Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1918 — GEORGE FATE WRITES OF HIS NEW WAR LIFE [ARTICLE]

GEORGE FATE WRITES OF HIS NEW WAR LIFE

To The Republican: Just a few lines to say hello and that I like the army fine. When "I left Crown Point thought I was going to Fort Thomas, Ky., but instead we went to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. There we went through an examination that took 8% hours and without any dinner. We entered the examining barracks in civilians clothes and just 8% hours later we came out of Another door a full fledged soldier ip a khaki uniform. I sure was glad when it was over. The shot did not bother me at all. There were over 1,596 men that passed the examination O. K. the same day I did and out of all those men only 36 fainted from the shot. We staid there one week and three days, then we were shipped to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, where I am now located. This is sure some climate. Not very hot in the day time and at night it is just cold enough that you will use every blanket you- can get. Thanks to the Red Cross, Ijhave a knitted sweater that I wear at night. If I didn’t have that I really believe I would freeze. Some of the boys that got two mattresses, sleep on one and put the other one over them. Yesterday we had what they call here,' “A regular dust storm.” I don’t believe I ever saw so much wind and dust in all my life. We had all the windows and doors closed and still the dust got into our barracks. Some people say that the dust is an inch thick. I won’t say that, but it was “almost.” I just came off of a 24 hour guard. I am sure glad that I am in the Medical Corps, for I don’t think that I coujd carry one of those rifles around on my skinny shoulders. Today I have two big red spots on my collar bones from carrying those rifles. We were to leave for Panama, but now it is understood that we are going to Italy. The captain told me while I was working in the clerk’s office that if we went to Italy we would be there only a short time and then we would <be put on the battle field as stretcher bearers. I hope I am put on the field instead of in the hospital as there 'will be more excitement on the field. Well.friends, I will close. Hoping this finds you as well as it finds me, I close. Your very truly, PVT. GEORGE FATE, Panama Ret. No. 2, Camp Merritt, New Jersey.