"A Cook's Experiences in World War II" Topic

"In 1941 when I became 21 I had to register for the draft. In October I received my classification 1A, and attached to it were my induction papers. On October 9th I had to report to Anniston, because we were among the first to be drafted and were also the largest number. The city officials had a big banquet for us. It was held in the Alabama Power Company building which now houses Kemp Office Supplies [now out of businesses]. Dad couldn't come with me so Lucille went instead. After lunch they loaded us on buses and we went on to Ft. McClellan. We spent one night there, and on October 10, 1941, I was sworn into the army. We boarded a train on post and went back through Anniston. Little did I know it would be two years before I would see my family again. We went to Ft. McPherson, Georgia. We were there several weeks and while there I signed up for regular army for three years overseas duty. My choice was Puerto Rico. We left Ft. McPherson and went to Ft. Eustace, Virginia, for basic training. We were there on the fateful day of December 7. We were at war. I think that we in the military fared better than civilians at this time. We were more or less established by now. However, we didn't think they would honor the papers we signed asking for Puerto Rico. We got further into our training. I was in coast artillery and didn't like the big guns. I had a chance to get into cooks and bakers school, and took advantage of it.
You remember I told you I worked at the mill stand among other duties making hamburgers? Well, the army asked if any of us had experience in cooking. I of course stretched the truth a little and said I was a short-order cook once. They accepted me and, believe it or not, I became a pretty good cook…"
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