John F. Zeller Papers
I shall try to write a hurried note tonight. The assignments are a bit lighter than usual, so I have about an hour to myself before lights out. However I have a pair of does to ship too.
Which reminds me that I should tell you I've accumulated, 2 demerits so for this week -- both in my capacity as hut orderly. I got one because the place was dirty. The Lt. ran his finger over it and got his glove dirty -- it looked all right to me. The other demerit came today because a small piece of paper stuck to the bottom of the track can when emptied it, and so remained there for inspection. However, 2 isn't bad. As long as I don't get 5 per week I can't kick. Everyone in our section has at least 1. I think the officers try to even them out.
Now to answer your letters. Yes, I got a card from Helen, George, + Nancy, Low Kunkle -- along with about a million others. I suggest you check through the package when I send it home. You'll find plenty there. I think I'll try to send the package off this weekend if I can get to the P.O.
I'm sure I saw Mexican or Indian bracelets in the shops in town. Next time I get in -- probably not for a week or so -- I'll get one for you.
Roommates continue to be good company. Guess I'm more capable of getting along with other people than you thought. Roscoe is about 2 blocks away. But time is so limited, I never see him. I only see those in my own section.
Glad to hear about Helen Shaffer. Wonder what Fred will do without her in the office.
Received G'-ma's money order Ok but haven't had a chance to cash it. But I really don't need it just yet anyhow, because I cashed a Traveler's Cheque over at the Main Post Bank.
Electrie razor arrived too. But I discovered I don't have a plug to screw it in. I'll have to postpone using it until I can get into town to buy one at the 5 + 10.
So you got a 95 in Hursing class. Mathe. See, I told you it wouldn't be any trouble.
I you see Janet Bold, Mrs. Bond, or anyone else who might know (maybe Betty Herrold could find out) would you please get Margie Clayton's address for me. I had a note from her without a return address.
I've had letters from lots of my friends this week. Dan, Janet, Jane C., Ken, Dave, and Ted all wrote. All my mail seems to come in spurts. Not much new from any of them. Don wants the war to get over quickly so he can go home & marry Janet. Jane likes her job at Pitt very much and offers to show me the town if I get shipped to Pittsburg. (Wonder if that's a hint?) Ken is working hard. He had only 4 days home at Xmas -- spent the rest at a Baptist conference in Mich. Dan likes his new post, he says, and as usual is sarcastic about field artillery. Ted expects a furlough soon and a promotion too. I guess that convers that.
I have a picture folder of this area to send you as soon as I get to the P.O. to buy stamps. I'm going to send one to Grandma, too.
Gunnery so far hasn't been too bad -- but I would be completely and hopelessly lost if I had it had that prep course at Bragg.
Oh yes -- almost forget the most important thing. I went to the hospital as ordered yesterday. They just wanted to check about my hayfever. They ask a few questions and wrote up a history on the sheet. The Dr. told me I would probably have to sign a waiver. All of which means that if I die of hayfever the government will be relieved of responsibility -- you probably wouldnt be able to collect my insurance in that case either. Outside of that -- it wasn't as serious as I anticipated.
Dad, will you do me a favor. Check with Uncle Tom & get train schedules, fare, etc for me from Oklahoma City to Harrisburg. When I do finish here I'll want to leave as soon as I can, and since I'll be traveling overnight + for a long distance I'll want to make reservations far enough in advance.
I'm going to check at this end to see how much it would cost to fly in.