Imperial Valley press., 1918-08-01
FORMER EMPLOYE
WRITES PRESS


of United States Marines in Train
ing Quarters at Mare Island, CAL
Sends His Regards to Sergeant
Kern.
Mare Island. July 25, l91S.-Dear
Force: Well. | will now try and
write you letter. suppose that
you will think that am very slow
II writing, but we have been very
ousy in drilling and training, Be-
ieve me, they are sure making US
lit the ball and keep us going. We
get up at $50 a. m. and have to go
wash and be out for roll call IT 6:45
!. m. have never been late yet, but
lave been expecting to every morn
ng. We get police duty for being
ate. Then we start out. They dou-
lie time us for about a mile ard then
i've us Swedish exercises; then come
ack on the double. We are sup
osed to be back and at the chow
.ouse at 1880 a. m. Believe me, they
make you step just about Vha, way
ntil 5 O'Clock in the afternoon. Aft
" that time we do our washing,
.ressing and clean our rifles, etc.
at sure keeps a fellow busy, III
ell the world How is The Press
citing along by now. Has Mac TAX
n his vacation yet. Say, fellows, |
m a happy woman. We get cut of
etention tomorrow and guess 'Fris-
for me Saturday and Sunday. Oh,
oy. We hit it pretty lucky. We
My had to stay here in "bcot
amp" little over two weeks. Most
the fellows, three weeks. Say, this
great life if You don't weaken.
.ut for me it is the best thing that
ever had in the world, and ! am
razy about it. l don't suppose you
an read this, for my right ann is
wollen all the way down to my
-rist very nearly double size, caused
rom my vaccinations. All three of
rem took right off the bat. This
fternoon the sergeant marched US
yer to the hospital. There they gave
5 our second shot in the arm and
-ou tell the world they sure hurt a
| ew hours later. The last one made
ne little bit sick, but did not last
| ong. This is our second one. One
| more and we are through with vacci-
| lations.
"We sure had fine trip coming
/, Up, but when we got to Los Angeles
The recruiting office there had n
lunch %f men going out that night.
o they just shipped US on. We never
| ad any time for anything. We took
J mother examinations there an ! passed
| inc. After arriving here, we got two
more. Believe me, they were bears.
)ne fellow who came up fell Gown
IN the finals.
"We were in the applicant barracks
ne week before getting our clothes.
ay, you people there don't know what
God cats are. You call the Dread
ood, but if you could get good wheat
read (white) and very few substi-
| utes, you could then think Of good
| ats. Here they give you all YOU can
at, and more, too, if you want it.
hey are working mans meals. Old
Incle Sammy is sure going TO feed
| is nephews good. ! have been pret-
lucky so far. | haven't had to
)ick "snipes" or sweep and Grub the
ompany walks yet. Il am Knocking
| wood now.
"The only time that | have ever
often a real bawling out was the
irst week we were here in camp. One
light the "gobs" (sailors) put on a
| musicale at the Auditorium. Most
| # us went. 1t was about | o'clock
when It let out. came down the
valk with my drill shoes on, w1ch
sounded like the mules on the pave
/
nent. ! didn't think about the light
or walking on my tiptoes, SO J went
n and lit the light and was r,alling
| noise every place. In about min
| ute ! heard someone asking whose
ouk this was. looked up and it
vcg the sergeant. Say. if yon thin!'
tfat guy didn't bawl me out. ask my
! i'uikie and let him tell you. Believe
ne, ! know enough to turn of ihe
juice when ! come in and always walk
on my toes after toattoo.
"The discipline is very strict here,
but you can make a hard jCb out OF
anything. SO long as you treat then
square, they will You. Say, fellows.
minutes ago heard all the D; nds
o., the island. 1t sounded like more