October 2, 1943

Pvt. Aug. Haferkamp 36684775

Co. A, 225th Bn, 69th Regt. I.R.T.C.

Camp Blanding, Florida

Sat., Oct. 2, 1943

Camp Blanding, Fla.

Dear Mother & All:-

I'll try and write you a few lines tonight before I go to bed. I thought maybe I would have heard from you by now but I guess you haven't time to write. I had one letter so far. It was from Dora. I got it Thursday and it was forwarded here from Camp Grant. I wrote you last Sunday giving you my address but Sunday night I was moved again. I got moved to a better part of the camp. I'll still be in the Infantry but I'm to be a wireman. That is to learn to wire telephones and switchboards. I'll still be here 17 weeks. Six weeks we will drill and learn to march and after that we are to start on telephones.

I guess I have most of my equiptment now. I got another suit of dress clothes and another pair of leggings and work clothes. I also got my rifle; gas mask and bayonette. It is a big load to carry but I guess I get used to it. The trouble of it is here that they try to learn you too much at once. I had my eyes examined yesterday and today my teeth. I also got vaccinated and 2 shots all in the same arm today. It hasn't bothered me much yet.

The hut I live in now is smaller than the one I had first. There are only 5 over here in a hut. One fellow is from West Virginia, 2 from Ohio, 1 from Missouri and myself. It rained here a little today. It get about 85 during the day but at night you use 1 or 2 covers. Really good sleeping. We have to be in bed by 11 and get up at 6. Tomorrow it will be a month since I left.

Well I guess Freddie is at Camp Grant by now. He'll find it isn't such a bad place as some of the other camps. The army may be a little hard on him as big as he is. Did he get the letter I sent him and did he take the things along with him that I told him to? If he ever gets shipped to another place send me his address.

Well I think I told you all I know so I think I'll go to bed. The rest of the boys in my hut went to the show. Write me as soon as you can. Note my new address.
     Pv't. August Haferkamp 36684775
     Co. A. 225th Bn 69 Reg't I.T.R.C.
     Camp Blanding, Florida

P.S. If I should ever have to be called home for an emergency get in touch with the Red Cross. That's the only way we can get a furlough before our 17 weeks are up. We were told that the other day.