1943-04-01_letter_0_0.xml

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				<title>Zeller letter September 27, 1942</title>
				<author>John Zeller</author>
				<respStmt>
					<persName>Susan Falciani Maldonado</persName>
					<resp>University Archivist and Director of Special Collections</resp>
				</respStmt>
				<respStmt>
					<persName>Diane Jakacki</persName>
					<resp>Digital Scholarship Coordinator</resp>
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				<distributor>Special Collections/University Archives, Bertrand Library</distributor>
				<authority>Bucknell University</authority>
				<address>
					<addrLine>Lewisburg</addrLine>
					<addrLine>Pennsylvania</addrLine>
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				John F. Zeller Papers
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					<dateline>April 1, 1943</dateline>
					<salute>Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma --</salute>
				</opener>
				 I bet you thought I'd never write. I can just see Dad racing to the post office
					after every train. Anyway, I've been very busy and tonight is actually the 1st
					chance I've had to sit down + write. 
				 The trip out was fine. The train left Harrisburg on time and arrived in St.
					Louis just in time for me to catch the next train out. I met my Lebanon friends
					in Hbg. -- and we had a fine trip out. One of them who is now a gunnery
					instuctor has a room adjoining mine here in the barracks. 
				 When we arrived here we had quite a time getting settled. There are so many
					things you have to do on your own when you are an officer. Things aren't planned
					for you; you have to arrange them yourself. 
				 Monday morning we tore over to the old post, + fixed up the rest of our papers,
					had our pictures + finger prints taken for th MP's and then went along to see
					the Colonel who is head of the dept. All of the officers seem very nice and I'm
					sure I shall like it. 
				 The Colonel told us we would in all probability be here for a year. And then he
					put us right to work learning, assembling, &amp; disassembling small arms.
					Monday evening I had to get my things out of storage + put my room in order. It
					was quite a job. Tuesday, Wednesday, today, + tomorrow, we have been in session
					in a course in TOI-Technologies of Instruction. I've had to plan a lesson each
					night and present it in class the next day. They want to make sure we know how
					to teach. I guess I'll make out all right for there weren't any criticisms. 
				 Next week I have to take another course in Material as a refresher and the
					following week I'll be assigned to some branch in the department + begin to
					teach. I thought I would be teaching Officer Canidate Material classes -- but
					now I'm not so sure. They have a 2 month course for Battery mechanics, a New
					Division Officers. Course. An Officer's Advanced course, and a Battery
					Executives course -- also a course in Anti-aircraft firing -- all in addition to
					Offices Canidate Material course. And I may be assigned to any one of these. 
				 I'm hoping I get the OCS course -- for it will be easier for me -- require less
					background and it is much neareer to the barracks I'm now in in the O.C. area.
					If I get any of the other courses I shall have to move over on the main post
					somewhere. Just now all of my work is over there + commuting is difficult. 
				 My room is very nice -- unfinshed, plain woodwork of course -- but a few
					pictures, etc. will fix it up. The latrine is in the same building, which is a
					big advantage over the hut. I have a fine big closet -- so you won't need to
					send the trunk. 
				 I have to furnish my own sheets + pillow cases. I've discovered that life as an
					officer is just one new way to spend money after another. I bought 4 sheets
					&amp; two pillowcases. in town. Now I shall have to worry with them in the
					laundry each week. 
				 I would like you to send my radio. If I'm going to be here a year I might as
					well have it -- and I can't buy one here at all. I suggest you pack it well --
					open up the back + the top + stuff it with paper + send it by Express. 
				 My correct address is Staff + Faculty Field Outillery School -- Dept. of
					Material -- Ft. Sill Okla. Tell, Mr. Stein, Alice, etc. 
				 It's nice having my bed made each morning and my shoes shined -- but
					confidentially the orderly doesn't do a very good job of it. If you have a pair
					of curtains for a window about 5 1/2 ft. long -- something manish -- no lace --
					please send them with the radio. They don't need to be particularly good.
					Something of heavy cloth + colored will be perfect. 
				<closer>
					<salute>I’ll write again Sunday.</salute><lb/>
					<signed>John</signed>
				</closer>
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