Well, here is that long promised card. I'll convert it into a letter.  Do you object?  We've been here three weeks and are still going strong, I think.  We've had lots of hard work and some entertainment, like a baseball game that was pitched partly by Bob Feller.  The Lakes won 9-5; pretty good game.  We also got to see Tommy Tucker and Horace Heidts' orchestras.

Oh, yes, I receive the "Town Crier," and it's good to receive the news even if I'm not in it.

We get liberty next week.  That's really going to be a good deal, and I don't mean maybe. There's not much to say only that we worked today and march tomorrow, or visa versa.  Tell everybody hello from me.  Wilber Johnson from Jewell is in our campany, so it's something to know an old friend and be around someone you knew from around your home town.  Have they converted Jewell into a part of Ellsworth yet, or is it still one of our suburbs?  You know since the tower is finished, people will be more able to find their way to and from the surrounding territories.  I'm due to go on guard duty now, so will close, for now.  Be sure and write; let me know how the office is doing, or is it?   Oh, yes, have you ever gotten even on the coffee deals with Dutch, sr.?

So long for now: a pal at the counter, and always.

1942 - Art Hanson
 

 
Art Hanson
November 7, 1942 - Art Hanson writes from Pearl Harbor

This will probably be a surprise to you after going so long without writing a thank you for sending all of us service boys the good old "Ellsworth News."  As soon as the mail arrives, the "News" is read from stem to stern by all the boys here and when they're done, I get to read it.  They all seem to enjoy everything in it as I guess most of them are from small towns and understand the way you write.

Has been quite a good while since I've been home now and probably wouldn't know it with such an outstanding landmark as a water tower.  When do you expect to have the first picture put on the front page of the "News" as I am looking foward to it if it's possible to get it all in one picture.

It's really swell to see how all of you folks back there are pitching in and getting things done and you can be sure we aren't going to let you down.  Have been very lucky in making my rates and have an office jog which involves long hours but eliminates most of the back aches but not the headaches.    Am a member of the N.C.O. club and it's sure a nice club.  We have the best of food and the Marines are a swell bunch of fellows to get along with, just a few slight arguments between us gobs and the bellhops keeps things interesting.

This place is getting better all the time we have a pretty nice swimming pool and movies every night with light lunch afterwards in the club.

It's time to sign off and all the boys here say hello and to keep sending the paper which is enjoyed by all.

This Navy is O.K.   We'll have to work hard, but it's all for a good cause.  Camp Hill has 13,000 men in it and more and more coming.  There are 6 other camps at this station, so you know there are lots of boys here, and they're all swell fellows.

Our camp has a beautiful setting.  We are completely surrounded by mountains and what I mean is MOUNTAINS.  Our trip out here was very interesting, some of the most beautiful scenery in the good old U.S.A.

We are in northwest Idaho, only a few miles from Washington and the Canadian line.  We, that is, we Iowa boys are going to Spokane on our liberty, that is, if we get one.  In the service one isn't always sure until one is given liberty, then not too sure.

We have been drilling awfully hard lately and I mean hard.  We are being pushed pretty hard. What they had to learn here before in 16 weeks, we have to try to learn in six or seven weeks It's really hard.

Well, it's 16:30 or time to hit our bunks.  I'll try and write more later.  I just wrote to Kuhly also; have you heard from him lately?  Well, try and keep Ellsworth going good.  Write sometime if you can.

This is station B-O-B, answering your long call from ELLSWORTH.

Sorry to be so long about it, but I have a hard time answering letters.  I receive the Ellsworth News very regular now and read and re-read it; it buoys a guy up.  Last January I received eighteen copies of The News.  I had moved so many times I was wondering if I ever was going to stop, but stop I did, and when the mail did arrive, I was loaded down and for a couple of days, the Army didn't get much work out of me.

Over here, one sees more queer things, for instance, when the native Arab rides a mule or donkey here, he sets himself on top of the back legs and hits his heels together under the donkey's tummy and yells Drrr and Grrr!   Such yelling and talking those Arabs use is beyond me.  Once in a while profane language is heard by us, and we can't tell when the Arabs do: and it's "Cheeses Us Off", "Browns Us Off", (an English expression used by the British meaning to us in America, "Disgusted".

I sure hope by the time your received this, the African campaign is over.  The boys here are sure doing a good job, and the folks at home can be proud of them and also should be glad they are Americans.  Another thing is they should be glad to live in such a wonderful country and that they have a roof over their heads and plenty to eat.

I know that some of the people back in the states don't realize there is a war going on, and they could dig down in their pockets and give more for the soldiers, because after all, the soldiers are all fighting to save humanity and bring peace, etc. and a good many people at home could do a lot more for the boys.

Sorry to have written that last paragraph, but some people had better "open their eyes" and quit grumbling and be content with what they have.

I hear that Lloyd S. and Jasper R. are over here and sure will try to look them up when I get the time. I'm sending you a piece about our Squadron from the Stars and Stripes.  Maybe you have read it, maybe not.

Gosh, I was so interested in writing I almost forgot about chow, so here goes again, but I'll have to cut it short as I must get back on the line.  I'll finish by saying I am proud and glad to have been reared in Ellsworth, and no matter where I go there is no place like home.