We had formed the habit of using neither tobacco nor alcohol and that made us strange. Also we actually volunteered for work assignments.
We did get time off several days later to go get Lloyd's car off the street to take it home. After some basic training we, with the 5th Infantry Division (the Red Diamond Division), were transferred to Fort Custer, Battle Creek Michigan in December of 1940. Fort Custer was under construction. The buildings were incomplete and the mud was everywhere and deep. Most of the personnel were much older than we. Many were the kind who got promoted, got into trouble, got busted back to private again and again. Lloyd was promoted to corporal in a short time and I soon followed. Most of the corporals had 8-10 years of service.
Standard procedure of the times for most soldiers was to be broke the night of payday. Many owed their entire pay many times over to Lloyd or I. They would pay their debts and start borrowing again. It was not unusual to be offered $10 on pay day for $5 tonight. Even at $15 per month we had more money than we could spend. The money I spent was to drive back and forth to Louisville/New Albany area to see a girl I had been dating before I enlisted. Wanda Roberson had a great attraction for me. Many times I returned from a visit with her just in the nick of time for reveille.
Lloyd's initials were G. L. My initials were G. L. His first name was Gordon mine Garland. In calling the roll they first called Reasor G. We'd say which one. Then they tried G. L. Again we would question. For awhile they used GA and GO but changed to Big Reasor and Little Reasor. Since we never missed a roll call they finally just called Reasor and didn't wait for a response. One morning I was ten minutes late and they didn't miss me.
Fort Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan
Fort Custer, Michigan
April 24, 1941
Hello Folks;
Well we've been out of the U.S. already. We got a pass last week end and went to Mildred's and stayed all nite Sat. nite. We sure had a time. Jerry is sure alright. We took Chet with us. Mildred and Jerry went to the neighbors to sleep. That's the first time I ever ran anyone out of their home. We took Riggs to some of his relatives in Detroit and let him out. We picked Riggs up about 10:30 Sun. morning and started for Canada. Believe it or not they let us cross. We were supposed to have our Reg. Cert. for our car but as usual we didn't have it. I argued them into letting us across anyway. Shucks the grass is green over there too and the people drive Fords and Chevs just like we do. The country is level and fertile like it is around Indianapolis. We went to a National Park out on Lake Erie and I got my feet wet in the Lake. It didn't even give me a cold. There wasn't anything in the park but the beach and it is too cold to go swimming.
We even had a heavy frost this morning. It has been rather warm lately tho. It even got up to about 80. Time certainly is flying since I've got out side. We've been having a time climbing trees and laying in the sun like I used too when I was a boy. We had a race the other day. I climbed a big black oak tree to the first limb which was about 20 feet and back to the ground in 10 seconds. Ont of the other boys did it in 8. We had on climbers spurs. I needed someone to turn me over in bed the next morning. Boy was I sore--I'm about to get tough again now tho.
Another boy and I hid our trucks today and laid around till everyone run off and left us. They came in and worked. Of course we didn't do it on purpose. Here's one of the clippings of our Easter Services. We’re two of the 5,000 in the Cross. The ones outside the cross are civilians. You can see the white uniforms of the nurses on one end of the cross arm. Gosh its about bedtime I guess I'1l nave to finish this tomorrow. Good-nite.
Back again: I'm keeping house this morning, Here we call it being Room Orderly. My pen is dry and Lloyd has the ink locked up. I have to keep the barracks swept and the latrine clean till none o'clock tonite.
Chet thinks he will have to go to either Burmuda or Trindad South America right away. There was one company out of his Regiment left for Burmuda Is. last Tuesday. We're still going to Tennessee next mo. for 3 weeks stay.
We have our radio fixed now till it does a real job of playing. We have it going nearly all the time anymore while we are driving. By the way has Geralds number ever been called in the draft. Maybe he's too old, huh. The draftees are all afraid they'll have to stay 3 yrs. Yet I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.
Boy oh boy are the girls ever friendly in Canada. I think I ought to go to Canada on my furlough. Most of them are brunetts too. Oh yes, I hear now that Margie Hays and Ralph are engaged. What a shame. She surely could nave done better than that. But then I guess I shouldn't kick. I guess its like the old saying, "In the spring a young man's fancy turns to love." Maybe I'm just a boy yet, maybe.
One of the hospitals in town are having a square-dance for the nurses and Lloyd and I are invited. Boy--will we ever show these nurses how to swing.
We’ll be good tho. I've got to get this in the mail. Good bye,
Your son,
Lee
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