Everett Schafer's Letters

Oct. 31, 1942
Dear Mom + all,

I received your last letter today and was very glad to hear from you. I have written two letters to you in the last two weeks. I can’t understand why you haven’t received them.

I received a letter today from LaFerhn yesterday and everything is fine at there [sic] place. But she says that it is quite lonesome now that I’m not there, and also that the people that was boarding there are now coming back. About two weeks ago I sent my cloths [sic] back and she washed them all and had my pants and coat dry cleaned. She said she walks in my room about twice a day and thinks that she can picture me in there sleeping. That sure made me feel good.

We have a mail call once a day and I sure look forward to getting letters with lots of enthusiasim [sic]. When ever you get a chance, sit down and drop me a line.

It seems awfully strange that you are trying to get a job, but you are the one to decied [sic] that. I sure wish that things could have been different but it’s life, that’s the way it is and all we can do is make the best of it, the best way we know how. Perhaps, and I sencerely [sic] hope that things change for the better. I know they will for things that are right just can’t go wrong all the time.

LaFerhn said that my pictures were all good and after she decides on the best one, she will send you one. She also sent your picture, that one in color and I’m sure glad I got it. After I get to my next post, which I believe will be New River N. C., I’ll have some made of me in my uniform and send you one. My dress uniform is green and they look very smart. If you ever notice a fellow in a green uniform with a small emblem (a globe and anchor and eagle) you will know how we dress.

Either tomorrow or Monday we go to the rifle range and that is the main part of our training. It’s for three weeks and then one more week for mess duty and bayonet practice and then we get shipped to our new training post.[1]

My letters you send still have the wrong platoon number, it’s eight sixty, 860 not 608. And I still don’t know Delwin’s house number. Please don’t forget it in your next letter. I believe the fluid I used was Zerone or Zerex.[2] It has been in there now for a year. It cost $2.50 or $2.60 per gal. Is gas rationing in effect there yet? How’s the food situation? Let me know about everything for I don’t know anything about the outside world. I’m getting along well so no need to worry. Write soon.



Lots of love to all

Your son

Everett