At Camp in Louisiana October 25, 1943

Oct. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

I sure wish I had some way of getting a part of these pine trees around here up to the place. I haven't been out of camp far enough to tell how good the trees are out a ways. Those here in camp grow right straight up for about fifty or seventy-five feet. They would really make a swell log house.
Boy they have been putting us through the paces the past few days. We have been out on the parade ground eight hours a day, walking, walking. and walking. In our spare time we go out to the range and run up and down the range. We'll probably be used to that by the time we leave here, from all indications that's about all we're going to do here. Just brush up on infantry stuff. Of course that's not as bad as it sounds because we're not supposed to be here much more than a month. After that we have two months of steady maneuvers. It's a great life if you don't weaken.
That boy that wants to be a flyer will have a lot of that useless stuff before he sees a plane. I think all new men have three months of drill before being sent to flying school. Three months in the infantry is no fun.
So Dave is in New Orleans. If I get a chance I would like to go down and see what kind of girl he picked out to marry. It looks like all the old bunch are about married off. I guess I'll have to start shopping around myself. Don't you think?
Hurry up and get those teeth fixed. I don't want to come home if there is any danger of you not being finished. You might want me to go down with you. I don't like dentists that well.
You are really getting into the social swirl. Do they play poker for pretty good stakes or just for fun? I hope you haven't been getting tight at the parties. If you have I'll speak to you when I get home.
I don't know weather I can find a tall, dark and handsome Sargent with curly hair. We have a tall red headed Sargent if she would like that color. Of course he just had his front teeth pulled, and it looks sort of bare when he grins. Outside of that he's in good shape. Let me know if she wants me to bring him along.
Take care of yourself.

Love
Kenneth

In Louisiana Oct. 1943

Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Mother, You guessed it, we are in Louisiana now. We sure hop around a lot. If this keeps on I'll visit every state in the union yet.
We came by way of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Got into camp early this morning. I feel like I could stand about twenty-four hours sleep. We have been on the go since four o'clock this morning.
Did you and Dad get to see the world series? I'll bet that was a disappointment to lots of St. Louis fans. We listened to as many of the games as possible. Every once in a while an officer came and put us to work, but not for long.
I'm going to quit now and finish tomorrow night.
It really feels good to get back in barracks again. Even if it does mean scrubbing floors and making beds.
This camp is a good deal like Funston. The ground is sand and pine trees grow through out the camp.
The thing most of us like best is the change from "C" rations to "B" rations. You don't realize how good fresh milk, butter and eggs are until you have eaten powdered milk and eggs and canned butter.
How are the teeth coming along? Has Dad or Rosalyn run out on you again? If they do let me know and I'll send one of my Sargent's down to give them a talking to. Some of these Sargent's can really tell you off.
That fellow from Co. 'E' you met in St. Louis has probably been too busy to do any visiting as yet. I know we have.
I'll write again when we get straightened up a little.

Love
Kenneth

At Fort Riley, Kansas - April 17, 1943

April 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

That's quite fancy language you're using there in your letter. But I get the general idea. You and Dad know most of the most important things to look for in a place. I don't think a person would go far wrong on any of those we have looked up. Did you get out to see your woman at Potasi? From the description you gave it sounds pretty good to me. Being close to St. Louis isn't too bad as long as it's not too thickly settled.

I visited the fair city of Pittsburgh last weekend. The only change around there is in the people. The place is full of officers training at the airport. Of course Saturday night the boys from Camp Crowder come to the dances around there by the train loads. I don't blame them Pittsburgh has some good dances.

Frake and his barber shop was gone. The barber in the hotel said Frakes took his shop to some army camp, I forget where, and he is giving GI's to soldiers now. Most of the other fellows I knew have been drafted by now. I saw Delores Scott but didn't get to talk to her. She was coming in on a bus as I was going out.

That box of candy sure came in handy. It got here Friday noon but I didn't get to open it until Monday. We had an all night convoy Monday and the box of candy added fuel to the system of us anti-tankers to withstand the rigors of a rainy night. All the anti-tankers offer their thanks.

Love
Kenneth