This is my 2nd letter home dated May 23, 1991. I don't remember who Cheryl is, or the gift I sent her, or Brian at Hair Plus, but I'm sure I got my hair cut there before. I'm not too sure about the Private and Recruit thing, I probably heard it from someone else who heard it wrong. During boot camp, EVERYBODY was called "Recruit".
Dear Mom, Dad, Bradley, etc.
Hi! I finally got my return address. It’s gonna be HELL here, but I have no hair and it’s COOL (ha ha)! How are things at home? I just got started and I’m doing well. I got up Tuesday morning at 4:30 to go to MEPS in Raleigh and I was allowed to go to bed at 7PM on Wednesday (‘cause we got up today at 3AM!) It’s hot! I just had to say that! My receiving drill instructor gave us 20 min to write a letter and send our return address. Guess what? 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalion (Bn) recruits are called Recruit, but 2nd recruits are called Private. That means I’m in the elite. There is so much formality here, it’s unbelievable. “Sir, Recruit Sutton requests permission to make a head call, Sir!” That translates to “I gotta go to the bathroom.” Weird, huh? Well 20 min almost up. I know it’s on the front, but here’s my return address again. Write it just the way you see it, got it?
Pvt. Sutton
2nd Bn F Co
MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905
(Pass it on to everybody and I’ll get time to write, eventually.)
Love and miss you,
Pvt. Sutton
Over ->
I had some time left, so I will write a little more. Pass on my address especially to Cheryl at Coharie Plaza Revco. It would really make my day to get a letter from her. Oh yeah, a bill from Matthew’s Drug will be coming for a gift I had delivered to Cheryl on Monday. I’ll pay you back later. Also, tell Brian at Hair Plus that my letters to them will start next month.
Love,
Pat
