July 16, 1941

Hoping it is not Panama

It has been 82 years since my uncle sent this letter to the family. He had just completed flight school and expresses dismay over the fact that he might be sent to Panama. He was hoping it would be New Hampshire. He was in his late teens when he wrote this.

Transcription

July 16, 1941
Folkses,

	So I’ve finished school. And so what. I’m right back where I started from - - -  dodging work details. I’m getting to the point where I fail to see any humor in the situation and that is the danger point. Remember once I said I was going to Savannah and then to New Hampshire. Well, that’s as close as I’ll ever get to those places. According to the latest communiques --- and official, too,.. I’ve seen them in black and white - - - they’re trying to decide whether or not we’ve to be sent to Panama, which is without  a doubt the worst air base they could have chosen. But remember it’s not definite more than New Hampshire has ever been. My reaction to all of this in a word: Nutz

	Perhaps it is too soon for I-told-you-so’s but remember I said Anthony should join the army? And look at him now! It looks like the draftermath may produce desirable effects unless FDR goes thru with his plans to keep the yearlings in for more than a year. With every move Roosevelt makes my respect for him decrease[s].

	Reminder: Next week is Army Week on Fred Waring’s program and one program is to be dedicated to the Chanute [Field] so lend an ear - - - 

Adios Ed

Comments

Eventually my dad (Anthony) did join the army. We don’t know the exact date because his military personnel records and those of many other veterans were lost in a fire on July 12, 1973. I’ve only been able to guess from photos and letters where my dad served in the South Pacific. I’m assuming Ed’s records were also lost in the fire, but Ed was a little more forthcoming in relaying locations in his letters, so I know quite a bit more about his service than that of my dad,