1944 is here. This is the year Jack goes to war.
Jan 1 1944
Dear Ma
I'll try to write you a few lines as I don't have any thing to do. I worked K.P. last night and got in about 4AM well the fellows rolled me out at 830 so I made it miserable for them all day.
At last we have started our processing, we started it yesterday by lectures & picture shows. We will be taking test & going to lectures & doing basic for the next 2 weeks. If I pass I get about 26 days of basic if not I get 60 but I guess that's still better than going in the infantry and doing nothing but marching all day long.
We are up at the library & a couple of the fellows have gotten math books & I started looking through those -- it is surprising how much I have forgotten since I got out of school. Oh well I guess you can't remember every thing you know or learned if you did your brain would be in a whilrl all the time.
We didn't get any mail today & won't get it tomorrow in fact I haven't received a letter from you since I got back.
We didn't do a thing today except sit around & talk, & I guess that's all we will be doing tomorrow. We got jipped out of our passes this week so we had to just sit tight & stay on the post. We only ate once to day so I am hungry & no place to get any thing.
Well I close now Jack
Now we start to receive letters that have interesting illustrations on the stationary.
Jan 3, 1944
Dear Ma
Well after almost a week I received your letter with the checks in it so you probable have seen they are coming back to you.
We started our basic this morning & took 3 test this after noon. I think I came out all right on 2 of them but the 3rd was a radio test & I guess I didn't do too good on it but personally I just don't give a dam.
They really put us over the rope this morning, but maybe I'll live but if it keeps on I hope not. I just ain't use to that hard labor & I really mean it. Personally I don't care if I never get used to it. I figure the big man is supposed to have the strong back & weak mind, me it's too bad I haven't got either one.
That reminds me of this morning we were to fall in ranks according to size. He yelled out all guys 6 foot or over fall out & so on down the line he finally called out about 5'6" & stopped we there I stood finally he looked around & hollered out 5'1" & I yelled 5'4"& steped in so you see I am the runt of the barracks but still I am doing o.k.
We haven't had any snow as yet but it sure has looked like it was going to storm & the wind has been blowing rather hard since noon.
Every one in the barracks has a nice cold you can hear some one coughing all the time even little me.
So at last our dear little sister is going to work. Well if that isn't some thing I don't know if I'll be abe to get over the shock.
You know I brought my radio back & I don't think it is ever off during the day. I never get a chance to use it but I guess that's ok too. I just got in an argument over what program should be on.
Well I guess I'll have to close now I write a letter or 2 more.
Jack
Note: Here we have mention of his height, the factor which will seal his position on his eventual crew.
Pvt. Bernard C Eutsler 39215612
TSS 769 Flt 176
Bks 339
Buckley Field
Denver, Colo.
Jan 6 1944
--Me [referring to illustration]
Dear Ma
I got your registered letter this after noon but there is no sense for you to get all hot & bothered about nothing. One reason you haven't received a whole lot of mail is because I haven't written you very many. The reason of that is that when I get through the day I am so tired I don't feel like doing any thing. To night my legs are really sore, we have been out on the drill field all day. We have been taking calasentics and drilling, then we took a few tests on top of that so you probable see why I am tired.
It has been cold around here lately but probable not as bad as it is there. We haven't had any snow but it sure has looked stormy the last few days.
Yes I got the checks, & packages & letters from you. Probable by now you have received the check and a letter or 2. If I remember correctly there was about $115 in checks there. I also think they jipped you on the allotment check but I guess that's o.k. Has Mag & Jim sent you any cash since I came here in this cruel old army. This is short but I am tired so don't worry & I'll try to write you again about Sun or Mon. We should know the verdict by the latter part of next week. Jack
Notes:
- $115 would be $1712 today.
- It's interesting that Gram grew frantic when he had been continuing his pace of about 3 letters a week. I also have an envelope with postmark Jan 3 1944. I suppose the mail system was not as efficient as it had been in Washington.
- He wasn't able to google the spelling of calisthenics. Jack was known for his malapropisms. I hope we see them in his letters!
- He's asking again about Tuck and Jim sending money. ulp.
