The Making of a Soldier
Private Samuel Keyes
Rome Air Depot
Rome, New York
11 Nov 1942
Dear Family,
Arrived here yesterday evening after an eight-hour ride direct on a troop train from Devens. It is colder than the devil as well as snowy and muddy. This is an entirely new camp and is not yet completed. This is a replacement center, and I may not stay here long. I can’t tell. I will probably start my basic training tomorrow as well as having another interview to determine whether I will get to a mechanic school or not.
The hours are some better here than they were at Devens. We get up at 5:30 as compared with 4:00 at Devens and lights are out at 10 p.m. as compared with 9 p.m. at Devens. The food has been terrible so far at this camp, but you have to eat it or go hungry. The food was wonderful at Devens.
Have just spent three hours sewing on my Air Corps insignia on the shoulder of my overcoat, jacket and flight jacket. I did a very good job, and they look nifty. I wish you could see my uniform, but I’m afraid my next move will be further west rather than east. I couldn’t make Boston from here on a weekend pass.
Had a beautiful train ride from Devens and noticed that western Massachusetts has as many mountains as Maine.
There isn’t too hot a bunch of soldiers in my present barracks, but I get along all right. Was on detail with a pick and shovel gang again this afternoon.
Would appreciate it very much if you would send me the following: 10 clothes hangers as we have to hang our clothes up, and it’s rather hard without hangers; my pipe and tobacco that are in my room; a small, black notebook with the word ‘Think’ printed on it, which is also in my room; a map of New York covering upper New York and Vermont, if we have one around the house.
Tell Prescott I’m going to try to get an Air Corps insignia for him like the ones I have, if he would like one for his sweater.
Haven’t seen Ralph Jury since I left Fort Devens, but I imagine he is around the camp somewhere.
The airport is about a half-mile from here and is not yet complete. I don’t imagine I will see any tools for months.
I lent my new $2.95 pen to a soldier at Devens and realized today I never got it back.
We are all called soldiers now and call each other soldier, when we don’t know one’s name, rather than fella or guy.
Haven’t seen a paper for days, but a soldier in my barracks has a radio, and I’ve been listening all evening to more encouraging news reports than I have been accustomed to.
Tell Harry I will write when I have the time. I have been going to bed as early as possible each night because of the hours.
I feel like a veteran in the Army already on my first week anniversary. So much has happened, and I have been awake so many hours the last week that it seems I have been in for months.
My address is (as you can see from the envelope)
Private Samuel Keyes – 11115949
14th Station Complement, Barracks 29
Rome Air Depot, New York
Love,
Sam
Rome Air Depot
Rome, New York
11 Nov 1942
Dear Family,
Arrived here yesterday evening after an eight-hour ride direct on a troop train from Devens. It is colder than the devil as well as snowy and muddy. This is an entirely new camp and is not yet completed. This is a replacement center, and I may not stay here long. I can’t tell. I will probably start my basic training tomorrow as well as having another interview to determine whether I will get to a mechanic school or not.
The hours are some better here than they were at Devens. We get up at 5:30 as compared with 4:00 at Devens and lights are out at 10 p.m. as compared with 9 p.m. at Devens. The food has been terrible so far at this camp, but you have to eat it or go hungry. The food was wonderful at Devens.
Have just spent three hours sewing on my Air Corps insignia on the shoulder of my overcoat, jacket and flight jacket. I did a very good job, and they look nifty. I wish you could see my uniform, but I’m afraid my next move will be further west rather than east. I couldn’t make Boston from here on a weekend pass.
Had a beautiful train ride from Devens and noticed that western Massachusetts has as many mountains as Maine.
There isn’t too hot a bunch of soldiers in my present barracks, but I get along all right. Was on detail with a pick and shovel gang again this afternoon.
Would appreciate it very much if you would send me the following: 10 clothes hangers as we have to hang our clothes up, and it’s rather hard without hangers; my pipe and tobacco that are in my room; a small, black notebook with the word ‘Think’ printed on it, which is also in my room; a map of New York covering upper New York and Vermont, if we have one around the house.
Tell Prescott I’m going to try to get an Air Corps insignia for him like the ones I have, if he would like one for his sweater.
Haven’t seen Ralph Jury since I left Fort Devens, but I imagine he is around the camp somewhere.
The airport is about a half-mile from here and is not yet complete. I don’t imagine I will see any tools for months.
I lent my new $2.95 pen to a soldier at Devens and realized today I never got it back.
We are all called soldiers now and call each other soldier, when we don’t know one’s name, rather than fella or guy.
Haven’t seen a paper for days, but a soldier in my barracks has a radio, and I’ve been listening all evening to more encouraging news reports than I have been accustomed to.
Tell Harry I will write when I have the time. I have been going to bed as early as possible each night because of the hours.
I feel like a veteran in the Army already on my first week anniversary. So much has happened, and I have been awake so many hours the last week that it seems I have been in for months.
My address is (as you can see from the envelope)
Private Samuel Keyes – 11115949
14th Station Complement, Barracks 29
Rome Air Depot, New York
Love,
Sam