letter of july 25, 1943

7/25/43

Dear Dearie & Grandpa

I hope this letter reaches you before the said vacation starts received your letter July 21, quite newsy, also those of mom's Allen & Gene, Virginnia P and Dot The mail is pretty regular and helps me well informed.

I sure wish I could go out to Molleis I certainly fell in love with that place.  I had another swell weekend they make up for all the hardwork during the week.  I'm very tired but that makes me really sleep.  the work is building me up.  Yesterday I helped haul hue logs my arms have all kinds of musles bulging now and what a wonderful tan one of the best on the base.  I think I'm putting on wait certainly not loosing it.  I drink an average of 5 glasses of milk per meal! [disgusting -ed]  See what I mean.

Wrote John tonight hope to get out more mail this week.  Thanks for the funnies they made a hit with the whole barracks.

Say hello to my friend on the corner also send his address when you can.  Grandpa has the heat got you down if so drink a little beer for me thats something nobody gets down here.

Well I'll close, have to study a little.  Will start classes next Monday I am in Section 3 from here on out.  I am a member of the new section the old had quite a history.  Will write again.  Love Robert

letter of july 13, 1943

7-13-43

Dear Folks:

Today was hot as (HE -QQ). The sun was really terrific and I'm really burned to a crisp. I'll soon be [very dark].

Tomorrow I will have been here one week. By now I am an old timer.

Yesterday I got my first ride in a jeep - they are really fun; we rode all around the base. Today I went rowing in one of those big sea row boats - there is a lot to learn about one. They are beginning to cram facts and more facts down our throats all the time.

Also, today our section went swimming over at the beach at Pass Christian. The water was swell and it seemed more like a vacation instead of basic training. Believe it or not my scouting has come in handy tying knots, signalling, etc.

Well I have to run again as it study time and I have a lot to do. Will write again when I can.

Love,
Robert.

us merchant marine cadet corps, section 3

Group at Henderson Point

postcard canceled july 20, 1943

Dear Dearie
How's St Louis, I've
been having a swell
time in New Orleans.
I'll try to get my end
of the scrap book up.
Love
Robert

instructors and instructees

Robert and his buddies at Henderson Point.

letter of july 9, 1943

Robert left July 5th - Will never forget the train scare - spoilt his goodbye for him

July 9, 1943

Dear Folks:

Today was another busy day.  Boy-o-boy they really work you down here.

I had a little different experience today - we had field day, but here its very rought- it means work.  Digging, painting, scrapping, etc.  All morning I swung a sledge hammer and this afternoon I carried lumber and sewr pipe.  I'll soon be a man.

The heat down here at times is terrifcic but we had one cloudy day where the wind and sand played hell.

I might get a chance to see a picture in the Gym. tonight.  The days really go by here but the nights are taken up by study - thats a little boring.

Just back from supper - the food is still pretty good.  I get a lot of milk and butter.  I certainly will have a lot of tales to tell when I get back.  You really hear a lot around here.

The enrollment is 300 cadets and 85 staff - that makes it just about right.

I always have so much to say I can't get it all in.  Tomorrow I will write a longer letter, I hope.

Love,

The old salt Robert.

P.S. Please send me a few hangers, ink - they don't have these down here.  Also send me a little fishing line and cork and sinker and different kinds of hooks.  If John has left send him my address.