One of the most incredible things about these letters from my grandparents is that we live in the age of Google. I can plug “Camp Hill Farragut Idaho” into Google and connect these letters to the real world. It reminds me that there was a war going on and this stuff ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Of course it happened… but man, this literally brings it home.

So Google just taught me a few things. My grandpa’s training camp opened on December 2, 1942. That’s when these letters started. So he was there at the beginning. It was open for 30 months and trained over 293,000 recruits. So yep… here it is.

Dear DeLores,

Well! I just got off of K.P. duty a little while ago and am a little tired. Not too bad today as I got off the pan washing job in the kitchen and was on serving line. That gave me about two hours off this afternoon. But I had to wash some clothes so I didn’t get any rest.

You really are going to have a trained husband when you get me. I have learned to wash my own clothes and boy is it tough on the hands. Especially when you have to use a brush and scrub the clothes by hand. My hands are all full of blisters. Don’t let it bother you as they heal in a short time and I’ll be all right.

I have another cold. I don’t seem to be able to lose it. But I always have them anyway so I’m used to them.

Am glad to hear that you and Bernice are having a little fun. You might as well enjoy yourself for both of us. I don’t have any time for any real enjoyment but I’m looking forward to the future when both of us may have our enjoyment together.

Sure dear, go ahead to the dance if you wish. I want you to have some fun. You know what I expect of you. I know you won’t ever do anything that I wouldn’t like you to do. All I want you to do is to remember me and be my sweetheart all the time.

No! There isn’t any special address for mailing boxes. Just the same as my letters. I sure would be very happy if you would make some cookies or something for me.

I believe that I have explained how this camp is located. It is in a large basin completely surrounded by mountains. When the sun shines it is really beautiful. One of the largest lakes in the country is located here. The lake has 515 miles of shoreline. The training station is made up of 6 separate camps. Each camp contains a 10 acre recreation hall, a large mess hall and a ship service, same as a canteen, and I don’t know how many 2 story barracks. Each camp also has 2 dispensaries. Each camp when full will hold about 5,000 men. Our camp is only half full and it has been open only 2 weeks. Here is a diagram of the barracks I live in.

I hope you get some idea of the place I live in. The bunks aren’t bad as when I go to bed I’m so tired I fall to sleep nearly right away. I’ll have to close for now as I’m getting pretty tired. Please say hello to Marie, Addie, your Mother, Dad and anybody that may ask.

Give my special hello’s to Hi and Al and all the kids. Tell them I’ll write them very soon. To my future wife I send my whole heart. It is a little cracked from being away from you but I know you are taking good care of it.

I put a kiss there in return for the one you sent me. Take good care of yourself for both of us, Darling.

Your loving husband to be,

Joe