We leave before six tomorrow (Sat.) morning. I do not know where we will be but I shall either call or telegraph on arrival tomorrow nite or early Sunday.
Chances are we are not to go far, for we haven't been instructed to keep out toilet articles, etc - as usually are kept out on long trips. Speculation here includes Camp Dix, Indiantown Gap, Camp Mead, Atlantic City (I like it there), and a dozen others. It's probably west or south and we have no way of knowing how far.
I took out $10,000 insurance as you will see from the application form ( copy) a put in the suitcase. $5,000 would go to each of you. It will cost $6.60 a month from my pay. I may be insurance poor after the war, but it is so cheap I'd be foolish not to take it.
We all living out of barracks bags. I hope we get trunks when we get to permanent station. If we don't I want you, Mother, to make me some small bags for toilet articles, underwear, handkies, & dirty clothes. But I'll let you know later about that.
So far I like it immensely. Pearl was right. It is just like an overgrown boy scout camp.
The food is good - and so much of it! I have trouble eating it all. I think I've caught on to the system. I just don't let them give me so much anymore.
I went to a camp radio program tonight broadcast over a Harrisburg station. I suppose I'll be going to a lot more of those from time to time.
This morning we went to educational movies. It was just after breakfast + the theater was like a bake - oven. The 1st short reel was on venereal disease. they showed pictures of various actual cases & stages of the diseases. I got sick - my stomach came up into my month, turned over, + went back down. I actually passed out cold for a few minutes. It was dark so no one but the fellow next to me noticed, and hence I wasn't disgraced. I was alright when they got rid of those gruesome pictures. I never could stand things like that. Now I know I could never be a doctor. I think it is a good thing to show pictures like that - frank, accurate, and straight from the shoulder. Boys who would have been inclined to get out of hand in that line will think twice before they do after seeing that.
There are so many things I could tell you. This life is so new, I hardly know what to tell you about 1st.
Tell Henry I ran into Runkle last evening. He is so afraid they'll (the other selectees) will find out he is a college instructor + type him. He taught English and has an awful time whenever a corporal or sargeant uses "ain't," "them there," or "youse."
Until I am located more permanently, then,
John. P.S. I have to apply for officers training later.