September 20, 1943

Pvt. Aug. Haferkamp 36684775

Co. D, Brk. 141

1633 S.U.  R.R.C

Monday, Sept. 20, 1943  12:30 P.M.

Camp Grant, Ill.

Dear Mother:-

Have a few minutes time so I'll write you a few lines. I'm sending you the clipping out of Saturday's Chicago Tribune about Vincent. I sent Dora one of them also.

I just got a call (12:30 P.M.) call that I have some money at the Illinois National Trust Company at Rockford, Ill. How the hell I'm going to get there to get it I don't know. They said the place was open from 11 to 2. I asked Dora to send it by telegram so it would come faster or before I was shipped. I'll have to see the Sargeant tonight to see if I can't get a special pass to go over there. If not I'll have to call the Western Union and tell them to send it back. Rockford is 5 mile west of here.

Well I went to Maywood for the week-end again. I had a good time. Frank took us all out riding in the afternoon to see Chicago. I saw Lake Michigan for the first time. It sure is pretty with all the sail boats on it. A lot of people were in swimming. On one street down town there was a lot of Army material for people to see. Everything from jeeps; tanks; trucks & airplanes. It was real interesting. Edna got your letter and food stamps and bought some canned peaches with them. She said that she may write you like today. Edward left Friday Richard was sick last week but seemed to be alright again and was going to start school today. In the evening Frank showed the movies again. Some were taken when Edward was home.

I was to leave this camp last Friday night at 7 P.M. but I was an alternate so I didn't get to go. Every shippment they have several alternates in case someone is sick or doesn't show up. I would have like to went with the bunch, they were all former firemen. Bob Simon went with that bunch. Bill & I use to work with him in Missouri.

So Fritz passed and is coming here on the 30th. I thought he was going into the Navy? I guess I'll write him a few lines and give him some pointers about the place. One thing is about letter writting. That's a lot of B.S. about not writting. Look at me. I haven't had a letter since I was here. So if you want to write me go ahead for Lord knows how long I'll be here and if I do get shipped I'll get it someday anyhow, but it may take a while.

I wrote to Dora a little while ago and told her to write me also. If I'm to go into the fire fighters I may have to stay here several weeks again until they get a bunch ready again. In the last bunch they shipped 15 and sent 4 of us back. I also put in that I was a mechanic. I wish I could get something like that. Most of the fellows that I came with are down in Alabama in the infantry. Sure hope I don't get into that. They say they have tough going..

Hows everyone around home. O'K, I hope. I was surprised to get a telegram from Dora saying she was in the Christian Hospital in St. Louis.

Well I told you all I know at the present so I'll close and will write soon again. If you have time write right away and maybe I'll get it here yet. Tell everyone Hello--

Pvt. A.F. Haferkamp

Edna got a bottle of perfume that Vincent bought overseas somewhere. She got it about a week after they got notice he was missing.

Dad was a member of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department before he was drafted. (His oldest brother Bill was an assistant chief and youngest brother Fritz a caption in the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department, according to the 1940 Staunton City Directory.) It is logical with that background that he hoped to get into fire fighting in the army. Edward Howard is the youngest child of Edna and Frank Howard.