The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-11-05
LETTERS FROM
SERvicEMEN
AT LEAST 1915

Pvt. Albert Kurre, End Guard Co.,
Marine Bar, Mare Island, Calf, who
has just gotten out of "boot camp"
writes:
az have been quite busy since my
first letter to you. I've graduated from
boot camp into sea school and now
my training at sea school is also COM
pleted. I am now stationed here at
Mare Island to do guard duty until
I get ship, which might take me
anywhere from two weeks to six
months.
while in sea school everything was
pretty strict, we had to do our own
starching and ironing of shirts, press
ing our trousers, shining our shoes
like mirrors, polish brass, etc. When
ever we had an spare time you'd find
us shining our shoes, etc.
1--WE have inspection and drills two
times day, one at 7:30 a. m. the
other at 100 p. m. We sure had to be
neat and snappy. There are many
standards to be upheld in sea school
and they really kept them up too.
A big shot general, ETC., would want to
see the barracks they'd bring them
over to sea school, Here at Mare Is
land everything is different, that is,
inspectors aren't so strict, etc. Back
at sea school We had to learn all about
the navy, etc. Here We will be on
guard duty every other day, four
inh of
hours
Pvt. u. E. "Cap" Ojala, 37298310,
TT. Det, Co. I, 68th Med. Rgt., Camp
Forrest, Tenn, says that the medical
corps does most everything but feed
babies and change diapers" He writes
to an Ely friend, as follows:
"We were rated as the best medical
regiment in the country We belong
in the second echalon as collecting
station. However, in emergency must
be able to take the place of doctor
or nurse. Do most everything but
feed babies and change diapers.
UNLESS we hear different, will have
at least six more weeks of training.
Most of the last four weeks will be
spent on medical experience in the
field So far we have studied by lee
lures and motion pictures and hiked
up to ten miles a day plus drilling,
obstacle course and calisthenics. Some
times we are on the go l6 hours per
day.
"Made a trip to Chattanooga on
weekend pass. Went over the Cum
berland Mountains, passing the
Wonder Caves. Saw many historical
sites, mostly pertaining to the Civil
War. From Lookout mountain you
can see seven states from one stand
ing 1t is only 81 miles from Chata-
nooga. The Tennessee river is muddy
colored. I took in the sights on
river boat.
CAS- to the farms, think White
Iron has better ones. A few cotton,
sugar cane, and corn patches in the
southern part of the state. See occa-
sional fruit trees that don't amount
to much.
"Got a letter from Bill Hernesmaa
anu oUSNS Dill ID
ambulance on maneuvers in LeaSville,
La. I guess Steve writes to you. The
weather is just like August in North
ern Minnesota.
"Boys been kidding me about some
of the letters l wrote that were pub
lished in The Ely Miner. 'Cy' Martin
got word from Norman Dinsmore, who
is in Nashville now, that he is lay
ing for me for knocking the M P.
service Says he will haul me in the
first time he catches me around that
burg as he is in military police SER
vice there now for few weeks. Most
of our troops are there on maneu-
vers.
"After an attack of pneumonia, I'm
feeling fine and gaining weight again.
Grub is fair now and see a lot of
goat and mutton served here with
plenty of vegetables and some fruit
and ice cream"
Sgt Earl c. Bird, Hq Goth Div, G.
4 Sec., APO SO, Camp Van Dorm, Miss,
who has just been transferred from
desert maneuvers in California, writes:
"Here am moved just about three
fourths of the way across the CONT