January 23, and January 25, 1944

January 25, 1944


Hello Mom,

Thought I would write you a few lines. I didn't get any mail today. I don't know what's wrong. There are a bunch of people who owe me letters, but it don't seem like they will write.

I'm awful tired now. We had that big fight out at the beach today, but none of us got hurt. My left foot hurt pretty bad. They told me that I wouldn't have to go if I didn't want to, but I thought I would go because that's the only way they can make a man out of me.

This place is beginning to seem more like home every day I stay here. Tom is even beginning to like it a little now.

Don't be worried if you don't hear from me for a while because we have to go to the range tomorrow, and I don't think we get to write for 3 or 4 days. Tell everybody hello for me, and tell Ruth I went over to the PX a while ago, and they won't let us have but two packages of chew gum now. But, I will buy a little along and send you all some. I also got a carton of cigs. They just cost $1.25.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Your son,

Pedue

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January 23, 1944

Hello Mom and family,

Thought I would try to write a few lines since I wasn't doing anything. I haven't done nothing but play ball and sit on my ass all day long. I went over to the PX and got myself a pint of ice cream. I could have gone to church today, but I was just too sleepy. I just got about 4-1/2 hours sleep last night. I had to get up at 1:00 this morning and go on guard duty until 3:00. After I came back, I couldn't hardly go back to sleep, and I had to get up again at 5:30.

Guess I will have to go to the dentist again tonight. I went last night and had a tooth filled. I think I got about 8 or 9 more to be filled and 3 to be pulled.

I hate to see tomorrow come. We have to march out to a beach about 3 miles out and 3 miles back. There will be about 140 of us boys going and we're going to practice some actual fighting. Half of us boys are going to be on the beach, and the other half is going to try to take the beach. The captain is going to go out and watch it.


January 19, 1944

Received your letter and was glad to hear from you. Seems like it's been 2 weeks since I heard from you, but it has been 4 or 5 days.

They sure put us through it yesterday. While we was out drilling in the sun, there was a boy who passed out. They just drug him out to the side and left him, and we had to keep marching. After he came to, they made him get in line again. It's sure plenty tough here, but we West Virginia boys can take it.

I went up last night and had 3 teeth filled. It hurt a little bit.

We haven't gotten paid yet, but I think we will before Saturday because we go to the rifle range Saturday. I don't think I'll get to write very often while I'm up there, and may not at all. We have to stay up there 3 weeks, and then we come back for mess duty for a week, then we get a 10-day leave.

It's a shame that Dad got sick and couldn't work, but I don't guess it could be helped.