John F. Zeller Papers
I haven't seen any letter from home since I last wrote -- so I don't have any questions to answer or any plan of attack for this letter. So I'll just start in and ramble.
nenley I received confirmation of my resevation with American Airlines. I'll leave Okla. City (go there by bus) at 6:45 Thursday -- arrive St. Louis 9:43 - leave St. Louis 10:59. arrive Pittsburg 4:14 Friday morning. I figure I can get a train out of Pittsburg about 6:30 or 7:00 and catch the noon train out of Harrisburg - thus arriving in Lewisburg around noon or Friday. Airplane cost $ 57.20 -- plus $ 5.72 tax. I figure it well worth it, for otherwise I would have to spend two night's enroute - and Pullman would cost almost as much.
The only catch is that there is a rumor that commercial air transport out of Okla. City is to be suspended Mar. 5th. I certainly hope not!
Last night I went into town and spent what was left of last months salary on equipment. I spent $30 before I knew it. I purchased a very nice sweater, Mother. and a beautiful scarf. Also gloves and officer’s ties. I also bought underwear and good socks. I bought my brass too -- 1 set of US insignia -- 2 sets of crossed cannon -- and 3 sets of bars. The brass cost $ 10 by itself.
This coming week we go to the quartermaster warehouse and I'm going to pick up most of the other things I need. What I don't get there I shall get in town next week - end 4 of us had a good steak dinner last night and the went shopping. I picked up a few little trinkets to bring home.
We also went into Gilbert's drug store for sundaes -- I looked up John Buchers friend. Mr. Gilbert seems to be a very nice fellow. He wants to be remembered to Mr. Bucher.
Wells Henderson and I ate dinner together today. He's coming over a little later this afternoon. Right now I'm waiting at the radio. I'm going to try to pick up the B.U. broadcast -- although I'm sure WJ2 is out of range.
No more news as to where I'll be sent when I leave here. I'm increasingly afraid I may be returned here. I would rather like to return here to survey school. But there is nothing I want less than to come back here as an instructed or as a Tactical Officer.
Actually, the best thing would be to be located in the east. That way I could get traveling time and traveling money in addition to the 10 days leave.
Now don't plan too much for when I'm home. I shall be content first to visit with my friends, attend a few college affairs, and take things easy. I may want to go down to Phila. for a day -- I'm not sure.
And don't worry about putting on a big feed, for me, Mother. Just to eat your every day meals will be banquet enough after 7mo. of Army chow. I would like some good mashed potatoes -- maybe a ham loaf -- some good hamburger -- good scrambled eggs. Don't worry about pies or cakes. Somehow I'm not awfully hungry for them. Chicken & waffles would go down well too.
Dad, my Hamilton isn't holding up too well. for them. Chicken & waffles would go down well too. You will have to go over it when I’m through here and come home. The stem comes out and I can't set it. Also, the crystal doesn't fit too well and dust collects inside I think it ought to be cleaned too.
I've been thinking a bit about politics and what I had better do after the war. I'm very much afraid the pendulum is going to swing strongly back to the Republicans. And if I went to get some where as a lawyer in Union Co. or in Pa., in particular, I probably won't be very successful as a Democrat. Moreover, since the Republicans will probably run things for a good 10 or 12 years to come, I could probably be of more service towards better government by casting my vote in a Republican primary. I want to talk it over with you when I come home, Dad -- and then perhaps I'll change my registration.
My last week here I think I'll send another box home, so that I don't have so much to carry with me when I come.
I can hardly wait to get into my uniform It will mean a great deal to me. Perhaps its not the right attitude, but when I finish here I'm going to feel just a bit snobbish toward the boys who stepped into the plushy comissions without any training or special schooling. The LT in front of my name will mean a very great deal more than any AB or MA behind it, particularly in the effort and honest to goodness sweat it took to produce it.