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30th Co. 5th Battalion

3rd Student Training Regiment

Fort Benning, Georgia

 

Wednesday Night

 

Dear Folks

 

Am sorry that I haven't written sooner but things have sped up here until it just seemed that we didn't have any time at all. Of course I realize that things are just that way there also. This past week we have been absorbing the light and heavy machine gun and I do mean absorbing. We have to get this stuff just like a school teacher. We must be able to operate and teach others to operate all these gadgets. Decide which methods of teaching are the best and simplest so that we can use them when we become officers.

 

Also this week I am Platoon Leader which means that I'm acting as a 2nd Lt in charge of his own Platoon. It's quite a responsibility and if I do a good job of it my chances of passing the course are good, and of course visa versa. As I told you before a lot of the men who come here don't graduate. They have raised the standards 10% since we started and it's got me a little worried. I've decided to do my best and not worry about it. So far my academic work has been above average and I haven't had any serious trouble with the others. I haven't had the experience with drilling men that most of the boys have but with going out in the woods at night practising voice commands I am improving.

 

You spoke about having a picture of me. Well when I graduate and get my furlough we'll have some made of us all together, How's that?

Was glad to hear that you have the barn nearly completed because it's getting about that time of year when you can expect most anything in weather.

 

I can well appreciate the train and travel situation. I've seen a little of it since back here and I know that civilians just haven't got a chance. We are moving soldiers around so much and they, of course, must have priority. It's impossible to depend on schedules. We were three days late getting here from Camp Roberts. Also we are told here that we must make train reservations the first part of the November for the last of December. It's hard to appreciate and visualise the problem unless you've seen it. So if you do find it impossible to come I'll understand, and by my count I ought to be home in 65 days.

 

I'm glad you like the bracelet and hope you can get a clasp for it. How about the heart?

 

I haven't dropped either my middle initial nor my army serial number (36040184) but when and if I graduate my A.S.N. will be changed and so will my insurance. However I will get credit for the time that I've been paying on the policy. This outfit I'm working for is strictly O.K. and they'll take good care of us.

 

I heard Willkie speak the other night and thought he brought some potent information to the people. And I feel sure that  FDR approved the speech. All the people must know the truth and the whole truth concerning our problem in order that we can have immediate action. From a number of things that I've seen in regard to military organization I'm sure that our leaders are on the right foot. And at double time march. Which means a dead run.

 

Lights are off now so will close.

 

With Love Leonard

 

Hope this letter finds the surroundings and you all warm