Hello Folks
Thursday - March 20.
Last night, 5 minutes after talking to you on the phone, Company nineteen boarded busses and went to Union Station where the men got on a train alphabetically. The first 70 men getting troop sleepers - cattle cars, the remaining getting Pullmans.
At 8:30 the train pulled out of the station and many of us took our last look at the Chicago Skyline - Chicago had been a swell town.
Being the last car - word was soon passed that we could sleep later in the morning since we would be served breakfast last. Although the men had done nothing but sit all day everyone was anxious to "Hit the Hay". Riding Pullman was a first for many. Brown our Negro porter made up a few berths, but the men seemed more anxious to do it themselves and busily scurried around hanging curtains and everything else connected with sleeping in a Pullman.
The Chief petty officer in charge of our car, old Navy man, just shook his head and mumbled to himself about the lady like sailors now-a-days.
By ten o'clock the fellows were ready for bed - but couldn't seem to get to sleep - until by request - I played tattoo and taps. 5 minutes after taps all that could be heard was the heavy breathing of soundly sleeping men or the groan of a sleepy Sailor shifting to a better position. Then through the quiet the click sound of the wheels on the rails going clickety clackity in their regular, steady rhythm was singing us to sleep and lullabying us on our way to Sunny California.
Thursday and Friday morning:
Friday - This morning found us a few miles from Kansas City - and after chow, the fellows took in the scenery and talked about things to come on the way. I did my best to wash my teeth with my finger since in the rush I had forgotten my toothbrush, but everytime the train lurched, I became nearer to having another purple heart.
About noon, we arrived in Kansas City. While the train was switched around, we ate lunch at a service mens chow hall where the food was pretty good. Then each man was given a box lunch to eat on the train for dinner. (we lost our dining car in Kansas City) By 2:30 we were on our way again - cutting across the vast Kansas plains. Of course crap and card games were noticeable throughout the train and it wasn't long before all types of gambling and various games were well under way as the men tried to pass away the time. The little box lunches didn't last long when dinner time rolled around and it is amazing how well we kept from raiding them sooner.
As soon as it was dark - we turned in.
Finis 1st Day - 2nd Night.
Friday:
When I awoke we were in Pueblo Colorado. Sometime during the night we had passed La Junta. I think I have relatives there don't I?
After stepping on Colorado soil for a few seconds we shoved off and then began the most enjoyable and beautiful day of the trip. We passed through Royal Gorge - a little one way track and a river all about 50 yards wide, towered on either side by tremendous cliffs and in one particular spot a suspension bridge hung thousands of feet above us. Later we entered the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and soon were looking awesomely upon Pikes Peak - Mt Elbert and the rest of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. To describe these striking scenes is beyond my capacities - but believe me, I have never seen anything quite so beautiful before in my life. By dark everybody's neck was aching due to trying to see so much mountain in so little time. Indeed, Darkness and bedtime weren't quite as happily received today.
Saturday:
Last night while most of us slept - and with a very few exceptions for those who had relatives there, we passed through Salt Lake City and across the famous Salt Flats where Sir Malcolm Campbell won fame racing.
Dawn, when we awoke, found us crossing the great deserts of Utah and by noon we had entered the boring Nevada flat lands. For miles we would travel over nothing but flat ground when all of a sudden towering hills and peaks would stick 300 or 400 feet out of the ground - then more flat land. About 3 o'clock we saw Bing Crosby's Ranch. Nothing of interest happened until dinner when we approached Reno. We passed through Reno just as darkness was closing in, and all men had their heads out of the windows as we passed the magnificent little town all ablaze with night clubs, gambling houses and theaters. It seemed as if everybody in town was out to wave as we rolled slowly through the heart of the town.
Until bedtime we watched the silhouettes and outlines of the hills and mountains around us and then turned in, parched and ready to get off the train the minute we hit Shoemaker.
Sunday:
At 4 o'clock this morning we were roused and by 4:30 had entered Camp Shoemaker.
Right off the bat I was given a work detail unloading gear. Now - 3:55 my time - about 6:00 your time I'm situated in this dismal spot with thousands of men all waiting to be shipped. Negroes are everywhere and I'm hoping I get out of here Soon. I have plenty of time now, for a while, so can write occasionally.
Well, the trip out here was wonderful, even though I did forget my tooth brush, and one I shan't forget. I have now added six more states to my repertoire viz: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California - now a total of 15. Well, you can reach me at this address - so please write. In the meantime I sit under the California Sun and - sleep - sleep wash clothes. Tote the line et. etc.
Lots of love,
Bud.
Radioman ↓ ahem
Return Address:
Harlan Stivey Yenne Jr. 2/c RM
Barracks 10/14 Bunk 62
U.S. Naval Receiving Station
Shoemaker, California