Posted on Jul 15, 2015
LTC Stephen F.
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I was recently reminded me of the importance and significance of mail call especially in the days before email, cell phones and texting existed in the 1950's 1960's, 1970's and I think through the 1980's. Waiting with anticipation in formation as a young enlisted man in sun, snow, rain or wind for mail call. The weather was much less important than hearing the names of friends called out to get mail and then hearing my own name which was wonderful. Going back to the barracks to smell envelopes from girl friends, read the letters on my bunk.
Later as a cadet at West Point one of the duties of the freshman class known as plebes was to distribute the mail to the upper classmen. It was a very important function and seemed to release a sense of common humanity and a brief period of humane treatment.
After I was commissioned in 1980, my mail was delivered to me except when we were away from home station when we would have mail call or else wait until the operation was over and then mail would be distributed.
Images: mail call wingen 70th ID WWII; Korean War early afternoon mail call brought these Thunderbirds in the 279th Infantry; Mail call! Pfc Glen Zachery of the 19th Army Postal Unit brings a sack of mail to the
Edited 4 y ago
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Responses: 377
SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D
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When I was in , no such thing as text, e-mail or any other means of communication, except mail or a phone, if you can find one in a jungle! But to get a letter at mail call was like getting a Christmas present.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you my friend SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D for responding and making us aware that when you were in the Army there was "no such thing as text, e-mail or any other means of communication, except mail or a phone, if you can find one in a jungle."
I am glad to learn that getting a letter "was like getting a Christmas present" for you. I hope you received many such Christmas presents.
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SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D
SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D
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LTC Stephen F. I did Sir, and every letter, for a moment or two, removed my thoughts of death and destruction. Like a ray of sunshine in the otherwise fiery drab and dreary world of hell.
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MAJ Van Chase
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I remember formation for mail call. Formation for pay.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you my friend MAJ Van Chase for responding and making us aware that you remember mail call as well as formation for pay call. Did you have mail call formation after AIT?
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MAJ Van Chase
MAJ Van Chase
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LTC Stephen F. When I was stationed in Germany pay call was with mail call formation. Our pay checks came in the mail. I remember one time our company had soldiers AWOL that would turn themselves in the day before checks came. They would get there checks from the mail room the go AWOL again. 2nd Battalions13th Infantry. 8th Infantry Division. Coleman Barracks, Mannheim GE. 1974-1977.
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Cpl Louie Serrano
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yes
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you my friend Cpl Louie Serrano for responding and letting us know you remember mail call. Hopefully you never received any bad news at mail call.
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CPL Cadrew Strickland
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Best time of the day Especially if your girl sent a letter with perfume .
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LTC Stephen F.
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MSgt Morris Walsh
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I was not a combat enlistee but mail call was as important as eating.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you my friend MSgt Morris Walsh and making us aware that as a Jet Engine technician 'mail call was as important as eating.' Hopefully you never received any bad news in mail call.
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MSgt Morris Walsh
MSgt Morris Walsh
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Your comments make my heart soar like a HAWK. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU HAVE 4 FINGERS AND A THUMB !!!!!!!!!! M. WALSH
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SSgt Kelly D.
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Oh yes, basic training in San Antonio, 1983, and it was definitely the best time when you received a letter and the worst when you didn't.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you my friend SSgt Kelly D. for responding and making us aware that you well remember mail call in your basic training in San Antonio, 1983, and that it would be either the best or worst of times [apologies to Dickens A Tale of Two Cities]depending on whether or not you received any mail :-)
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PO3 Karen McNeal
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It was in PI, and Boy did I Love mail Call when my name was called. Which it was atleast 1 or twice a week but I tried Not to GLOAT.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you, my friend PO3 Karen McNeal for responding and making us aware that you not only loved mail call but you tried to not gloat when you received mail [twice a week or more] and others didn't :-)

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SFC Richard Williamson
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I remember this almost like it was yesterday, I think. I also remember reporting to a pay officer every payday, in dress uniform. We would have our morning formation, inspections of the barracks as well as in ranks inspection. This usually took until about noon at which time if we were "non-essential" personnel, we got to take the afternoon off for payday activities.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you, my friend SFC Richard Williamson for responding and sharing your memories of mail call as well as payday "activities."
By the way there is a parallel question about payday.

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SFC Richard Williamson
SFC Richard Williamson
4 y
I also remember being overseas and making an appointment with the MARS Station to place a call to the "States". Those were some hard calls to make. When we got the call, we'd start our conversations with "Hello, Over." "Hi, Mom. Over." The hard part was getting Mom and Dad to say "Over." Usually, very short conversations.
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SPC Gary Welch
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I remember in desert Storm we still had mail call
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CPL Dan Lemon
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I remember waiting for letters from my students while I was in Basic Training, MI training. It was great hearing from the kids during this time as Vietnam was still in the forefront of the military.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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Thank you CPL Dan Lemon for responding and letting us know that you "remember waiting for letters from my students while I was in Basic Training, MI training. It was great hearing from the kids during this time as Vietnam was still in the forefront of the military."
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LTC Retired
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LTC Stephen F. - It's good that the young people respond to this post.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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I concur with you my friend LTC (Join to see) In our day there were no cell phones, text messages, video messages, etc. Each generation seems to have unique to them means of communication :-)
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CPL Dan Lemon
CPL Dan Lemon
>1 y
This is unrelated to the discussion. However, one of the things that I was really upset about was when it came for me to get out, the hierarchy wouldn't give me either a WO or Officer Commission (OCS etc) I would have stayed in and probably become a lifer. I couldn't figure out the rationale behind the non decision especially after all the money spent on me for training (ie. Basic, CIC Military Intelligence, and DLIWC for 47 weeks Polish). Oh well, my life is been good so no complaints. BTW-I had a college degree when I entered the service.
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