Dec. 23, 1943
Dear Mom, Dad & Family,
We got here at 8:30 p.m. (2300 navy time) Tuesday (21st). We really had a good time too. There were 21 others besides myself & we had a special car, a pullman at that. We had good beds, a special porter, who made the complete trip with us, & believe it or not we really had good meals (all free).We were taken out to camp in a bus, and were piled up in a heck of a place with about 90 more guys. Today we had one heck of an exp and 2 shots. When I say 2 shots I don't mean one at a time. I walked into a room where 3 doctors stood. One gave me two swipes with a cloth and the two other guys made a run at me from both sides with a big needle. I thought about ducking and letting them run together but I didn't. My arms are so sore now I can hardly move them.
We were given our suits today & do I look ducky in mine. We were sent into a barber shop today where there was about 6 chairs After the seats were full, the dern guys would run a race to see who could get done the quickest. I saw about 20 get their hair cut & the longest it took for one man was 40 sec..the reason it took him so long was because he dropped his comb. Boy they really cut it short. My hair is about 1/4 inch long.
Our camp is just 45 miles from Spokane Washington. It is snowing like heck man & is really cold. The elevation here is better than 5000 ft. I think after the first 21 days I will get to really like the place. We were issued two suits of blues, two suits of whites, two pairs of shoes, a pair of spats, two pairs of long handlers, a heavy over coat, four hats, two pairs of summer shorts, about 6 hankerchiefs, 5 pairs of socks a pair of work pants & shirt.
Well folks, that covers about everything for now so good bye.
My Address:
A.S. Jack M. Cline
Company 20-41-43
Camp Scott U.S.N.T.S.
Farragut, Idaho