Camp Lewis
May 18th 1918

Dear Folks;

Received the letter from Florence a few days ago and also a letter from Milt to me here and one to Los Angeles. Am very glad to hear that you are al well. Have received several letters from Mother and Father stating that they are going to drive up to San Francisco.

Well I have received my second shot in the arm it did not make me sick. Will receive the third Tuesday. Have also been vaccinated twice and neither one took, therefore I mush be immune. After they get thru injecting this dope into us, we will feel more like doing something.

They certainly do ride the fellows around keep them going all the time. If one does not obey all orders from the superiors he is punished in some manner. Up to date, I have got off pretty easy. Yesterday I was in charge of quarters. This is a job where you stand around and tell the other fellow to get busy.

Was mustered into the service a few days ago or in other words accepted as a physically fit man for the U.S. Army. When I was examined by the lung doctor I told him that I had the ‘pluracy’ for a short time three years ago, so he reported me for an extra examination. I did this in order to take a look at the extra machine.

Everything worked out all right, and I got to look thru several fellows. He found my heart was a little transversally set, otherwise ok.

About 4% of the fellows in my company have been rejected for various reasons. T.B is on e thing that they absolutely kick them out for. These boys that were rejected were “dam” glad to get out believe me. Often read in the papers, where the boys were anxious to get into action in France. I haven’t heard much of that noise here in the camp since, I have been here. Of course there are a few who claim so, but the majority are wishing they would get kicked out. The longer you have been in, the more you feel like going over and getting it over with.

I asked for a transfer to the quarter masters department but I do not believe that I will get a transfer. Should have asked for a transfer in to the band. Might be able to change after I see that I cannot get into the Q.M department.

A man in the infantry of the army does not have anything. If he spends three years of his life there, when he gets out, he has practically thrown away these years.

Will write some more in a few days. My address has not changed.

With love to all,
Ira L. Kent.

Read More of Ira Kent's Letters.