Letter #4

Letter # 4 May 19, 1918 Training Detachment, Boulder, Colorado

Dearest Violet,
With love still burning in my heart for you always, I feel fine, but would feel better if you were here to see once in a while. For I must not complain, for I am in it now and there is no way out, so I must be contented with my lot though it is not my choice. All seems to be very happy and I am enjoying it. I think we were lucky in not going to another place, for we are all green and the officers seem to be very kind and patient with us, we have been drilling all the time since we arrived. My feet are not sore yet, but as soon as we get to studying, we will only have two hours per day, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. The rest of the time will be spent in the shops and class work. We have been classified, and we were given our choice, and I chose concrete and construction work for first, the second they gave me general mechanics. I do not know when we begin, but I think we will begin Monday, May 20, 1918.
Last night we were on parade downtown to the Y.M.C.A. They invited us down just to entertain us. We could either play pool, bowl, swim, or play the piano. George and I went in swimming, and I tell you, love, it was great. After our swim, we returned to the main entrance where the pool tables were and Clyde had spent his entire time playing pool. He seems to like that game better than sleep. We waited 45 minutes for him to finish his game, but he could not leave it, so we went up to our new home and prepared for bed. Violet, do not think that because I am thrown into that kind of company it is going to make any difference to me. At the Y.M.C.A. on the campus, we have a Victor piano, but most of the boys desire pool tables. It surely seems hard for me to mingle among such a crowd of fellows, but thank God I have one who seems to be more like me, which is George. He seems to be a very quiet boy. I feel sorry for him, for he seems to be at a loss, for he is one who did not care to mingle with other people much. It is hard for him to write and spell, but I told him if he had any words he wished spelled, I would try and help him if it were possible. At night he passes his watch and money over for me to keep during the night. He told me that he wished I could always remain with him. We were all compelled to attend a short service this morning. We sang “Pray and Praise” and the prayer was given by the President of the University. At the close of the prayer we all started “The Lord’s Prayer”, then we heard a splendid talk on the War, “Christ and the War” but he did not treat much on the religious side, but more of the worldly side. I’d say there was some difference in his talk and some I have heard from our own. There did not seem to be the spirit present as there usually is in our own church. There is not any L.D.S. church here, but we are going to hold a meeting this afternoon in one of the rooms of the university, they seem to treat us very good/well. So you see, we are to go to church once more. I wish I were back to my little Sunday School Class again, for they were sure good to me. Who has taken my class? Well, it is nearly mess time, so I must close. There was one thing yet I have never told you. We are only to stay 60 days, and then we are transferred to some other part of the country. Now Violet dear, do not think that this may mean France, and if it does, have hope and faith in God, for I feel I will return back to you again. Give my best wishes to the Folks and tell them I will write when I get settled.
With my Fondest Love and best wishes,
Henry here is one for you X




(FYI: from my research)
The Birth of Army ROTC at the University of Colorado:
In early 1918 the War Department established a Student Army Training Corps (SATC) at the University for students who had been drafted. A retired Army officer, Captain James A. Merritt was put in command by the University. This program allowed them to continue in school and simultaneously trained them in specialties such as automobile mechanics, radio and telegraphy operations, concrete construction, and general mechanics. As enlisted members they wore uniforms, lived in campus barracks, and were paid $30 per month. Some of the 452 SATC members were selected for commissioning. All of the first 38 to graduate in 1918 were deployed to Europe. After the end of World War I the SATC program was closed.