Lot 15 Letter 20 - 5th of March, 1943

5		March		1943

To: Mrs H.K. Beyer

124, 2nd Avenue, West Reading, Pennsylvania.

From: A/C/C Private H.K. Beyer 904 Training Group light #602, AAFTTC B.T.C #9

Miami Beach, Florida.

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March 4, 1943

Darling;

Sorry I can' start off with anything better than "Guard Duty" but that' all we've been having all day. First of all, we were issued rifles of the vintage of 1917 and 1918. We had to learn the manual of arms and really know if before we go on guard duty. We had to pack barrack bags and move away from our regular post for this duty.

We, nine men in all, are quartered in a fairly small hotel room containing three cots and three double decker bunks with mattresses, only springs - very comfortable sounding isn't it. Now getting back again, practically all day until we had it mastered. Manual of arms is a military manner of handling a gun. By the way a rifle is never referred to as a rifle, gun etc.. Its called a "piece" Can you imagine that?

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Just imagine the reaction that brought from some of these "high school boys", talking about "pieces" all day. Some of them almost got court martialled. Along with the "manual of arms" we had to learn eleven general orders for the guard as well as all the various challanges and military with the matter. Well this morning we started at 7 AM and the first guard consisting of 30 men went out at 6 PM. I'm in the second guard. Altogether there are three guards all consisting of 30 men. These are broken up into single posts or all told you have about 100 yards to walk back and forth for two hours until you've recieved by the next guard. The whole outfit is in on this and it will last until tomorrow, Monday nite at 6 PM. It is not punishment dear, it is just one of the military routines which every good soldier must perform. It was very cold down here today.

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I' say about 35 degrees and a high wind. The weather in general is very treacherous down here, it can be so hot one day and almost icy cold the next day. This week was hot and dry until we had our parade yesterday. It started raining and this morning it was icy cold. Not one cloudy day since. I' here though, darling; it' all been beautiful weather with a few short rainstorms, here and there. Well dearest, I can' say much more than I miss you very, very much and can' wait until this is over down here and we can be together again. It will soon be time for me to get on the job, and I want to mail this before so Bye - now. Be a good girl and think of me - Punkie.

All my love and kisses
Herb
P.S. - regards to all.

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