Pvt. Matthew F. MCGUIRE
ANG 026-36-58179
Co. A, 1st BN TUSAMEDTC.
C/ASS #235
Ft. Sam Houston
San Antonio, Texas 78234
AIR MAIL
17 MAY, 1970
To: Mr. & Mrs . James P. McGuire
23 Lawndale street
Belmont MA 02178
Sunday.
Dear Mom + Dad,
I feel more relaxed now at the completion of 6 weeks of training. The hodgepodge of personalities and people, which I first encountered, has begun to assume some coherence. Although I have adjusted slowly, adaption now has taken on a positive note. My happiest hours are spent at either of the Service Clubs #1 or #2. I have two blotter calendars which list the days activities for the month at each place. I have begun to enjoy playing Bingo and Po-Kee-No quite a bit. It costs nothing to play, prizes are only candy bars, yet I enjoy it. Wednesday night I attended a group discussion. The topic was "Let it be me (openness with ourselves and others)." The moderator projected a theme based upon 3 books; The Transparent Self, Games People Play and another, the name of which I cannot remember. Several alert people attended the discussion. The chief conclusion drawn was that for an individual to enhance and expand his personality it is necessary for him to be aware of and attentive to the feedback being constantly provided by others around him. The talk was lively and a very pleasant break from the normal routine. Some excellent home baked cookies were provided for refreshments. Almost every night either delicious home baked cookies or cake is provided at one or
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the other Service Clubs. Someone must know about a secret door into some kindly grandmother's kitchen.
Thursday night at Service Club #1, there was a coffee house evening. Red checkered tablecloths were placed upon card tables. The entertainment was excellent. Seven singers were G.I.'s. They showed themselves to be accomplished amateur folk artists. Two singers were girls, both of them had entertained professionally, one was a music major at Univ. of Tex. The two women introduced themselves with a thick Texas twang. The surprise came when they sang in a full, rich, modulated, articulated voice. These two damsels would have convinced anyone who hesitated to believe that someone's speaking voice differed from their singing one. The folk music was carefree, simple, romantic, driving and patriotic. I enjoyed delicious brownies and cookies as I watched. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable evening.
This week (the 6th) is also referred to as shot week. In other words, I got to be a pin cushion this week. I gave and received two types of injections — subcutaneous and inter-
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syringe with ½ cc. of saline solution; it is administered at a 45° angle to the arm. The inter-dermal is the same as the sub-cutaneous except it is injected at a 90°. To give a shot you must carefully load the syringe, swab the area, then quickly stick the needle in (push in the solution) and rapidly remove it.
To say the least, people were nervous giving the injections. Some would stick the needle in immediately pulling it out again without administering the solution. Others couldn't get the needle all the way into the arm; they would bounce it off the skin a couple of times. The hands of many trainees shook so badly that they could barely hold the syringe. I remained fairly calm and "socked it to 'em." The classes were enjoyable since they produced a great amount of tension-relieving laughter. The discipline now is not as tight as it was in the first week. During the 4 hours of Command Time this week, instead of mowing grass we were left to sleep or read in the barracks (even though it was the middle of the day.) Other class members do not now jump down one's throat if you scuff the newly waxed floor. The mood is less "gung-ho"; spit + polish and more relaxed.
The weekend previous was very relaxing since I had Friday off. I have completed reading Tolkien's trilogy, having finished the 3rd book The Return of
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the King, here at Ft. Sam. From a buddy of mine I was able to get a copy of a book Judy was reading; John Barth's The End of the Road. Since I have finished it, Judy and I have been able to talk about it in our letters. Right now I am busy reading two books, by Thomas Hardy: The Mayor of Casterbridge and The Salzburg Connection by Helen MacInnes.
Last Sunday, Mother's Day, I called Judy twice. I called a second time simply because I was homesick. Loneliness is usually not an extremely difficult problem to cope with, yet at times it becomes almost overwhelming. Last week I just got really blue inside and had to call again. If there is any way I can pay for this phone call, or share in the phone bill, please inform me and I will be only too happy to instruct Judy to send you a money order. *** Well, that is about all that is happening here right now. I look forward to coming home, I will write later as to the details of when I will arrive. Take care; God Bless.
Love, Matt