I tried to write a nice response to you, but you don't deserve one. Haven't you learned anything yet? Frankly, I'm disgusted. You have caused a pain in my shoulder that I thought was heart attack, but it was only the feeling of the greatness of this nation slipping down the drain.
I don't know where to begin with your letter. I guess I can start by saying NO. No, I will not send you money or chocolate. Can't you go through two months of your life without chocolate? What could you possibly need money for in basic training? I hope that you are in with a good crowd and not some idiots.
You know, when I was in the Army, if we were caught sleeping on guard duty, they would punch us awake, put us on KP for a week, and make us peel potatoes with a blunt knife and scrub pots and pans with a tiny rag.
My hope is that you will get squared away by the Drill Sergeants. I hoped that being there would make you want to improve yourself, but now I'm not so sure. At the very least, I hope to see that you've lost some weight.
The one thing I did do was get in touch with your recruiter. Yes, you are going to be a truck driver. He and I both laughed when we tried to imagine you as a Ranger. Truck drivers are vital to the success of the Army. MacArthur said, "Nine times out of ten, an army is destroyed because its supply lines have been severed." Take pride in your work, Paul. The trucks bring the lifeblood to the front. It's something to be proud of. So quit your complaining and drive on. Believe in yourself and what you are doing!
Respectfully yours,
Grandpa
Drill & Sanctimony Page 12