When
the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Ima’s brother Mike was one
of the first to enlist. He was not unfamiliar with the
military, having worn a uniform and learned to drill as a boy at the Carlisle
School in Hillsboro, Texas. In fact, he had rather liked it. In May 1917 he
found himself drilling for real at Camp Funston, He wrote the first of many
letters to his sister, Ima, in Houston:
Wednesday [May, undated, 1917]
Dear Sis:
This camp thus far, is
the greatest experience I have ever had. We get up at 5:40 every morning and, from
that time on till six P.M., we are on the “hop.”. Our equipment is the same as
the regular army, and our duties are equally as severe. Everyone is very enthusiastic and, of
course, this adds to the interest. We have marching, lectures, music, swimming,
and many other things of interest. . . .
Only
a few minutes before called out.
With
love -
Mike.
From
spring 1917 until winter 1919, from training camp to the Western Front to the
postwar Army of Occupation, Mike Hogg wrote letters home.
