Collester

family and photos

Month: October 2015

Dear Bob, Esther, & Sandy

Fort Ord, CA

After too much delay, here is another letter from Jimmie Lee Collester while in the Army. Again, this one is interesting in that it is directed to his Aunt, Uncle and ‘Sandy’, yet the letter is sent to his parents’ street address.

003.0


Letter Transcript:

Page 1:
Aug. 4, ’54

Dear Bob, Esther, & Sandy,
Just a line to let you know everything is fine. I’ve kept pretty busy but the food and officers are good. We get up at 4:30 A.M. It is not bad though. It is damp and cold here morns & eves.

(Left Margin)
Boy! We’ve got clothes galore, a whole duffle bag so full, I don’t know what I’ll do with the ones I’m wearing.

(Right Margin)
My main objection is the strictness. Do not write until I send you permanent address.

Page 2:
  The food is good but you’re so hungry you eat anyway. My two so-to-speak buddies are veterans, one from Korea in 1952 or so, and the other, once a marine, a sailor and now in the army. I did not sleep much on way down and was tired first day. (it dragged too!)
I did a little K.P., (Voluntary) today. I’m pretty lonesome and will be glad to get home, I have no idea what it will be like in 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, we get 2 weeks off, then 8 more weeks of advanced training.

(Right Margin)
Will send address later, J. Lee


Letter Images

003.1

003.2