Claude Lamar Mercer

June 21, 1945

LAMAR MERCER of the U. S. Navy is now receiving his boot training at Bainbridge, Md., he advises his parents here.

July 5, 1945

A letter from LAMAR MERCER who is receiving his "boot training" at Bainbridge, Md. Lamar thanks us for the Tribune and says:

"The Army may teach you how to march, but I know by now that the Navy teaches you how to swab decks and eat beans. I use to think that they couldn't eat as many beans as sailors talked about, but they do. About the only thing I cannot seem to get used too, is eating beans for breakfast. We have beans about 15 meals out of the week. If you like beans of all types, shapes, just join the Navy because they have plenty of them."

August 23, 1945

LAMAR MERCER who has been taking his boot training in the Navy at Bainbridge, Md., is here on a furlough.

September 13, 1945

S 2/c. LAMAR MERCER is now taking a six-week school in stores keeping at Camp Peary, Va.

October 4, 1945

On the other hand a couple of young fellows have just left here for boot training at Camp Peary, Va. They are Thomas Gresham and Bobby French. Another sailor from here did his boot there and is now in school at that place. He is LAMAR MERCER. In addition, Billy Newsome leaves this week for boot training with the Navy.

November 1, 1945

Two Mercer boys left last week to return to camp. LAMAR back to Camp Peary Va., with the Navy and M/Sgt. Zeno to Camp Clairborn, La.