Letter from Norman Smith to Howard and Violet Smith, November 27, 1943

Recieved the welcome pakage and everything was in tact.

So there isn't much Scotch in the Smith family, "eh?" How come only a post card? Come on now you have more time than I do.

Here we go to bed, sometimes, at 9:30 and arise at 6:00. However lately we have started night hikes. Last night's was a 12 mile hike with a light field pack. Boy do these hikes knock out the members of the "38 year old class"! Last night the ambulance got two or three loads.

I had a chance to get a pass this weekend but turned in down as I hadn't heard from you as to where Irma lived in Los Angeles. Please send her address!

Yesterday we had a chance to smell the various poison gases used in modern warfare. Boy do they get you! These were no fakes

but were in small concentrations. Later we went into a gas chamber with our gas masks on; then we had to go in and put them on in the chambers. It was only "Tear Gas" but boy did my eyes water and burn for hours afterward.

This barracks I'm in has a good gang of fellows but we have not learned to clean yet, as yesterday we got the 8 eight ball sign. Boy you don't have to work to get that!

I'm well and happy here but only at times, fed to suit me. We eat in cafeteria style with mess kits. Thanksgiving day we really ate and I'm not kidding. I had a plate so full that it was like eating hash.

The roaches here have subdued slightly however one can still get a free ride across the floor when lights go out.

The lice situation or "crabs" has been cast off by me but they're still around!

This land looks a great deal like North Dakota especially the fact that the top soil is caked for 15 inches in depth.

I am certainly glad that I had that I had that State Guard Training as its proving its value now.

I don't think I've lost any weight yet but I know I will.

I was on a paint detail for the first week I was here and got more paint on me than the walls. I did stenciling painting walls and shovel handels.

I wrote a letter to John yesterday and will probably write at least one letter to everybody in both sides of the family some time next year. Time here is an important element. So I'm learning.

Today is Saturday so we quit at noon. Then I went on a "special detail" stringing barbed wire. Tuesday night we are going out to put on a bolo or morons way of going through it.

Also wrote Tom so I hope to hear from him soon.

Did you find H. R's address yet? I'd like to have it.

Look's like I'll have to wait a while to become a general as there are a awful lot of guys ahead of me! Ha!

Money here exchanges hands very rapidly as the poker games have been in full swing.

Well guess I'll do my washing after I finish this letter.

Next week I'm slated for K.P. so then I'll have fun.

Well guess I'll sign off.

P.S. Hello Marlene and Howell
How are you. Write me.
Hi Gary