Smyrna times., 1945-07-05

Marine training. After that l went
to Treasure Island for three days
and then was shipped overseas.
Truth is I'm sailor, but I'm
not assigned to any ship. It's
somewhat like the "Seabees."
Up to the present, I have not
met up with any fellow from
around Smyrna; in fact, no one
from Delaware. However, I'm
keeping sharp lookout for some
of the native sons.
I'm fresh out of any news that
will pass the censors, so I'll sign
off for the present.
Hoping to hear soon from some
of my friends, remain
Yours very truly,
George K, Oliphant, S &c
George K. Oliphant, S &c
U. S. Naval Reserve
Navy No. 1856
C o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
balance of address on application)
Well, sailor, who is not on
ship, Dribbles is certainly pleased
to hear from you. Unfortunately
we did not pick up your address
while you were going through
boot" over at Bainbridge, Mary
land. 1t was not until you went
down to Camp Peary, Virginia,
that your name was entered in the
column; this occurred under the
date of February 22nd, 1945-
Washington's Birthday if you
please. However, now that the ice
has been broken, sailor, we hope
we'll be hearing from you right
along. Course you will not be per-
mitted to pass along any news
that will be chopped out by the
Naval Censors, and if you did we
could not publish it, but you can
keep us up to date on how you are
coming along in the Service. At
ter all, what your friends really
want to know about you is that
you are in good health, and MAX
ing out alright. If you'll do just
this, George, we'll try and forgive
you for not tipping us off as to
how the war against japan is ac-
tually developing. Naturally, we
all hope that Japan will be forced
to sue for peace at an early date;
however, this is something that no
one can safely predict. The soon
er the better it will be for us all,
and the japanese race included.
Pretty soon things will begin to
pop in such a manner that even
most of us will be a bit surprised.
Don't ask me what / mean be-
cause it's military secret. Right
now the Japs are taking a pretty
good shellacing, but it's nothing to
be compared with what can be ex-
pected. Well face plenty of tough
going, but in the end Japan will
be destroyed
Things around Smyrna are NOV
ing along slowly in the same old
groove. We've just experienced a
real warm spell, you know the
kind that seems to push up the
corn over night. A few of the
Boys are returning home to enter
civilian life over again. Some rate
this due to the point system, and
Others are out on medical dis
charges. Meanwhile, the young
fellows, and a sprinkling of the
older boys are entering the Ser
vice. This may continue for the
young fellows if universal training
is approved by our Congress. Nat
urally, there will be plenty of arg
ument on both sides about this.
Frankly, 1 feel that the issue is
one that should be decided when
the world is a peace. In the past
Congress has been known to pass
legislation under the stress of war
that did not prove out so well. In
a time like this emotions play too
great part. What we need is
level thinking on the part of
everyone before such move is
made. 1t should not be pushed
down our throats whether our peo-
Pile want it or not. After all, we
live in the United States and that
name stands for a lot to all true
Americans. Since it will be the
people, and the sons of people who
will serve under any type of uni
versal training law, it should be up
to the people themselves to decide.