Letter, Irene Conole to her parents
A letter from Irene Conole to her parents, written shortly after her arrival at basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland. Irene tells her parents that she is required to write home and that the recruits have to shower and wear clean clothes everyday. Irene reports that she attended mass and that the priests on base are wonderful. She explains that she will get $50 on payday, but $28 of it will go to uniforms.
Oct 5th 1952:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Here I am again. This is the letter
that has to be written today for it’s
checked by the Co. Commander.
We have to take a shower every
day and wear clean clothes every day.
That’s one thing that they insist on
and that’s cleanliness.
I went to Mass at 6:45a and
the priest was wonderful. There are
seven priests on this base. The
Chaplain stated that we are to talk
and approach him just like we would if
we were home for he is not an officer
or he is not here to fight the war for us
or listen to any stupid talk from some
maladjusted kids with stupid personal
problems. We are also to call him Father not
Chaplain.
Friday is pay day and we get $50.
$28 goes toward our uniforms.
I might be calling you next Sunday
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afternoon. Today there was such a
line that we couldn’t get near the
telephone.
I’m in the lounge and the girls
are talking about their boyfriends.
What a bunch of kids! But they are nice
I just met a girl that worked for
the Telephone Co in Florida. We had
quite a conversation.
Well I’ll sign off for now.
Love
Irene
P.S. Tell James & Henry I will write
them very soon O.K.?