The Sauk Centre herald., 1941-06-19


theatre where moving pictures,
stage shows, radio shows, home
talent shows offer entertainment.
Hollywood is only 55 miles away
and to Camp Haan come almost
weekly radio and film stars in per-
son. Then there are baseball and
other games between regiments
that are as alluring and incentive
as games between st. Paul and
Minneapolis at home. Even in the
army baseball is the great outdoor
sport.
Over weekends the boys are al
lowed extensive privileges-leave of
absence to visit friends in nearby
cities or to go to the mountains or
to the beaches. Regimental con-
voy is given $50 men Of each regi-
ment each Sunday to Laguna beach
where bathing is superb. Arrange
ments for $50 men to make the trip
to Catalina Island in glass bottom
at a minimum of expense are in
vogue. The life Of the Camp Haan
soldier boy has its very bright side,
too.
Health: Why, there is nothing
else but in Camp Haan. Once in
while a fellow sprains an ankle
getting to the mess house or slid
ing into second base and has a turn
in the hospital but there is little
or no sickness here. Certainly no
one Is going to be afflicted with
sunstroke down here. For a couple
Of hours each day 1t Is quite warm
but the weather is gloriously cool.
At night blankets must be used.
There are no contagious diseases
and no evidence Of communicable
diseases. The problem of social dis
ease has been well solved through
the efforts of the government it.
self and the alertness and thor
oughness of law enforcement in
San Bernadino and Riverside and
other cities close to Camp Haan.
I understand that things were
quite muddy around this new camp
due to unprecedented rains in the
spring. And there were colds and
some flu naturally but the boys
laugh at that when they think of
picking oranges off the trees down
here the same day the severe
March blizzard had us all standing
on our ear back home. Personally
I know of no more delightful and
equable climate in the nation than
right here in San Bernardino Val
ley.
Yesterday I stood by when mail
was delivered to the boys-some
eighty of the boys from Sauk Cen
tire. I say probably 20 of the boys
walk away with their letters and
their smiles. I saw too the other
boys walk away, disappointment
written on too many faces. They
didn't draw any letters from home
Shucks! These chaps are only boys,
1000 miles from home-boys who
in their tender years are wondering
what it Is all about. They may
be soldiers in the U. s. Army but
they are only boys and a letter
from home, from a pal, from
friend brings a smile to them.
Lonesome? Sure they are lone
some. They won't admit it but the
eagerness with which they rush to
the mail booth when mail is to be
distributed tells eloquently what
home and "the folks" and their
friends and their old pals mean to
them.
It has been a great treat to me
their friends and their old pals
mean to them.
visiting with the boys. Lieutenant
Colonel Scott has more than 100
men under him at this time. Both
he and Captain Fischer have a real
job to perform. To all appearances
they are doing the job well. Both
are as brown as berries.
I am leaving at 500 a. m. for
San Diego. BY the end Of the week
I shall be enroute across the deserts
into Texas cities. expect to spend
about one month in Texas and then
head northward. Little old Sauk
Centre looks good to me too.
Hoping you are all well at home,
am,
Your old sparring partner,
Bob ]. Malloy.