The following letter seems to be the first I wrote to my Dad after
I joined the U. S. Navy on 29 September 1951
The envelope is post marked Oct 8, 1951
The letter has not been edited for spelling or grammatical errors.
Sat.
Dear Dad and Bernard,
I got around to writing. I've only got about one hour a day to write and
Sats. and Sun. Well about the Navy. I was held over Fri at Chicago
one day because of sugar in my pe--. Sat. morning we got to Great Lakes
welcome center, the next Fri. we arrived at boot camp. The welcome
center is where we get our hair cuts, 2nd medical exam and our teeth
checked, also our clothes.
We got 2 pair of overalls and shirts, 3 pair of whites 2 pairs of blues
(pants). 2 pairs of jumpers, 1 dress jumper, 7 pair socks, 7 handkerchiefs,
1 pair of work shoes, 1 pair of dress shoes, 1 pair gym shoes, 1 pair of
rubbers, a rain coat, 3 pairs summer underwear, 3 pairs winter underwear,
1 pea coat, 2 white hats, 1 blue hat and shaving equipment
We have to wash our clothes every day-----that is, underwear and overalls,
stockings, hat, and shirt. Well, so much for clothes.
There are 80 fellows in our company. About the only thing we've learned so
far is fold our clothes, make our beds and learn to eat Navy meals
(which are the best).
Since I've starting 3 full meals I've lost all my pimps.
We get up at 0500 (Navy time) eat at about 0600, come back, (We march
where ever we go) then clean up the barracks, go to classes, dinner at
about 1130, classes again till 4:30. Then on our own time we have to wash
our clothes, shine 2 pair of shoes, (everyday shoes have to be shined)
and clean up the barracks again.
When this is done, we can go to the hobby shop, which is a place where
we can build models, leather work and a wood shop. Or else there is the
canteen, here we have television, games, pool, music, a library and
general entertainment.
We hit the sack at 9:15 (2115 Navy) and lights out and mouths SHUT at 9:30.
If we arn't quiet, we either march at midnight or do exercises with a 9 1/2 lb.
rifle, depends on our chief.
Well-----I must have hit on every thing at least once. If theres anything you
want to know just ask.
Smokes are 16 cents a pack and just about everything in the hobby shop is 1/2 price.
Understand this
Don't send me any packages. If at all possible please send me $5 or $10 and
I'll send you something from here, they have some nice things. I'll pay you
back first payday which is one week from today.
Visiting week will be three weeks from this week (I think). I'll find out for sure.
You can come on Sat. aft, or Sun. Bring my ring.
When you come bring a large box, I have a model of a sub you can take home.
From now on I'll write more often. It's hard to write, the radio is on and the guys
make a hell of a noise.
Bernard, if you want, you can take the first section of this letter and show it to
the guys.
Well got to hit the sack
Love
Dave
P.S. Our mattress cover is called a fart sack. We got 2 of them, 2 pillow cases,
2 blankets and 6 towels. Over $200.00 worth of stuff. This was issued to us in
about 1 hour, thats quick buying.
Well
so
long
Please write
soon. My address
Mr. David Brouchoud
Company 831
U.S.N.T.C.
Great Lakes
Illinois
