Camp Frustration Mounts

On August 14, 1941, Mike is totally frustrated with not hearing from his family more often.   According to what Mike hears on the radio, it looks like he is going to be stuck for 2  1/2 years more in the army. Mike says it wouldn't be so bad if this time helped him toward his degree as an engineer, but all this infantry teaches him to do is kill with a rifle and bayonet.

He wants out, and he tells them that he has received Rosie's letter telling him that the discharge is not to happen at least until his one year is up.  Mike says that he believes this is a bunch of baloney.  "If nothing can be done now, what can I expect to be done six months from now?"

Mike says that he is thinking about looking into The Coast Guard even ahead of the Army Air Corps.

Mike's friend Meek has been trying to get a discharge based on the fact that he is married.  Meek had started the discharge process 2 months ago, but to no avail.  Meek misses his wife desperately.

Two other friends, Raki and Schuck have also tried to get discharges based on their ages (28).  They are both out on maneuvers now.

Mike is currently on guard duty which he finds very boring.  Four hours on and then four hours off for twenty-four hours, and then a straight twenty-four hours off to do what they want.

Mike greatly misses his parents and the farm.  He repeats the old maxim that you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

Every time he thinks of how some of the guys back home  are chiseling their way out of being drafted, it makes him crazy.

He concludes with a partial Slovak Salutation:  So-long Braut [sic] and Shestras [sic].

Pvt.

Mike

Mike again writes to Andy and Esther on August 19, 1941.  He tells them that their letter from a few days ago is the second letter he had received since being on guard duty.  Mike had also received one from his first cousin, Johnny Smreck, who was still at Scott Field , Illinois.

Mike is glad that they have sent him his birth certificate even though he has not done anything yet about joining the Army Air Corps.  He tells them that his birth certificate will come in handy at one time or another.

He is also happy to hear that all is well at the farm.  He sure wishes he could be with the family again.

Mike then refers to the Head of The Kent Draft Board, R. Darrah, who has informed the family that Mike will be able to get out in a year.  "Well, we'll see." says Mike.  Mike thinks R. Darrah can be a sort of b_ll sh__ter.

Mike had read in the paper, though recently, that maybe they would only have to serve 10 months instead of an additional 18 months.  He also read that guys 28 years an older would be getting out soon.  That would make Mike's friend Raki and many others very happy.

"This old guard duty is pretty boring."  Mike doesn't like guarding prisoners now who are GIs whose only crime was that they left without permission.  He won't have to do this kind of distasteful guard duty after the next day as the guards get changed out once a week.

Mike received a nice can of Dr.Lyons Tooth Powder from Mildred.  He hasn't been able to send Mildred a nice Thank You Note because Rosie has not sent any stamps.  If Rosie doesn't send some stamps soon, they will be getting his letter much later than he would like them to get it.

"Well," Mike concludes, take care of junior, Esther so he will grow up to be big and strong like his pa-pa, and tell him I said, 'Hello'

So-long chilluns,

You brother

Pvt. FC Mike"

On September 13, 1941, Mike writes Mary and Mickey and tells them about the guard duty he is on. He says the weather is starting to change with the days still hot, but the nights are getting quite cool.  He says that he will do a 12 midnight to 6:00AM shift, and it gets really cold through the night.

The time is going fast.  Labor Day came and went.

Mike is on 12 hour guard duty with 12 hours of rest in between 6 hours of active duty.  He congratulates Mary and Mickey on their 13th Wedding Anniversary, and agrees that the time really has gone fast.

Next he addresses Mary and tells her that he is going to get out of the army after his year is up.  "One year is long enough for Uncle Sammy."

And further he lets Mary no that he hasn't had time to listen to "Homer Stubbs" on the radio.  He looks forward to the box Mary is going to send, and can't wait to see Jerome.

Mike is really looking forward to his next leave of absence when he will get to see them all again at Christmas.  He thanks Mary for the very interesting newspaper clippings.  "Your Brother Pvt.  Mike"

[By September 18, 1941, Mike had been at Camp Shelby for 7 months, his next humorous missive indicates a sort of resignation to his fate.]:

Mike concludes with a PS How's David?

On the same day, Mike wrote another letter which he begins, "Dear Family".  This one must be to his sisters, Betty, and Rosie because later in the letter he asks how Andy and Esther have been, and that he has not heard from them for some time.  He guesses that they must be busy.

He thanks them for the swell box which at first he mistakenly thought was from his older sister, Mary.

The box contained very good pipe tobacco and cigarettes.

He asks how Pa and Momma are, and a girlfriend of Betty and Rosie's by the name of June. 

Mike asks them again to stay on the ball with the Kent Draft Board and Kent Red Cross.  They are discharging men for need at home from Camp Shelby.

He also asks about the new car of Pa's.  "I bet it's a nice one."

"Well, so long Dear Folks.  I'll be seeing you. Pvt. Mike"