Coming home 1958

This weekend, my mother and I were going through my late father's letters home while he was in the Army.  He served from 1955 to 1958 and was stationed at Fort Knox and in Germany.  When he enlisted, I believe he was 18 years old and just out of high school. This particular letter, obviously copied from a form, was sent from Germany as he prepared to return home.  My attempts to transcribe will be somewhat hindered by the smeared ink, but I think I can get the gist of it.  I've also chosen to leave in misspellings and mistakes.  In the future, I plan to share more of his letters home (written in his own style) as they paint a picture of the man who so greatly influenced me and give insights into many of the things he considered important.  (Please note:  He got the year wrong on the first page.  It should be 1958, not 1955)

Notice of the return to the 

ZI (Zone of the Interior

U.S.A.) this 2nd day 

of June 1955.  

I send in solemn warning to:

"Friends and Neighbors,  Relatives and Acquaintances of Thomas Quarles.

        Very soon the undersigned will once again be in your midst, Dehydrated and demobilized, to take his place again as a citizen of the good old U.S.A.  With Freedom and Justice for all, engaged in life, Liberty, and the somewhat related pursuit of happiness.  In making your preparations to welcome him back Again into society, you must take into consideration the very rugged environment, which has been his home for the last three years, in other words, he must be handled with care. 

        Show no alarm if he prefers to squat on his haunches, instead of sitting on a comfortable chair.  Keep cool if he pours gravy on his dessert or mixes peaches with his potatoes.  Be tolerant when he takes his mattress off the bed and prefers to 

to sleep on the floor.  Don't let it shock you if he answers the phone with "Bonsior" instead of saying"Hello."  In a relatively short time he can and should be taught to speak speak English again.

       Never asked why the boys down the street were able to make rank faster and higher than he was, since this is liable to thow him into a violent fit; And do not make any remarks as to how nice the uniform of the Marines and Navy look.  He will go insane if he hears the word "Enlist" mentioned in his presence.  Above all never asked why the neighbor's son was stationed in the states for his full three years of service or make a comment about the number of people who did not serve at all in the community, as this will lead to serious events.

      For the first few months that he is home (until he is housebroken) be ever on the on the watch when he is in the 

compam company of women, especially those who are very beautiful.  After months of seeing gorgeous gals being wooed and loved the handsome men in the movies, he may think that he is the master of arts himsl himself.  His intentions are sincere, though dishonorable.  Keep in mind that beneath his tanned and rugged exterior beats a heart of gold, the only thing that he has left. Treat him with kindness, tolerance, and serve him appetizing food and you will be able to rehabilitate that which is now the hollow shell of a once proud civilian that you knew.

A Promising candidate for

the title of Civilian,

SP2 Thomas Quarles

continue on nes next page

P.S.    Send no more mail to Co 'A of the 23rd E.B. (A.D) A.P.O. 165 N.Y., N.Y. Get the civies out of the mothballs and fill the icebox with food because (if you haven't guessed by now) I'm on my way home!!!!!!

June 2nd, 58