Well I am one day late in
writing to you this week, but I
have a good reason for it. Yesterday
was my day off and I wasn't here
to do any writing. But then I
received you V mail letter of March
23 today so now I can answer
that. I received your letter of Mar.
6 last week. That is all I have
heard from you for the month
of March.
I received a nice long letter
from Pearl Meyers today. She
writes rather steady now. No I
hadn't received Harley's address
before. I was telling one of my
buddies that my brother was
in Camp Blanding Fla. Told him
the outfit number and his brother
is in the same outfit. So brothers
are together in the sates and over
here also.
I guess I won't know Blissfield
when I get back there again. It
seems as if all the business men
are getting tired of there location.
Well I am too, but nothing I can
do about mine.
I wish I had some of your
maple syrp for our hot cakes
we have for breakfast. We
have them three or four times
a week.
Since I have been over here
I am eating almost everything.
I even ate baked parsnips the
other night. So I guess the army
is doing me some good.
I don't suppose you have received
my pictures as yet, but will by
the time you get this letter. I saw
in the Metamora paper a picture
of Roy & Vic. I once heard he
(Roy) was out of the army, but I
guess it was just a rumor.
I received a letter from Jean
Dennis today. I guess she was
rather surprise to hear from me.
I guess I was rather lucky today.
I got six letters. So I will have
to get busy and answer a few of
them tonight.
Gee news is rather scarce
here tonight. I guess I have told
you just about all of it. So now
it is about time to close for
now.
I bet it does seem lonesome
with just three of you in that
big house. You have to rent out
some rooms.
Goodnight for now. Please
write soon and often.
Love Ralph.
The next letter will be posted on April 9th.
Background Information (and comments):
- Some searching for more information about Camp Blanding where Ralph's brother Harley was stationed resulted in the following links:
https://www.floridamemory.com/onlineclassroom/floridawwii/photos/ (I copied this information and photos)
Large military bases such as Camp Blanding, near Starke, attracted not only thousands of servicemen and their families, but also brought numerous workers to the state in search of employment. At its peak, during construction, Camp Blanding employed more than 22,000 civilian workers.
The pace of construction at sites like Camp Blanding created severe housing problems in nearby communities. While building barracks that later housed troops, workers slept in their cars, on the floors of local businesses and restaurants, and pitched tents in nearby forests. Cramped living conditions also led to food shortages and health concerns.
Construction workers lined up at Camp Blanding (ca. 1941)
Image number: RC07496
Children of construction workers near temporary housing at Camp Blanding (ca. 1941)
Image number: RC21499
Local merchants and other businesses that catered to workers and soldiers benefited economically from large military bases. However, some community members protested when the visitors overwhelmed local infrastructure, or engaged in undesirable activities.
When finished, Camp Blanding was so massive that the personnel housed there comprised the fourth largest city in Florida during World War II at 55,000 inhabitants. Also housed at the base were approximately 4,000 German prisoners of war (POWs).
Soldiers on street corner: Starke, Florida (ca. 1941)
Image number: RC02009
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