. The first of any mention I have heard of it and who may be backing it.
I received a nice card and letter from Miss Mosher. I wrote her first sometime ago. The mail I sometimes wonder if it leaves here and comes in as promptly as it may. I also wrote Matson’s some time ago but have received a note from Mrs. Moore whose letter was mailed the same time I mailed Matson’s. I do not quite understand. Glad to hear that they got it. I will write another letter very soon and tell you more about myself and answer some of your questions in your letter before last and as you said I am full of figures and loads of news and elaborate latin names of bones etc and nice long names for some army terms.
If I get my picture taken, do you want it in a garrison cap (with the bill) or the other skull cap type? I do not have one of the first and I will have to have time to buy one. But there may be a chance I will get home after the first of 43. I will also try and get something for Muriel and send her. I had better be closing now for it is getting late.
Good bye with lots of love,
Stanley
[1] MEXICAN SONG CREATED BY Narciso Serradel Sevilla, 1862. (1843-1910), a native of Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico, was both a doctor and a composer. During the war against the French Maximiliano, Serradel fought against the French Imperial troops alongside General Zaragoza. He was taken prisoner - and deported to France. He is most famous for his popular song of farewell, "La Golondrina." The song is often thought of as "traditional."

November 22, 1942

From Pvt Stanley Safford
US Army
Co A 62 Med Tng Bn
Camp Barkeley
Texas

November 22, 1942
Dear Folks:
Hear it is Sunday and my first free Sunday in the army. I awoke this morning quite early and the usual cold strong wind was blowing and I did not get up for breakfast and understand that I did not miss very much, then got dressed and went out with the intention of going to church but could not find it and nobody at that time could tell me where it was. It was in one of the tents last Sunday. SO I then returned home to our tent and like to have frozen half to death before getting back. SO I will spend the most of the day writing letters which I am far behind on because of lack of time and by the (way) I do not have Jay Elmonts’ address which you can send me.
We have had the fire in the tent all day and upon going out I have had to put on our field jacket and the pair of gloves and lunch was quite good but this evening meal was not very good.
They opened the new latrine (lavatory) and shower room last evening and it was a very happy occasion for our camp to have hot water once again and it sure feels good.
Last Tuesday we went on a nine mile hike up into the hills where there are a few small cypress and some small undergrowth and we then had lunch there then returned home after repacking our tents etc. They not only had the ambulances but the kitchen and water trucks full of boys who thought they could not make it and didn’t. On the march we walked through the ground where the 90th division of infantry practices and saw their camouflaged trucks and guns, also we had some gas masks practices on the way.
We also had a class on gas masks drill this week. First we went out on the field and they exploded three different types of gasses to let us smell and we then went into the gas shelter to see what one was like. From there we went into a house with our gas masks on and went through the procedure of a drill we were then told to take off our masks and walk from the house. We then discovered that the room was filled with tear gas. From there we went outside into the air. The purpose of the drill was to give us confidence in our mask. The gas comes at a person like a huge cloud of smoke and quite thick and it was all quite interesting and we have had some very interesting classes on gas, orientation, bandaging, Germany invasion scheme etc. Can’t you just see me all wrapped up in bandages of all kinds and descriptions around the legs etc.
We have also had the first stages of letter carrying which does not seem to(o) interesting any way the first part of it.
We have some interesting character here in camp. One of them can ask some of the funniest questions imaginable and when the officers see him getting ready to ask one they grim to themselves, such as the one he asked on what to do with the gas mask when crossing a stream to protect it from the water. The captain answered him to use his own judgment in carrying it but only above water – quite a character(!) how he even got her is a problem to us all because he even looks crazy.
We then had the person whom I often wanted to ask if I had ever seen before, the first thing we heard was that they had him in the guardhouse for going under an assumed name and having had a previous jail record in L A and that he was a real colored boy from the Central Avenue district and his real name was Brown and he was using the name Martiny but he could speak a little Spanish, which made it the much more surprising but anyway they have gotten rid of him.
They are just beginning to start separating the cooks and truck drivers from our company, they will be for the balance of the six weeks given classes according to their line because they all have to have the basic two weeks training. They will still belong to the medical corps only they will do the cooking and the ambulance driving.
The camp was in quite an uproar last evening because the two weeks quarantine was up and that meant the granting of passes to town etc. But quite a few of them could not go because we have not as yet got our hats or caps back, which they tool to have braids put on them about a week and a half ago they are to be maroon piped with white you have perhaps noticed it but did not know that you could tell what they belonged to by the color of the braid.
In our handbooks it tells us all the designs we will see and the colors they will be in we now have three handbooks and two books of mimeographed papers which we as yet have not had much time to study. I may have spoken of it before but our emblem is called the caduceus. It is Mercury’s staff with wings attached and two snakes entwined around it. I think it is probably one of the nicest emblems that I have seen before. Of course you know that the officers wear a black and gold braid in their hats.
I received the box of things you sent and I sure appreciate them especially the candy, almonds, pecans and the dictionary. It has come in very handy already. I also received Muriel’s letter and want to thank her for Luther’s address and she is right about his mother being able to talk a leg off a person. I have been trying to find something to send home as a souvenir but yet have not found anything worthwhile but perhaps will find something of some value in the near future. I walked over to the other side of the camp this evening but didn’t find anything there to give you an idea of the size of the camp. They have a three thousand bed hospital over there. You perhaps do not have any idea of the size of this camp.
You speaking of cameras, there is a fairly nice camera and camera supply store on the North side of Sixth street between Olive and Grand anyway in the same block as the Beltmore. You might be able to find something there.
Tell Muriel that is she wants gum I can get it for her at 3c per pkg. approx. if she want it they do seem to have plenty of that here.
If the things on the back porch are bulbs, you can plant them now, as for the bulbs along the fence they are not planted clear to the South end and I thought I left a ridge there.
As for the bulbs in the refrigerator you can plant them anywhere as long as they get a part day shade and plant the crowns about five inches deep and perhaps you can wait until about Xmas before planting them. How are the callas coming out front. If you get time, would you check all the labels on my cymbidiums and make sure they are all kept tagged in some way and if you would make out a list of them and what size pot they are in and if they are in the ground, I will perhaps then let you know further what to do with them. Have you as yet seen Mr. Matson and showed him the pictures of the antiques and gotten the Hollandin azalea for Mr. Ricks.
Speaking of pictures will you have another set of them made including the ones taken at Joe’s house and send them to me because I would like to send him the ones taken at his home and distribute the other ones taken at his house and distribute the other ones in a couple chain letters to them and back to me and out again. Have you got the antiques covered as yet? There is a table cloth out in the backroom on the table that may be used if cleaned maybe. Do you play the phonograph very much? But don’t let Muriel play it. I have Aunt Maybells’ address.
And if Ned Safford follows the footsteps of his parents you probably won’t hear from him.
The letters and cards I mailed in Phoenix were mailed by the lieutenant in charge because we were not able to go into any depot of any kind.
I sometimes wonder if the Tanabes’ really trusted you with the packages you speak of as for insuring them for twelve thousand dollars I do not know.
I do not know or see any signs of any one getting fat on the food here.
The dark glasses will sure come in handy.
One of the boys in my tent is a Basque and is sure a nice person to good hearted for his own good the one next to him is a nice person perhaps a man of 35 or 40 rather hard of hearing and easy to get along with the next one is a dirty Mexican which I did not know until just 5 or 6 days ago. I knew he had some Spanish or something in him but when he tells you he does not speak Mexican and does not associate with them and then you catch him in his lies and he starts talking and associating with them, there is something wrong. The lieutenants have jumped him several times about his sloppy wearing of clothes and the mess he leaves his bed and surroundings but he still tries to pass for a white man with the name of Richman. Then the other boy is Italian on the verge of a breakdown and just goes to pieces everyone once in a while. He has been married 3 or 4 months and it is easy to see why they do not make good fighters. Then the other person is perhaps a man of 30 years and very easy to get along with.
I have as yet quite a few letters to write and I do want to answer Marshall’s letter.
Will you please send me some of my latest stationary or just a mixture of it and also my flashlight because I may have difficulty in getting batteries for the one Miss Mosher gave me here, but check the batteries and get a new bulb for it. Because I may have use for a stronger light, also send me a couple of air mail stamps for I may have use for them. I do not know when I will get a PO(?)
I also have to write Aunt Nina and thank her for the dictionary. Also, Richard Rohde, is the last name spelled correct or is it Rhode?
I received a nice long letter from Joe the other day. He always writes long letters and nice ones.
I surely wish I could be home for Thanksgiving but suppose we will have the day of so it will be a short week for us. If you ever have to reach me quickly you can sometimes reach me through the Red Cross sooner than by telephone. They come through so slowly.
Your son,
Stanley