Encoded for for the Veterans History Project, January 14, 2021.
All letters in the Audrae Gandreau collection were digitized.
The following letters were transcribed from the handwritten originals by Veterans History Project staff. No alterations to this transcription has been made, although spelling errors are indicated with [sic]. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*.
July 13, 1945
Dear Mom,
While I’m sitting here with my pencil and notebook waiting to take a P.T. test (physical training) I’ll start this letter to you. Today, we also get another shot of tetanus.
It seems we don’t actually start our basic until next Tuesday. We are what they call “hold-overs" because our Company isn’t full. That means we won’t be finished our basic till 6 weeks from next Tuesday and then if I have to go to clerk’s school, which I probably will, (they classify you, as they want, not as you want) and that will mean 8 more weeks here. It will be sometime in October or later before I ever get away.
I can’t say I’m crazy about this life, but all the older girls
say basic is really rough. They just see how much you can take and after that it eases up. I sure hope so because too many weeks of having to have everything in it’s exact place within ¼ of an inch and not a speck of dust or one wrinkle in a bed. (and every non com does it a different way) and we have to remember whose way is what and do it her way when she comes around- Oh me! I don’t really dislike it, but gosh it is nerve-wracking. The strange part is I feel swell and eat well and so far have gained.
You should see the big high-topped “field" Army boots we wear for fatigue. Just like mens, but good leather (brown). They have [?] [?] which work up our
beautifully scrubbed floors (which we scrub every day). Our P.T. dresses (we have two of them) are green and white or brown and white seersucker with shorts to match (the shorts so called) are old- fashioned bloomers that hang to the knees. Some have elastic in the legs, some have not. The ones with elastic are o.k. cause they can be pushed up, but the others are just as [?] to hang [?] as not. The dresses also tie at the waist and button down the front. Really comfortable. We also get 5 shirts, two ties, 3 summer skirts, a lonely [?] off-duty dress and cap.(skirt waist style) 3 pair [?] hose and 4 [?] and 1 pr. service shoes (brown [?]) yellow-cotton gloves, brown leather gloves and brown utility bag like my
[?] purse. Oh yes and a [?] raincoat with hood and a detachable wool lining [^and overshoes^]. That’s for summer. For winter we have 3 A.D. skirts and blouses- overcoat with brass buttons, off-duty dress of fine wool material- and lots of other things too. I’ll think of them all later. But you can see we are well clothed.
I report to the dentist this morning at 9:00. He’s giving me partial plates. Imagine!
[Goddard?] the big girl who passed her physical with me (remember?) has been in the hospital 2 days with tonsillitis. She doesn’t want to go again. They shot her near full of penicillin and pills of all description, she’s beside me now and says “Hello."
They took the impression
for my plates and just about gagged me. Oh gosh, in a few more minutes we get a shot.
We stood our first [?] parade last nite. It was quite impressive. Next week we actually participate in the parade. Can’t say I’m too anxious, cause golly it’s hot in this country, but as long as I don’t fall on my face, I guess I can stand it. I don’t think I’ll ever be clean again. We work like beavers (but no really heavy work) and never even get time to wash for mess. As I was going to the dentist this A.M., some soot blew in my face and then all that gummy stuff and boy was I a mess.
Just back from our shot. My arm is a little sore but otherwise I’m o.k.
I think I’d better start
bringing this to a close so it will go out today.
Please Mom save my letters so I can pick up my rookie days when I come back. If I ever get time I’ll tell you all the details.
You should hear these women gossip. Gee, I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open and mouth shut and I think I’ll live longer.
For now my love to you all and kiss my darlings for me and tell them mommy loves them with all her heart.
Your lil’ ol’ rookie,
Audrae