Letters To Home - October 19, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
October 19, 1951

The weather has started to turn quite a bit colder the past week. It will probably be a cold winter here.

You asked about border patrol. When we go out on border patrol we're about 5 miles from the Russian territory. We just drive out to a level spot along Highway 19 and set up the tents to stay for two weeks at a stretch. Somebody is supposed to be on the border at all times, so we are there two weeks out of every month. The other batteries share the remaining time. We really don't do much except drive around, "showing the flag" as the English say. We do get lots of rest, though. I enjoy the field; camp life is boring, with too much spit-and-polish.

We now have a photography shop in the attic. Our whole section is due to get our picture taken soon.

We get lots of chances to listed to the Voice Of America on the radio, plus lots of ball games, even the Dave Garroway Show, which is good.

Almost time for chow, so will close. I have guard duty this afternoon; we even do it out on the border, but it is more interesting here.