In The Army Now.

1943 Introduction.

Before the letters to and from Pvt. Art begin, there are two letters which must be printed here to complete this collection - they were postmarked before Art left for the Armed Forces:

March 8, 1943

Dear Art,

How are you doing way up there in the hills of Kaintuck? I hope you are fine. I'm in the best of health, and am gaining weight every day.

I received your nice long letter a week ago, and I am very late in answering you, but Art I'm very busy. I get so dam many letters from different people that I just write them one by one when time permits.

Art I am in training to be a cook. What in Hell do you think about that? Me a cook I guess it sounds impossible, but it isn't. Art when the Army says your going to be a cook, your a cook regardless of who the hell you are. Well I was selected to cook and by God here I am studying to be one. Do I pity the boys who are going to eat my food I cook. Ha. Ha.

I guess you've been awfully busy too. Well Art you got it easy, and you'll remember me telling you this, if you ever get in the Army. Oh its alright, but everything in such a dam hurry. Hell, you got to so much in so little time, that sometimes you think you'll go crazy. Have your fun now, little Buddy, because the Army don't approve of having too much fun. Write me again, and I'll answer you as soon as I can.

Your pal,
Pvt. Finke

Pvt. Robert Finke 35683820 US Army
1st P2 Co B 27th Med Tng Bn
Camp Grout, Illinois

May 10, 1943

Dear Art,
I got your letter and I got the other one right after I wrote to Due.
Boy! Saturday and Sunday night I really got around. I went to Coney Island, Empire State Building, Jersey City and even the Statue of Liberty. Due ought to know by now who that picture is of. I told him in that last letter. I saw the Hit Parade broadcast. Saturday night went to a dance at the Astor Hotel went to the Latin Quarter boy are they some places. Don't tell Rose she might get some funny ideas. All you have to do on Times Square to get a girl is look at them. The guys I was with were drunk as a monkey. We went to three dollar shows for fifty cents. Two girls gave me and one of the guys I know the tickets to the Hit Parade and two others gave us tickets to the dance.
Well! I'll try to write more next time but I didn't get in until 7:30 o'clock today (Monday) and had to go right to school. Tell Due to write and don't you forget. If you see Rose tell her I still love her and I'm not cheating on her believe it or not.
Good bye,
be good, watch the girls
Bob Bailer
Bob Bailer
Barracks BC Compt A
Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn, New York