Letters Exhibit

Joe Graser, a Technical Sergeant Fighting in World War II, Advises His Younger Brother on What to Expect as He Prepares for Basic Training

Personal commentary: As I mentioned earlier, these letters and e-mails contain invaluable insights into the human condition that transcend the subject of war. After hearing that his younger brother, Don, was heading out to basic training, TSG Joe Graser wrote him words of advice about life in the Army. Joe’s letter to his kid brother offered lessons not only on how to be a first-rate soldier, but a man of integrity.

Dear Don:

I received word today that you took your physical, so if you are accepted by the Army, I imagine you will have been inducted by the time you get this. At any rate, I will presume that you are in or about to go. I have wanted to tell you a few things about Army life….
Always remember, what ever your job may be, it is just as important in winning the war, as that of a General.

Something that keeps your mind off the tendency it will have toward complaining, & sweating out the things you see, is always keeping yourself in shape, & always looking ahead for methods of improving & making easy, the few hours you have to yourself. It is a true fact, that if you let yourself & equipment go down, your morale also goes with it….

You will do your share of griping about the lousy conditions of this & that, but in the long run, griping will just get you down & makes you feel worse than it ever did.
As Mom always said you are judged by the company you keep, so don’t be to hasty at first with whom you run around with, wait a while then pick out a buddy or so….

[Y]ou will see it’s very easy to give your religion up, while in the service, since no one is there to remind you about it, but always live the way you were brought up, over two years ago when I came in Mom told me, to be careful & never to disgrace my name, that is something that has always been on my mind, in whatever I do, & surely has been a guidance to me.

Be at ease with everything, I know you will, never lose sight of the fact, no matter how bad things will get & they will, don’t think they won’t, that it is an honor to salute, stand retreat etc….

I wish you a lot of luck Don, I regret deeply the necessity of you having to leave home & do this but it makes me mighty proud to have you as a partner on this team, & its not so bad in the long run, believe me.

Good Luck
Joe

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