June 30, 1944

Lowry's
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio
Hi.
Well we got here at about 11:15 and ate right away. We came to this place and have been here all afternoon. I met a kid from my co. right away on the train. I have no address yet. I got a seat at Connellsville, PA. I sat through from Pitt. This is a big place. I am going out and look around now.
So Long
Love,
''Chas''
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The letter explained: This is Chuck's first letter home that is in the collection. Based on the next several letters he writes, we know that he has just arrived at Fort Meade, Maryland, north of Washington, D.C. and south of Baltimore. He has completed basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida and has perhaps just left Youngstown after being home on a short leave. The shortened word 'co.' refers to the company or unit to which Chuck has been assigned. In this case, it may refer to Company A, 29th Battalion, 8th Regiment (his unit at Fort Meade) or it could be the training company that he left at Camp Blanding.

As appeared in the newspaper (unknown paper or date), his address at Camp Blanding was:

Pvt. Charles J. Lowry 35925389
Co B 210 Bat 65 Reg IRTC
Camp Blanding, Fla.

July 1, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry 35925389
Co. A 29 BN 8 Regt
4 Plat. AGFRD#1
Fort George Meade, MD

Lowry's
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

It is 9:30. I just came back from the P.X. I got a Yank and had some ice cream and pop. I got my train money back today. $33.00 but no payday. I got assigned to a co. now so you can write. It is not bad here. Not too much to eat but we don't go hungry. I still haven't starting eating a lot. I got up at 5 this and went back to bed at 7 and slept till 10. I guess we'll get to at least Baltimore or Wash. over the weekend. I hope I get out at 12 Sat. and I'll come home. We don't know anything about leaving here. We are getting 2 work uniforms, 2 winter uniforms, and 1 summer uniform. We'll be here till next week at least. I still have not had a chance to look up Vaughn. Well I have to hunt a mailbox now.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

-----
The letter explained: While the first letter didn't include a return address, Chuck now includes his assignment, being 4th Platoon, Company A, 29th Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. Fort Meade was a very active post during World War II, hosting basic training activities and later, acting as a prisoner of war camp for German POW's. AGFRD #1 stands for Army Ground Forces Replacement Depot #1 (located at Fort Meade). This is where troops were provided uniforms, inoculated, would have had final weapons testing, and were administratively processed before being sent overseas.

When Chuck's reference to Yank refers to Yank, the Army Weekly, which was weekly magazine published by the United States military during World War II. It was similar to Stars and Stripes and was known for including a "pin-up" girl in each issue.

If you are interested in seeing more about Army uniforms during World War II, click here.

July 4, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry 35925389
Co. A 29 BN 8 Regt
A.G.F.R.D. #1
Fort George G. Meade, MD

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lowry
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

Boy the airplane ride was swell. You don't even know you are in a plane. It doesn't make much noise either. We got to Wash. at about 10:30. I called Jean Cleary. and then went out and saw her and then went back to town and I got the train at 1:30. I got to bed about 2:45. I got my shipping orders today. I don't know when I'll go though. Boy I was all set to get the 8:30 B+O out of Wash. tonite and get home at 5 in the morning and bee off till 5 the next morning but not we have to have a clothing inspection at 8 in the morning. After that we can to town I think Ill go to Wash. I could go to Baltimore but I've been to Wash and I know a little about it and I would like to look around. I just came from seeing the show ''Back Home in Indiana''. The Sgt. got in at 5:45 this morning. Boy things look like dots from the plane. Going over town through I could pick out anything. We passed our house before I knew we were over Yo-town. Everone goes to P.O.E. from here now and if he is to be kept in the states he goes from P.O.E.. I guess it is N.Y. Boy I get around. I'll call tomorrow if I can. No work around here.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 5, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry
Co. A 29 BN 8 Regt
Fort Meade, MD

Lowry's
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

It is 11:30. I just came from the bond show. I don't know how many hundred thousands were. I get a train at 130 and am K of C (USO) now. It is nice. The show was buy the monument. Just a line..

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 6, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry 35925389
Co. A 29 BN 8 Regt
Fort Meade, MD

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Lowry
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

Well, today we just had our clothes inspected 2 more times and then packed them and put them away. It seems that we will leave about Fri. As yet they have not been able to fit me with a gas mask so maybe I will not ship when I should. We had ice cream and watermelon for supprt. After supper we got paid and while I was in the line Paul Leattau of ''41'' of Urs. came up to me. He saw it in the paper and he looked me up. He has been here a mo. now and I didn't know how close he was to home. If I'm still here we'll be home. I got up at 7:15 this morn. and missed breakfast which was at 6. I had eaten at 1 in the morning before I got the train. I got to bed at 2:20. Left Wash at 1:30. It is about 10:30 now so I guess I'll write tomorrow.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 6, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry
Co. A 29 BN 8 Rgt
Fort Meade, MD

Lowry's
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

Well, I am about sure we go out Fri or Sat. morn. early. We are all packed. I am sending some stuff home. I couldn't get any shoes for you your size. The weather is warm. It seems we will not go to England. I was at a dance at the field house tonite. Nothing going on so I write tomorrow.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 7, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry
Co A 29 BN 8 Regt
Fort Meade, MD.

Lowry
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Hi.

It is 7:45. 14 guys left already, I guess we'll leave this morning. I got my A.P.O. no. My new address is
Pvt. C. J. L. 35925389
A.P.O. 15380
Co. L 2 Pl.
% Postmaster
N.Y. N.Y.

We are only a couple of hrs from N.Y. We are all ready to go now. I'll write as so as I get to N.Y.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 8, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry 35925389
Casual Co. L Inf
A.P.O. 15380
%Postmaster N.Y.

Lowry's
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Passed by Charles E. Wilson, 2nd Lt. Inf.

Hi.

How are you all doing these days? How is Charles doing too. From now on all of our letters and stuff will be sensored. I think I sent you my new address. I sent home my civilian shoes with Paul Leattau. If you have received them yet and you know my address send them and my camera to me. I can take the camera but hurry.

How are the Leetonia people coming along. As you all can see by my letters I do not use the paragraph. It is easy to read I'll bet.

Today all I did was read and fooled around with clothes. I am going to see Jayne Cleary in New York I think.

So Long
Love,
''Chas''

July 9, 1944

Pvt. C. Lowry 35925389
Casual Co. L
A.P.O. 15380
%P.M. N.Y.C.

C. E. Lowry
1439 Wick Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Passed by Charles E Wilson, 2nd Lt. Inf.

Hi.

I am now at the S.C. It is about the same as the ones at Blanding. Here they have ping-pong and pool. I haven't been around since I talked to you so I don't know if the tel. came or not. I was on K.P. today. I had an easy job. The meals around here aren't too bad but they were better at the other camps except Hayes. I went to mass at 9 this morning. Boy it was packed out the back door. Since letters are cencored we only write on one side of the sheet. The way I write I don't see how anyone can read it. I think it is about time I started writing to someone besides you so

So Long
Love,
''Chas''