43 - En Avant

Episode 43: Donald hears from Chip, and Feloma finds out Donald's new address will be at Camp Beale, California.

Transcript

0:19

How are you doing, Carson? I'm great. I'm great. You weren't ready for that, weren't you? I wasn't. I wasn't. That's good. I know. I gotta mix it up sometimes. Keep me on my toes. I know. Yes. Yeah. Yes, darling. Yeah. Um, all right. Welcome to 500 letters to Nana. Thank you so much for joining us. Carson, where are we in time and space? Well, we have finally made it through Easter 1944. Great. And also, you know, if we think back to a year ago, Donald and Feloma didn't even know. I mean, first of all, they did know that this was a possibility. The draft, you know, was coming. And I think throughout these letters so far, it's been interesting that he's been drafted. He has brothers that have been drafted, brothers, brother-in-laws, family, whatever. Um his close friends have not been drafted. Chip specifically has not been drafted. But he knows lots of other people from home that are being drafted. Right. So I mean, it's it is kind of something when you think about a year ago. You know, he was talking about what they did for Easter a year ago, and now they are he's in the army, they're separated. Like, wow. Yeah. Just pause for a minute. Where were you last year? Where will you be next year? You know, I mean exactly. It's kind of crazy. It is crazy. It is crazy. You know, I mean, a lot that I mean, I don't know. I just can't imagine living in that kind of a time with a draft, a war, all these things are large and looming, and they're really kind of going through it. They're in the thick of it. It's true. So, where are we in time and space? A lot's happened for Donald. A lot has happened. He is still in Camp San Luis Obispo in California. Yeah. Um, possibly moving to Camp Beale. Possibly moving to Camp Beale. Is that north or south? I believe it's north. Okay. And that the letters he's getting now from Randos has been really interesting. That's crazy to me. Don't print my name and address in the I mean, she was part of the Lonely Hearts Club. Oh. What a name. I mean, wow. I know. What if what if Arlie Teeter's granddaughter's listening? I hope so. Reach out. I'd love to hear from you. I'd love to know how she was. I bet she was fun. Like my gosh. Yeah. Yeah, I bet she was fun. Oh my goodness. That's so crazy. I and I would love to know what Philoma thought of that letter. I know. That that would be something. Okay. I hope she I hope she responds in a letter. Yeah. Oh, well, we'll see. Okay. So Donald thinks he's maybe on the move, too. Yeah, he's thinking maybe in what five days or so from the last. I think he said on Thursday is when it was. Yeah. We'll see if he's right this time. Okay. We never know with all the information flying around the latrine. Flying around the latrine. Okay, what's the date of this letter? April 16th, 1944. Okay. My dear Philoma, well another Sunday has passed and it's still the same old stuff. I didn't receive any mail from you today, but also this is the first day I missed for a long time, so I have no kick coming. I dropped a line to Tony Zangara also today to see how he's getting along. There isn't much going on here at the present, but I was on a detail this morning packing up the field kitchen stoves, so I guess we'll probably move out this week. I believe we're going to Camp Beale. How's everything at home? I hope everything is going along fine. Yesterday was the opening of trout season and I had to miss it. Oh Donald. I hope you enjoy the long letter I wrote yesterday because it takes me a long time to write one that long. I don't know if I'll be able to send you the camp paper with our pictures in it. If we move out, I'm going to send you a paper anyway. There's a good article in it. I wonder if he'll see his picture in the paper. I don't know. Look at you. Mm-hmm. Keeping keeping secrets. Chip was telling me the trout season looked pretty good if the weather stayed warm. I finally sent out some laundry. Thank God. Well, kid, I haven't much to talk about again. So I'll say I love you very much and I hope I could be with you, but I guess that just can't be at the present. I love and miss you as always. Love and kisses, Donald. Is that it? Okay. You know, in it was, I think, in the last episode, he was talking about possibly going to Camp Beale and then sending for Philoma. Um, it's kind of sweet that they're thinking. I mean, they're ever hopeful they can be together. You know, and it's I think she's desperately trying to figure out how to get to California. Absolutely. And see Donald while she's there. That's exactly right. She's like, and I I mean, obviously they want to see each other. Oh, of course, of course. And uh, I don't know. It's kind of sweet. I don't know if it's gonna work out. We'll see. Okay. Okay, so this next letter doesn't have a date, but I think he sent it with the camp paper. Oh, so he was there long enough. Yes. Oh, wait, this was the paper that he was gonna send anyway. Okay. That he's gonna send anyway. Okay. So this letter says, Dear Philoma, if you take notice of the pin at the top of the paper saying N Avant, well, that's our regimental pins that we wear on our coat, but I don't have any and I can't buy even one. I would like to have one too. It's silver, and the bar running diagonal through it is blue with the two spearheads on it. The two spearheads represent the two battles they had in the last war. You will also see our creed. We win or we die. But the reason I sent it that's a creed. It is a creed. Um, but the reason I sent it was because of the article, which is Mothers of the Infantry, I salute your sons. At least one general is with us. Love Don. P. S. Here is also a letter from Chip. So I looked and in the scrapbook, I have this paper. Yes. So it is the camp newspaper. This one specifically is called the I think it's Puitz Paragon, P-U-I-T-S. Um, and it has it's for the 321st Infantry of the Wildcats, which is what he was in. So it's his specific regiment. Um, it's from Saturday, April 8th, 1944, and the main article on the front page is Salute the Infantry. It is by General, Lieutenant General Leslie McNair, and it says, Mothers of the infantry, I salute your sons, and it's a picture of him. Wow. So I will post this. Holy cow. That's crazy. This was the paper that he sent back. Oh my goodness. Was this in your nanny scrapbook? Yep, it was in the scrapbook. In the in the Camp Louis, uh, in the Camp Louis. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, sorry. It's I don't know. For some reason, that the name of that camp really gets me every time. I'm gonna call it SLO. Camp SLO. I know. It's got that old good, good library smell. We're sniffing the paper. That's I mean, wow. Yeah, she saved everything. She did, thank goodness. So I will post this, but in honor of Philoma. Mm-hmm. She saved it all. Mm-hmm. She had some time on her hands. She did, you know. There was no social media, there was no TV. No, she can't stew forever. I mean, so I also have the letter from Chip that he sent. Oh, do you really? I do. So I'm gonna read that one to you now. Have we had a letter from Chip on here? No, we have had a letter from Chip's brother. Okay. Also, went by Chip. Yes. Chipless. Their last name is Chipless. So um his brother we will refer to as Chipless, but this is actual Chip. Okay. That's so funny. Yeah. I mean, Chip's been really a constant through all of these letters. Yes. Yes. So we get to hear from him. Oh, I'm actually kind of excited to hear from Chip. Yeah. It's kind of fun. So I don't have an exact date, but it is postmarked April 1944. Okay. Okay. Dear Don, having time decided to respond to your most welcome letter of the 29th. To make clear a statement in my last letter about Frank Evan Chesky being injured was an error. Frank was not injured as rumored. Okay. Wonderful. Wonderful news. Sorry. Gotta set the record straight. That's right. Sorry hearing that the amphibious maneuvers are so strenuous and dangerous. It's about time they would ease up on you. Too bad that I'm not in a position of giving orders. Oh chip, I love you. You put me in mind of John Skutnick when you stated fishing with a chalk line and a pound of steak for bait. Oh, that's right. From ship um fishing from the ship. Mm-hmm. Who helped you get the fish in? That's funny. I know. He's like, oh a subtle dig. Yeah. About the time you get this letter, trout season will be open, and if the weather continues, like it has been in the last week, I think a fellow can catch a few on flies. At least I know that I could do as good as you done last year. Is that is that dig two? Yes, that's dig two. By the way, I made up half a dozen trout size flat fish. I think flat flies, sorry. The smallest I saw are those that we used at the river for bass, which I think are much too large. These that I made up are approximately one inch long. I also gave Miggs a couple. He kind of liked the looks. In case you read of record trout caught in Sullivan County, read no more, and it won't be from the Dew Shore Reservoir. Oh my gosh, read no more. Read no more. Don, the fish rods I have are plenty good. You would be surprised if you've seen the job I done on the trout. Not bragging, and the number 14 will be okay for bass. As for your rod, I'd advise you to hang on to it, because after the war, it will be some time before a half decent rod will be available. Oh, interesting. You wouldn't believe if you heard the price they are asking for a rod and reel. In regard wouldn't they be surprised today? Oh my gosh. In regards to Migs as a fishing partner, all I can say is the boy really got it bad. It's been every weekend for a long time. In fact, he has his fly tying equipment up there. Um and then this second line I only half understand. Okay. Probably the reason for making these weekend trips are to instruct his puppy. He tells me she ties a good bass fly bass fly. So I don't know if he's talking about like a girlfriend or a girl crush or something. Okay. But also they would be having like a weekend getaway. Yeah. I don't think so weird. I know. It's it's odd. They have it's it would seem that Migs and Don have a lot of, or not Migs, it would seem that Chip and Don have a lot of um shorthand. And I don't know what they're saying. I'm sure they understand each other. You know, it's like, well, the weekend trips are for this or that. Yeah, I feel like there's some nuance that we're missing. Nod nod. Yes. I think there is. Yes. We're reading between the lines and we don't even know where the lines are. That's correct. That's correct. Okay. He goes on. The trapping that took place in March is going to ruin many a pond. Young's Creek alone had 17 beavers caught. Splashdam, 13. Hoping a few remain around Rocky Run. At present, I'm working with Miggs and Yorkie. We're back near Migs' old hole. These are mining guys. The shovel opened up a hole, but so far nothing good. Only load an eight truck in two and a half weeks, so I expect to be placed somewhere else anytime unless a sudden change. Did Chip work at the coal mine with your granddad? Mm-hmm. With your pop? Okay. Yep. Chip and Migs both work there. Okay. Here's hoping you get a stomachache and are sent home to recuperate. Oh. Until I hear from you, I remain as ever, your pal Chip. Aww. I know. That's very sweet. It is very sweet. And they were lifelong friends. Yes. Lifelong friends. That's interesting. Did you know him? I didn't. Okay. No. Okay. He passed before I was aware of anything. Okay. That's kind of cool. Yeah. Okay, so back to Donald after those detours. Okay. All right. April 17th, 1944. My dear Philoma, well, another day has passed and I received three letters from you today. Man, she's writing those letters. I also received your two pictures, which are nice. Which are nice. And I'm not gonna tear them up either. I'm glad you sent the cover of that magazine. Boy, it almost made me feel that I was going fishing. Oh I never seen a nicer picture, and the flies are tied real good. In fact, I can name about every fly tied on that hat. That's funny. So the pictures she sent, were they of her or were they of fishing? So she sent him pictures and then she sent him a magazine cover, which I'm assuming is like Bassmaster or whatever. Okay. Or it's like a guy, you know, I'm assuming holding a giant fish or something. Of course it is. You know, conjecture. Um I mean, what do we know? What do we know? Before I forget again, like I have for the last four or five days, I received your box of candy that you sent. As far as being an expert infantryman, it doesn't help a lot, but it helped me in one way, and that's getting out of some of the details. I wouldn't want you to put nothing in the paper about it to heck with it. I believe like her putting that he got expert infantrymen in the paper. Oh, okay. Yeah, he doesn't. He's like, don't worry about it. Okay. She's braggadocious on her bands. I know, she's so proud. She is proud of him, she should be proud of him. Exactly. But but Donald's like, I don't people don't need to know. I can just be proud of myself. Yeah, I think that's exactly what he said. He can just be like intrinsically proud. Yes, I think he is. I believe I wrote and told you about this before, but just in case I didn't, here it is. It's a medal with a silver cross rifles mounted mounted on a blue background. So he's telling her about the medal. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I've only seen pictures of them, but they look good. I suppose some night at Retreat Formation we'll be given the medals, but I guess it won't be for a while yet because we're shipping out of here Thursday. And I doubt if we will ever get the pictures in the paper now with all the commotion that's been going on. Here is the address you can start to write when you receive this letter and have the paper changed to this address too. So the new address is um Company C, the 321st Infantry, APO 81, Camp Beale, California. Okay. So we're going to Camp Beale. Okay. Today was quite an easy one, which always is when you get a day of care and cleaning of equipment, which in my language means bunk fatigue. You're supposed to clean all your equipment, but I usually try to sleep if I don't get caught. Good for you. That's right. Steal those ease. But as usual, they come around for a detail to cut grass, and I was cutting grass with my bayonet from three to five o'clock this afternoon. Can you even imagine? No, that's miserable. Oh yeah. I mean, there must be something better that he can be doing with this. They just need to keep them busy. Cutting grass with your bayonet. Exactly. Exactly. Sounds like backbreaking work. I should have got a TS slip from the chaplain. Boy, they certainly drive a fellow about goofy around here. Take, for instance, this afternoon an order came down. There wasn't gonna be any retreat. About five minutes before, time for retreat, an order came down and they're going to have it. Well then everybody has to run like hell to get changed in our ODs and put your rifle belt on with the bayonet at your side and fall out, and then they have the guts enough to give some fellow hell if they don't look neat. It's the same old shit every day. They just keep you so you don't really know what the hell is taking place. It's called chaos. That's right. Organized chaos. Exactly. And also, uh, yeah, I mean, they don't want you to be prepared, they want you to feel to be comfortable with this feeling. I think that's it. He doesn't understand that yet. No, he's very rational, and this is, you know, war is irrational. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. These guys fight like hell in this outfit after two years of the same old stuff. I guess it gets on anyone's nerves. The first sergeant had to stop four fights last night, and one of the fellas that stays in the hut here with me is a pill roller. That means a medic. Okay. I'm like, yipes. Yes. So all the fellows were coming to get bandaged up until three o'clock this morning. Because of all the fights. Oh my gosh. They have rum and wine in all the huts almost all the time. And boy do they drink. It's too bad I didn't go to Camp Beale when Lou was there. I would have liked to see him. I'm sure. Mm-hmm. How is everything around there? Nice weather now, I hope. How was the first day of trout season? Boy, my left foot is going to hell fast. It even hurts when I don't walk lately, right under my arch and toward the bone and the heel. It's been waking me up through the night and it's never done that before. Not like a headache or like a pick. It's a dull pain. It's something like when your foot's asleep. I'm starting to believe that my arch is falling down close to a nerve. I only hope it doesn't, because I've seen some fellows that have had that and the pain is so great, they try not to fall out and they finally just drop over. Sounds like a heel spur. It yeah, it sounds like plantar fasciitis to me. Totally. Yeah. It's not nearly as bad as what he's making it out. I mean, it does hurt. It's terrible, right? But it's, you know, it's yeah, you can certainly live with it. And you can be a soldier with it, too. Oh this man. I don't know what we're gonna do at Beale, but all this outfit has ever done was build up camps. In Alabama, they made roads, they dug ditches in Tennessee, they done the same in Arizona. They've done the same here. It's almost like they just went. Work the shit out of them guys. The reason I guess is because of the colonel. Oh, this is terrible. This is um a trigger warning for racism. Oh. The reason I guess is because of the colonel. He used to have a plantation in the south and he had a big bunch of Negroes working for him. And the way the fellows talk, I guess he hasn't got over it. Well, kid, I was glad to hear from you once again and take care of yourself. I love and miss you as always. Love and kisses. You're Don. You know, go ahead. That's okay. P.S. Our pictures didn't come out at all. Not even one. Oh. Yeah. Bummer. Sorry. Um, I think it's interesting that he's saying like the unit that he's in has done all this work in the US. I think there's a little part of him that hopes that's all that they were gonna do. You know, like, oh, this is all they ever do, or you know, he's kind of grumbling about it. But I mean, that is a better option than going to war. But the inevitable is coming. Right. I keep saying this. Right. You know, yeah, it's coming. Yeah. Uh yeah. At the end of the day, you wonder, would he prefer to keep bouncing around and dig ditches, or would he prefer to actually go? I mean, I don't want to dig ditches, but I don't want to go either. Right. Exactly. I don't want to do either. Exactly. So I'm wondering, because I know you I don't think you'll tell me. But I wonder if Camp Beal is where they're going to be exiting the US from. I don't know. I feel like it is. I feel like that's going to be the the PoE, the point of embarkation. Yeah. Where they're going to leave from. Yeah. But I don't know. I don't know what I don't. I'm not researched. I don't know. That's all right. I haven't Googled. I don't know what I don't I never know where these episodes are taking us. Oh, me neither. Don't worry. Two of us. Yeah. That makes two of us. Okay. But they're leaving here. I feel like they've they've done their their training on the on the Pierce. And, you know, they've gone on and off crafts. They've done all these things here at Camp San Luis Obispo. But you know. I think when you like he knew what to expect at Camp Adair. Right. And when he came to San Luis Obispo, he was like, you know, he was hopeful it was going to be better than Adair, but then he was like, oh, it's way worse. Right. You know, but now that he's there, he's settled in and he's fine. Right. And now he's getting ready to leave again. And so of course there's the unknown. Right. You know, that's always a little nerve-wracking. A little dicey. It is a little dicey. Yeah. It certainly is. So I guess. I think it's interesting too, coming up like the north and the south again. Yeah. And then talking about this colonel. It's also interesting too, and I need to do more research about it, but you know, at the time the military was segregated. So it's just kind of an interesting thought. Yeah. Gosh, it didn't even occur to me. Mm-hmm. Okay. Yes. That's right. Yeah. Oh, okay. Mm-hmm. So in the context, it is interesting because I mean, even for us, but especially for them, it wasn't that long ago. No. Because you figure, you know, the 1880s, 1860s, 1880s, and now we're in the you know, 40s. Okay. Yeah. But gosh, it really wasn't that far off. No. That's as far as we are from World War II. Yeah. You know? Coming the same distance. Right. Time-wise. Yeah. So that's crazy. It is. It's really interesting to think about. Man, I think of it as being so long ago, but I guess in many ways it's not. In many ways it's not, no. Exactly. Okay. Yeah. I forgot. I do I did forget that the military was segregated at this point. I should have known that. No, no. It's it's a wild thing. Okay. That's crazy. Okay. So the next letter is April 18th, 1944. April 18th. Okay. My dear Philoma. Well, another day has passed and I received your letter of April 14th and was glad to hear from you once again. He's always glad to hear from her. I have all my clothes all packed again and waiting until Thursday till we move. Today we washed and cleaned all the windows in the mess hall and the huts and polished up as usual. Every morning at seven, we polish up the area around here. Tomorrow morning our big bee bags are being shipped out. We have to turn our beds in tomorrow, so that means we'll have to sleep on the floor tomorrow night. We also have to eat out in the street because the mess hall is all cleaned up and they don't want to dirty it. So we have about five meals to eat out of our danged old mess kits again. Those won't be the last ones, Donald. No. They have the kitchen stove sitting out in the streets, and that's where the poor cooks have to cook our meals. I only hope it doesn't rain. We have to wear our overcoats and carry our gas masks, our gas masks, rifles, and full field pack with us on us on the train. Is that ever going to be a sad sack? It's usually up around 90 in the afternoon here. Boy, we certainly are going to be sweet-looking potatoes running around in our overcoats. I don't know what that means. Like I know what it means, but I have never heard the phrase be looking like a sweet potato. A sweet potato. I know. Like I've heard but like I love calling, you know, like pit bulls and pugs and stuff potatoes. That makes me happy. But like we're gonna be looking like sweet potatoes. I don't get it. Just a frumpy mess. Yeah, just a frumpy mess. I guess. I don't know. Yeah. Um he is really painting a picture. He certainly is. I mean, just think about it. Just think about the whole camp packing up. Mm-hmm. They're that's pretty scary. Everybody's they're getting ready to go. Mm-hmm. Depart. I'm warming up some sea rations on the stove right now. I'm kind of hungry, so I thought I'd have a little snack. It's too dang bad we didn't get shipped back east like Katcha did. I don't know what the heck we're gonna do up at Beale unless it's mountain training, because this outfit has taken swamp, desert, amphibious, and jungle maneuvers, and they're pretty well done up. If they give us mountain training, they'll have to discharge a lot more. It's a shame to see some of these fellows how they're beat up and practically ruined for life. I bet they feel that way. Oh yeah. Like what more can you possibly do? I mean, you can dig some more holes. It's a dang good thing the civilian people or the humane society doesn't see the way we get pounded around, or they'd probably charge the government for cruelty to dumb animals. Oh god. Poor Donald, he's so dramatic. He's so dramatic. They're giving us sandwiches to eat for our trip on the train, also. Pretty good, huh? They tell us when to eat, when to go to sleep, when we can go to the show. Well, in fact, everything you do, somebody tells you to do it. I mean, I'm in the army now. That's it. You're in the army. This will be my last letter from here. We're not going to have any mail call anymore till I get to our new camp, but I'll try to let you know I'm thinking of you every day. I'll send it by remote control. Oh I love you very much, dear, more than you can suspect. I only wish that invasion would start so I could come home for good. I miss you terrible. And that one picture where you were sitting on the wall showing your nice legs. Well, that's sort of bad for my constitution. You know what I mean. Loving and missing you as ever. Love and kisses, Don. P.S. I'll write as soon as I get to the other camp. So the picture of her on the wall is the one I is, I think, the one that I used for um a post we made about the article from the Military Times. I remember this picture. Yes, right? I thought she looked so young, and I got I mean, look, she still is very young. Yeah. And it would wreck his constitution. It would, but her little like overall shorts and yeah, sitting on the wall. I think you look like your nan, Katie. I know I do. After I didn't think I did in the past, but like that's my body. Oh my gosh, it is your body. I know. But even I think her eyes, I think your eyes look like hers. Yeah. I really do. Yeah. I have her face is more round than yours. Yeah. But that is your body. My sister and I were laughing about it because we have Those are your legs. They are my legs. I know they are. It's so funny. They're my mom's legs, too. They're also my sister's legs. So like we're just carbon copies. But um, my sister and I were talking about our arms and how like, because they're a little thicker at the top, not in a bad way, but just like, you know, they're just built like that. Dim chunky. Yeah, yeah, they they thick. And we were laughing. They're like, I said they were pasta rolling arms. Yeah, right. My sister said she just remembered Nan always carrying huge trays of lasagna, like at the church or whatever. It's like a cigarette in her mouth. Exactly. They're lasagna carrying arms. That's what they're for. That's for pasta. Exactly. Yeah, this is how we have evolved. Yeah, I I think you look like your Nan, Katie. I know. I mean, it's funny. I'll take it. I don't care. It's it's a compliment. Yeah. I just it is. I love that that picture's wrecking his constitution. Oh, I know. I know. Her in a full t-shirt and shorts just like can't stand it. Oh my goodness. Loved her. Yeah. So actually, because that is the last letter we get um until the next camp, I think this is a good place to stop. I know this episode is kind of shorter than ones we've been doing lately, but um it's a good place to stop because the next one will be a different location. Exactly. And he gave us his address. We can all send him letters. Yeah, exactly. We know where he's going, so that's good. And he has an address, so that's good. So this is where we'll stop for the day. Okay. Thank you so much for following along with us. Um, you can keep up with Donald at 500letters to nana.com and on Instagram at 500letters to Nana. Oh, you can like and like and review. Oh, man. We would really love it. Um, but it's just good for our morale. We see we see the stars, we see the we see the comments. Yeah. Yeah. We're we're um, you know, a couple of smaller things uh have reached out for like advertising and stuff like that. We don't want to do any kind of advertising unless it's meaningful. And or it's that, you know, good, good quince money or purple mattress money. If they want to, you know, give us some free clothes, I'd be down with that. But otherwise, it's really just you guys kind of spreading the word. So and we appreciate it. We do, we feel so much. We appreciate it. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Um, so we are signing off from Camp San Luis Obispo, and we are headed north. We're headed north. We're 2400 miles from Nana right now. We'll see where we are next time. Yeah, hopefully we'll see you in Camp Bill. Maybe we'll hear about a train trip. Oh my god. Bye. Bye. 500 letters to Nana.