Rockford, Ill, May 14, 1942
Pvt Don W. Rich
Co. A 29th BR 3rd Pl
Camp Grant, Ill
Hello Kids:
How is the farming coming along. Is your garden producing yet. Leo Everst add. Is co. A 29 BR ist Pl. He is just a couple of bldgs from me.
So Long,
Don
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Miller
232 Colrain St., S.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
I'm not certain if our military got franking privileges in 1942, but I do like Private Miller scrawling the word "free" where the stamp goes. That's just the sort of Moxie Uncle Sam needs, Private! In all serious, I am not familiar with World War II era Army structure, so I ask any readers to see if Private Miller's address contains more than just where his mail was delivered.
Donald and Irene must have moved in 1942, since since their Floridian winter resident friend Vicki was sending her correspondence to a different address. Unfortunately, again this residence is home to more empty lots and redevelopment. The Miller's new address is now the home of a branch of Cofessco Fire Protection Systems, which has only been in business for the last 41 years. There are plenty of houses in the 100 block of Colrain Street, which leads one to believe that the warehouse development in the 200 block happened sometime after 1942.
Camp Grant is also a place no more as well. Used as an induction center for draftees during both World Wars and the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, most of the Camp was razed to become the Chicago Rockford Airport. There is a museum (listing only-no website), a great website with photos of the camp during World War One and a restaurant called "The Command Post" in one of the few remaining buildings.
It is also very probable that the Millers, like an estimated 20 million other patriotic Americans had planted a Victory Garden.
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