Walter S. Morris

March 11, 1943

Chester Alex McKenzie, John Rudolph Quigley, Howard M. Salter of Bunnell and James Claud Arnold of Flagler Beach, together with WALTER S. MORRIS, transferee from Barren County, Kentucky, went to Blanding Tuesday.

All were accepted into service except Arnold who was rejected. Mr. Morris is married and has a six-months-old baby. He has taught music (band and glee) in Bunnell High for two terms. He also has been principal since the death of J. F. (Prof) Houck.

March 18, 1943

WALTER MORRIS, acting principal of the high school here, Howard Salter, Chester Alex McKenzie, and John Rudolph Quigley left here Tuesday for induction at Camp Blanding.

April 8, 1943

WALTER MORRIS, former band director of the high school here, has been transferred from Camp Blanding to Little Rock, Ark. He, with 36 others from Camp Robinson, have been selected to take tests for specialists rating. His wife and baby daughter are leaving here today for Mr. Morris's home in Kentucky.

April 29, 1943

Also a card from WALTER MORRIS, former bandmaster at Bunnell High. He is still at Little Rock. Said he wanted to write but "boy, do they work us here."

(That's all right, Walter, about the letter. We would be glad to get it, but we know you are on no vacation)

June 10, 1943

Nice long and newsy letters were received this week from two fellows we have not heard from previously - WALTER MORRIS and J. E. Maddox. Walters was bandmaster at Bunnell high until he was called into the army a few months ago. Maddox has not lived in Bunnell for a number of years although he registered here. Sounds funny but the best way we know how to identify him to some of you young fellows is to say that he was the husband of the former Miss Marie Moody.

First, however WALTER MORRIS says he is getting alone fine (at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Ark.) and he has gained 15 pounds since going into the outfit. Walter tells about a recent visit from his wife and daughter both of whom are how in New York, and many interesting items concerning his studies and other phases of his training,

He had an opportunity to go to officers training school but said "I want the band but It I don't get it I will go to officers school." He concluded by saying "give my kindest personal regards to all the people of Flagler County" and "that I may drop in on you sometime."

(Thanks, Walter for the letter, We were glad to get it and we know your friends are interested - many of them have read the letter also)

July 8, 1943

A letter from WALTER MORRIS out at Camp Robinson, Ark., saying he has completed his basic training but has no idea what happens now. Walter says the training has been tough but he survived and is feeling OK. He added "tell all my friends in Flagler county hello for me."

September 23, 1943

Also a letter this week from WALTER MORRIS, former band. master at the high school here. He is at Camp Fannin, Texas. Almost the first thing he said in the letter was to “tell all my wonderful friends in Flagler county hello for me.” He said also "Am still occupying a funny place in the army - will write later concerning myself. We are training A.S.T.P. men."

October 28, 1943

Mrs. Fuller and myself certainly were pleasantly surprised last Saturday morning. Pvt. WALTER MORRIS formerly bandmaster here with three of his buddies arrived at our home at four o’clock in the morning, after driving from Camp Fannin, Texas. The four are being transferred to Blanding.

Two of the fellows went on to Lakeland but Walter and T. Sgt. A. L. Johnston spent the weekend with us. Everybody here surely was glad to see Walter who is looking and feeling fine. Mrs. Morris and their daughter are at Walter's home, Glasgow. Ky., where Mrs. Morris is teaching.

November 4, 1943

Also received a card from Pvt. WALTER S. MORRIS who was recently transferred to from Camp Fannin, Texas to Camp Blanding.

November 18, 1943

A card from Pvt. WALTER MORRIS who is still at Camp Blanding, saying "I am hoping Laura and JoAnn (his wife and baby) will be down soon."

December 2, 1943

Pvt. WALTER S. MORRIS spent the weekend in Bunnell with Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Fuller. He expects Mrs. Morris and daughter to be down for Christmas from Kentucky.

December 16, 1943

SPECIAL SERVICE METHODIST CHURCH

Next Sunday services at the local Methodist Church will be marked by a special Christmas message in the morning while at the evening service a program will be given, including carols. Pvt. WALTER S. MORRIS, formerly bandmaster here but now stationed at Camp Blanding, will sing at both morning and evening services, R. A. Selby, pastor of the church, said today.

December 30, 1943

Cpl. WALTER MORRIS of Camp Blanding spent Christmas week-end here as a member of the Fuller household. (He even drew KP duty on Christmas night)

February 3, 1944

Personal to Cpl. WALTER MORRIS at Blanding: You ask, "What happened to the Printer's Devil." She had the flu and dreamed of being an angel, but is now back at work - - and still the Devil.

February 10, 1944

A letter this week from Cpl. WALTER MORRIS at Camp Blanding stated that he had applied for a furlough this month "and if I don't get it you are likely to see me visiting you while licking my wounds."

(Hope you get that furlough, Walter, but we shall be glad to see you anytime. And, incidentally, you, and Fuller, are advised I have sufficiently recovered to talk back to both of you. The Printer's Devil)

May 4, 1944

A letter from Cpl. WALTER MORRIS at Blanding, says he was disappointed because he couldn't get over to vote Tuesday. "Had it been any other week in the cycle, I would have been able to get two or three days off."

(Remember, Walter, we have a second primary on the 23rd, so make your plans ahead this time)

May 18, 1944

We got a letter this week from Cpl. WALTER MORRIS who was stationed at Camp Blanding saying:

"I had planned on visiting you last weekend but I found myself at home (Glasgow, Ky.) instead."

He is being transferred to Camp Van Dorn, Miss., and had several days to spend with his family at home. He also wanted to say "hello" to his friends in Bunnell.

June 8, 1944

First letter is from Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS, former bandmaster in the high school here. He informs us that he has landed in Camp Van Dorn, Miss. He was at Blanding for several months training infantrymen.

He said "At last I am here. Don't think I will like my work but probably won't be here long. Am doing the same thing as I did in the other camps. As you will note, I am in a cannon company - which means nothing, All men in this company are non-coms. Best to all and hope to receive the paper soon."

August 3, 1944

A letter this week from Cpl. WALTER MORRIS, formerly bandmaster in Bunnell high, and who is now stationed at Camp Van Darn, Miss, says:

"'Since last I wrote to you I have been expecting a change of address but I am still here. Now I really do expect a change of address soon and I will notify you of it as soon as I am able.

Have been working as a tactics instructor, which has not been too hard. The particular officers I have been working with are considerate and that makes it easier for all the non-coms. Yet for the past week and a half I have done nothing - just lying around. Our committee dissolved at that time and I am not working at the present.

Since arriving here I have been put in charge of the choir at the chapel in the regiment - at least I'm still working in music now. Also, since I have been here, I have lost some weight and have not felt good but, perhaps, I will be OK soon.

Hope all there are feeling fine. I send my best wishes to Susie, Duke, the Browns, the Millers, the Parkers and all our friends in Bunnell - far too many to name in this short letter."

(Ed aside: Thanks, Walter for the compliment on our editorials. We wish we were capable of. writing better ones)

October 5, 1944

A letter from Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS in Camp Van Darn, Miss., this week says:

"How are our friends in Bunnell, wish I could see them all. Give my regards to all the folks there.

I've been getting the paper regularly and enjoy every bit of it. Glad to see so many girls going to college from Bunnell.

Am off on another tangent - - have a new job. It is a desk job and I have a jeep to drive around. First I'm walking my head off doing hard work - as an instructor - and now I am pushing a typewriter carriage back and forth and riding in a jeep.

I am choir director and singing conductor of music here in the chapel. Am also working with the chaplains in their work - that is where I am pushing the typewriter. I always did want to be a "paragraph-trooper" anyway.

Am still carrying my rank as Cpl. and instructor but I suppose it will be changed to a Tech soon. I hope not because this way I can work in the field and in the office too."

(Well, Walter, we've always said it is a gift to be able to turn one's hand to anything. Apparently you can. But we hope you will see the end of the war soon and be back with us here in Bunnell)

January 11, 1945

Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS, former band instructor in Bunnell High, is now at Camp Swift, Texas. He transferred there from Van Darn, Miss. a couple of weeks ago. He is yet with an infantry company.

April 12, 1945

Cpl. WALTER MORRIS advises that he has changed his address from Camp Swift, Texas, to Camp Rucker, Alabama.

April 26, 1945

And from Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS, former bandmaster of Bunnell High, comes the following, which was lifted from a personal letter to us:

"Don't faint because you are receiving this from me. I have covered quite some territory since last writing you - in the air; on the land; but not on the sea.

Spent three months in Texas (trying to teach them there were 47 other States that made up the USA), from which I took a flying trip up through the Central United States and then to Kentucky. Made a short visit there and went back to Texas for a few days, then back across the Good Ole Mississippi to Alabama (at Camp Rucker). I'm not far from Florida because I can smell it in the air.

Am back in IRTC again-doing the same job, 'paragraph trooper.' Wonderful job; there should be more of them in the Army. However, I can see the lights of Tokyo from here - if you know what I mean.

Pretty soon I will have nine years service to my credit. I still can't figure out how I had time to go to school, teach, and start on a family.

Do hope you all are well and OK. I receive the paper regularly and appreciate it very much."

(You have been jumping around, Walter. We wish you could jump down here again. Not only would we be glad to see you but the whole town, too. Surely hope you are out before you have in 10 years in the outfit. In the meantime, take it easy if you can).

August 23, 1945

We had a letter this week from Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS who is stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Walter is now a "proud papa" and expects to get a furlough soon and go see his young son.

In commenting on our editorial of last week, "The War Ends" Walter has this to say:

"God is no respecter of persons. When divine laws are broken, men suffer. Boys died on battlefields of the world who never hated anyone or plotted against anyone. They suffered because of the deeds of others. Mankind is bound together in one human family. Our decisions and our deeds are far-reaching in their influence. We cannot save ourselves from suffering by working merely for our own sake. Our security depends upon teaching ourselves and the world that the only way to live is together and in peace."

October 11, 1945

Here's from Cpl. WALTER S. MORRIS, former band instructor in high school here:

“Dear Fullers:

Just a short note telling you where I am. Here is my new address: Reception Center, Section S., Fort Benning, Georgia.

Have been here almost a week and a half now. I am working as a counselor in the separation point. We are turning out about 150 to 200 men a day from the army. I really hope my time comes up shortly.

My job is to explain the converting of insurance and the G. I. Bill of Rights to men leaving the army. We also have to advise them as to jobs, schooling and other matters which they might want to discuss themselves.

It is a most interesting job. I am getting a good picture of the returning serviceman. It is all personnel work and I work only with individuals - not at all like the mass army life we have all been used to for so long. We are working long hours and seven days a week with from a half day to a full day off at times during the week. However most of us are not complaining about our job and we feel that for once we are doing an important piece of work in the army.

Will write again when I have time.”

January 10, 1946

TWO WELL KNOWN MEN DISCHARGED

Two men who have been serving in the Army have been discharged and are now beginning civilian life all over again. They are former Corporals Dudley Benson and WALTER S. MORRIS.

Mr. Benson, who is a graduate of Bunnell and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Florida, was in the ETO a number of months. He is taking up residence at Gainesville and will engage in accounting work.

Mr. Morris was hand master at Bunnell high school when he went into the army in March 1943. He has served at various camps in the United States and always in a teaching position.

He and Mrs. Morris and their two children are now living in Nashville, Tenn., where Mr. Morris has entered Peabody for his Master's degree. He will have school administration as a major and music as a minor.