Letters To Home - February 15, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
February 15, 1951

Quite hot this week; 85 yesterday, 80 today. Robins are here by the hundreds, and so are the mocking birds. Trees are beginning to bud.

Went out with the gun today and shot a few rounds. Next week or the week after, we'll be shooting at tanks, and when we do, I'll be shooting the gun. Elevated from #5 to #2 man for this shoot. We'll be firing direct fire this time; on direct fire we use two gunners, so the #5 man (yours truly) gets to pull the lanyard.

All kinds of rumors about leave, but nothing certain as yet. I can fly from Atanta to Pittsburgh for just $39.00, so maybe that will be the best way to go. If enough of us from the Pittsburgh area get our leaves at the same time, we may even charter a plane. All kinds of schemes floating around. Kirby, from Mercer, Brown, also from Mercer, and Woods from the 20th Battalion (155 howitzers) will be involved if it comes off.

Having a big parade Saturday at the main post.

Laffey, from basic at Dix, got to Benning last Monday, goes into jump school. He'll be here for three weeks, then back to Camp Campbell, Kentucky for advanced airbourne training.