3rd
“Sanford’s First Record from Ft. Jackson”
I found this record a bunch of years ago for 10 cents at this used record/book store in DC that I never learned the name of. The only evidence that there was even something going on inside was a handwritten cardboard sign taped to the front door that said “Books”. It was tucked away in a corner at the end of a long row of stores next to a mall. The records were completely disorganized and literally just strewn about the floor, thousands of them, everywhere. It ruled!
I had heard about those little cardboard records that people used to be able to record themselves from back in the mid part of the century but I had never seen or heard one before so when I saw this I was really excited. Though I couldn’t even play it because it was a 78 and my turntable doesn’t play 78s so I had to manually spin the platter at a speed that sounded kinda right.
The record contains a guy at Fort Jackson military base recording a letter to his family during WWII. I always wondered what happened to this guy. I wonder who threw this record out or donated it? Could the guy still be alive? I’ve tried finding him but couldn’t. I went to the library and did research and contacted public records and the military. I can’t find him! How many Sanfords could there possibly have been stationed at Fort Jackson in April of 1943? Wouldn’t it be cool to give this record back to the dude’s family? Wouldn’t it be cool to hear your grampa’s voice from 70 years ago?
Transcript:
Side 1:
Hello Mum, and the rest of the folks. I bet ya dollars to donuts this is being played at, uh, Al’s machine right now so hello Al and [inaudible. “Doyle”? “Voyle”?], how are ya. This is Sandy the soldier boy, feeling pretty good, pretty chipper. Considering that I just got finished with [“a bout of KPs”?] that I got for my usual procrastination. Dad will enjoy this. Uh, hereafter I’ll see to it that I am on time for things I should be on time. I’ll learn yet, give me time.
What in blazes is happening to you folks that I haven’t been receiving so much mail? I hope I explained myself in a letter that I wrote to Blanche that in case anything should be wrong, for cryin’ out loud, please write, so as I don’t think that something horrible happened. I tried to put a call through but it takes so doggone long I didn’t have time to hang around and wait. I’d like to, uh, hear from you folks a bit more often, if you could, please.
And uh, oh yes, this may be kept along with the other record that I brought back, uh, Hungarian Rhapsody. Tell Al, if he still has it, to keep this record along side of it so’s that I could be remembered very, very well.
[Woman’s voice heard saying “It’s getting near the end.”] It’s getting near the end now so I’ll get ready to say my adieu until I can get to the other side of the record.
Side 2:
This is the second side [record skip] …starting in on this side please turn over and start at the beginning. This is Soldier Boy Sandy talking, to his folks I hope, and reminding you that you owe me a letter! We will proceed from there.
Uh, I received a letter the other day, as I know that I explained to you, from [inaudible] Gordon. I don’t know who in blazes he is. Uh, very nice letter. He’s in [inaudible] senator school in Fort Custer. And, uh, well, he’s given me a nice invitation.
Oh yes, we had a company dance last Thursday, I attended. And, uh, it was a very nice affair. And, uh, I didn’t do too much dancing. Uh, that is the agreement that Francis and I have between us that we will only attend USO affairs. He’s attending the one, [prominent rag time piano is starting to be audible] uh, uh, Temple [“air fare”?], or USO [“air fare”?] to attend [“one before”?], act as [“hostess”?] And uh, I think it’s only nice to [“make”? “meet”?] some [“folks”? “friends”?] who undoubtedly feels the way I do.
It’s getting near the end now so I might just as well sign off now. You can play this again if you ever wanna hear my voice. I’ve got a little bit of a cold so it sounds a little funny but it’s still the same old Sandy.
THIS IS SO FREAKING AWESOME, DANNY
