January 26, 1943

Fort Sill, Okla.

Jan. 26, 1943

Dear Mom & Dad:

Sorry to be so late in writing – but it has just been impossible up to now. I didn’t realize it was possible to keep so many men so busy so continuously. Wow! They’ve really been laying it to us. We are so busy bucking ourselves up we don’t even get time to study – much less write letters. I haven’t much time right now either because they’re slapping a big exam at us tomorrow on Administration & Military Law. I’ll just give you a res-u-may & then write a more detailed letter this weekend.

We left Bragg on Wed eve at 7:30 P.M. on a bus & rode to Southern Pines about 40 miles away where we caught the Seaboard line. The trip was a long one both in time & distance. Went thru So. Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri & Oklahoma. How’s that for covering the South?

We had a 16 hour lay over in Springfield, Mo. from 8 A.M. Fri morning till 1 A.M. Sat. morning. We certainly had a great time during those few hours of freedom. First of all we headed for the Y.M.C.A. & had a bath & swim – then a clothes press at the taylor-shop – then a good meal. From there we did some roaming around town & went bowling. Later in afternoon we went up to a U.S.O. in town * promoted a dance for the evening.

The U.S.O. got hold of a bunch of cute gals & gave us a dance that night. I met a very lovely little gal (blond) who was one of the best dancers I’ve met down here in the deep south. I expect to correspond with her if time permits.

Sat. afternoon at about 3 P.M. we pulled into Ft. Sill – that’s as far as I’ll go this time. I’ll write you Sunday all about the events of the week.

Let it suffice now – that I’m feeling swell & spirits are still high. Altho this place is rough. Write soon – I could use a letter.

Love,

Dorance