1953 - May 4 FIRST DAY IN US NAVY WAVES BOOT CAMP, BAINBRIDGE, MD.

GOT UP AT 5 A.M. SWORN IN QUARTER OF 10. Fulled fledged WAVE. Got pictures taken. My ship-mate Beatrice Bishop from New Jersey had a tiff with bus driver over ticket. Met nice sailor who took us in a cab to 308 and filled in papers. Then shoe, hat and suit sizes. Next back to learn to make beds. Marched to chow- Weiners, beans with tomatoes, chicken, cole slaw (peas, beans, corn) cherry cobbler (short cake) bread, milk, and coffee. Met girls. Turn Too - learn to clean head, dust and mop. Glad for bed. What a day (lower bunk too.) Company 121. No 5.

Filling in missing pieces. Left Fritztown, Pa. took Trailways bus to Reading, Pa. to take train to Philadelphia 15th st. station. Got sworn in there. They gave us a white navy blouse, Navy suit jacket and bucket hat and this comprised our official Navy Photo. Turned out well. Beatrice Bishop was the only other girl going to Bainbridge by bus that day to start boot camp. She was in company 121 also. We were housed in barrack number 308, Company Commander was Chief Etters and then replaced by W. Jones. AKC. We walked around in the clothes we came with and when we got our full uniform our civilian clothes had to be sent home.