part by such a publication -- by us and for us. And, as the first issue

emerged from the presses, a letter came to one of the Editors from a woman

A.A., a Second Lieutenant stationed in an out-of-the-way place. It was a cry

for help:

more trouble than I can handle. ... I've been recommended for promotion, but

... My work is more than satisfying, but off duty I'm a total loss. There

isn't a single soul here that speaks the same language. ... The Army is a

funny place. One is expected to drink, but not to get noisy or pass out or

do any of the things drunks

short time. Several of them were in the same boat as I, skating on thin ice,

but I don't know the outcome. Frankly, I'm scared. Has this problem been

discussed at meetings? If so, has anyone offered any constructive

suggestions? M.L."
A copy of The Grapevine went off by return mail. And now comes this:
"Dear Editors: The second copy of The Grapevine just arrived. Does that mean

I'm to get it every month? It's proving no end of a help to me. Thanks so

much for getting it started, anyhow. ... I guess there isn't much one can do

about the sort of spot that I'm in. There isn't anything wrong but

loneliness and boredom, and there's no way out of that, for now. ... Right

after the first copy of the paper arrived I decided to try to take it a

little easier (I'd forgotten all about 'Easy Does It'). ... I was working so

very hard that the hectic on-duty and the static off-duty hours didn't mix.

For some reason it doesn't seem as bad to be bored now. M.L.
P.S. I got that promotion I wrote you about."
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++++Message 1586. . . . . . . . . . . . Which city is this they are referring to in this passage?

From: alev101@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/8/2004 12:11:00 PM

large community. He had lived there but a few weeks

when he found that the place probably contained

more alcoholics per square mile than any city in the

country. This was only a few days ago at this writing.

(1939) the authorities were much concerned.

Ava
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From: Lash, William (Bill) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/9/2004 8:42:00 AM

From: alev101@aol.com [mailto:alev101@aol.com]

Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 5:11 PM

Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Which city is this they are referring to in this passage?

large community. He had lived there but a few weeks

when he found that the place probably contained

more alcoholics per square mile than any city in the

country. This was only a few days ago at this writing.

(1939) the authorities were much concerned.

Ava
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From: NMOlson@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/9/2004 3:47:00 AM

Grapevine from an A.A. who participated in the preparations for D-Day and

the actual invasion. We think his conclusions should he helpful to all

A.A.s:
When we sailed out of New York harbor bound for England I was riding a high

swell of confidence that I would be able to keep on the A.A. beam without

too much trouble. Several factors contributed to that comfortable feeling.

We had just completed a period of training that was pretty tough for a

40-year-old, chair-borne officer, and I

exhaustion.

officers traveling with me was a close friend who knew about A.A. and was

wholeheartedly in favor of my membership. My foot-locker contained an

elemental A.A. library: 'the' book, Screwtape Letters, Return to Religion,

Lost Weekend, and Christian Behavior, to which I planned to turn for

remindful reading. Finally, I was enroute to a C.O. who previously had been

informed that I was not drinking, thus relieving me of prospects of any

embarrassment, imagined or real, over the 'have-one-on-me' kind of

to anyone moving into a combat zone, I had few misgivings about anything and

particularly not about alcohol even though each hour took me farther from

24th Street and the revitalizing smaller meetings.

to appreciate the difficulties that are likely to confront an A.A. away from

other A.A.s unless the pattern of the new way of
thinking has been carved very deep. England had already been overrun by

Yanks and the British had decided, not without basis, that we liked to

drink, knew how to drink and had the money to pay for our drinks. So, in

their efforts to be hospitable, the Scotch, the Irish, the Welsh and the

English doled out whiskey, gin, rum, and mild bitters from their limited

stock. That was fine for non-alcoholic Yanks, and they went to no greater

excesses than are inevitable for any nationality away from restraints of

home and living under wartime pressure. For quite a time I went along all

right with the aid of the various tools and tricks A.A. had taught. I

re-read my books. Each morning I'd give a few minutes, whether in a flat in

London or a Nissen hut at one of our bases in the country, to the 24-hour

plan and A.A. principles in general. And I'd talk occasionally with my

A.A.-minded friend.
"Then, inspecting old churches and cathedrals and palaces on off-duty hours

in the country began to pall. Presently I realized that the pubs are among

the most interesting places in England. It is true that they offer an open

door to an intimate knowledge of the British, and I was anxious to get to

know the people as well as possible. Even after I began going to the pubs I

managed to sidestep trouble for a long time, a fact which I now make a point

of remembering because it supports a vital lesson that I hope I've learned

too thoroughly to forget, ever.

to France with a succession of hectic experiences on the ground. At least

they were hectic for me and I hit emotional extremes I never had before.

Yet, through it all I stayed on the beam. Although we naturally had to

travel too light for me to he carrying books, I had an A.A. card in a case

with my AGO identification card and I continued that brief contemplation in

the morning. Liquor was available here and there. Where isn't it? Anyway, an

alcoholic will find a bottle even on a Sahara if he puts his mind to it. But

I had no urge.
"Trouble did not develop until I began to get lazy about my way of thinking.

Sometimes I felt in too much of a hurry to re-read my poem or even go

through the premeditated thoughts that had proved so useful, I begun to slip

back into the old pattern. Incredible as it seems, one of the hoariest of

thoughts that bedevil an A.A. seeped into my mind. Perhaps things had been

going too well. Maybe I was cocky. Maybe it was the tension. There always

are plenty of excuses. Presently I was toying with the idea that I had

"progressed" to the point where I could handle a few. Why not try? Mild and

bitters were new drinks. Perhaps they wouldn't have the same effect as

liquor at home. The climate was different, too. From there, of course, it

was an easy step to nibbling. The fact that I did not get drunk the first

few times helped to grease the way right into the hands of Uncle Screwtape.

I even told my friend, who did not know all the wiles of an A.A. on the

loose, that I had found a new system for drinking. Due to restricted stocks,

the 'governor' of many an English pub would lead his customers from whiskey

to gin to rum and finally to bitters during an evening. This switching from

one kind of potion to another enabled me to avoid getting too much of any

one, I said. Amazing, isn't it?

particularly. After all, getting mildly drunk was no sin in itself and I

resorted to the old trick of going away by myself to have more after

reaching that point where I knew I was on the edge. After a few hangovers

with the old dreary miseries, I managed to pull up and do
some thinking. A hangover in the comparative peace of your own home is bad

enough. It's infinitely worse when punctuated by the noises and smells and

sights of war. I went back to morning contemplation augmented by mental

pauses during the day wherever I was -- bouncing in a jeep or lying in a

foxhole. At first I didn't put much meaning into what I was saying to

myself. But I was frightened by the picture of what I had sense enough to

know would be the inevitable result if I kept on in the old way. I knew that

in a combat zone they couldn't fool with drunks.

experiences in France, even that of the death of some men with whom I was

assigned; I returned to London for a period when the buzz-bombs were at the

worst, with terrifying and

comradeship; I sat around while other men were drinking whiskey -- I shared

all of those experiences safely because I was thinking right again.
"Contrasting to that fortunate outcome for me is the fact that months

previous while still in New York, within easy traveling distance of 24th

Street and within telephone reach of several good A.A. friends who were

ready to come to my aid any time -- and

are or what you're doing, but how you're thinking. To be sure, an A.A. is

more in danger the farther he is from other A.A.s. But separation is not

necessarily disastrous, nor proximity a guarantee of safety. T.D.Y."

From: NMOlson@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/10/2004 2:44:00 AM

then in Hawaii. Bob has recently returned from the Islands to attend

Officer's Candidate School in the United States. While he was in New York on

furlough, we asked him to contribute an article on how A.A. had helped him

over the rough spots in an Army
career of approximately two years. Emphasis should be placed, we think, on

the fact that Bob entered the Service after only four months as an A.A. He

had, however, so firm a grasp of the program that he has made an

uninterrupted progress in a completely new field of endeavor.

secretly scared stiff. I had been in A.A. only four months, and while I had

managed to stay 'dry,' it had been touch-and-go with me on a number of

occasions. When I'd had the jitters I'd always been able to stave off that

fatal first drink by getting in contact with one or more members of the

local group. This, combined with frequent

but what was I to do now? I knew I would have none of the physical contacts

with A.A. upon which I had been relying; and I knew too that without

something to fall back upon I would be a gone goose.

program --'prayer and meditation.' I knew nothing about prayer and very

little about meditation, but I reckoned it was a case of start learning or

else. It was very difficult for me at first (it still isn't easy), but by

attending chapel whenever I could, I finally came to believe that I was

discovering some of those spiritual values which in the past I had never

even known existed. Anyway it worked; and it kept me 'dry.' And certainly it

paid dividends from a more materialistic viewpoint -- I got my promotions

with reasonable regularity, and finally received an appointment to an

Officer's Candidate School, to which I am now on my way. Without A.A. I

might now be in line for some bars, but they certainly wouldn't be shoulder

bars."
A BEGINNER IN THE WACS

newcomer to A.A. The author of this letter, upon learning of A.A. through

her doctor, wanted help so badly that she moved to Philadelphia from her

home 125 miles distant and got a job so that she might attend meetings

regularly: "The fact that I have not written before is no indication that I

have forgotten you or any of the members of A.A. I think of you all quite

often, remembering the few short weeks I spent in your midst. With that
in mind I purposely chose today to write you. It may be just another day to

you, but it marks an anniversary for me. It was just three months ago to

date that I first entered your clubhouse in Philadelphia. Three months that

I have remained 'dry' and

three-month period seemed then. Until that time had expired I could not feel

as if I had accomplished anything, but now at least, my feet are on the

first rung of the ladder. But I've learned my lesson well. My fingers are

still crossed. I know I can never be sure.
"Little did I think then that I would be a member of the Woman's Army Corps

today. I led such a useless, wasteful life -- and now, though I am playing

only a very small part -- I am, at least, a useful citizen. Sometimes I have

to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. In the beginning I used to envy you

all so much. You seemed so
light-hearted and gay, so thoroughly happy and at peace with the world. I

used to ask myself, 'Will I ever be like that? Will my mind some day be free

from worry and care?' I doubted it then, for I was still confused, my brain

a tumult of conflicting emotions. The future loomed ahead as some hideous

nightmare. I was convinced that
nothing could ever make me enjoy life again. But you were all so kind, so

tolerant, so helpful, so willing to listen to my tale of woe without

censure, criticism or boredom, that gradually the cobwebs began to

disappear, the weight was lifting from my heart, and I was learning to smile

again. And then before I quite knew what had
happened, I suddenly realized that my decision in coming to your group had

not been in vain -- that I had at last found the contentment that I had been

so long in searching for. Nothing that I could ever do or say could

sufficiently show my gratitude. I regret very much that I was unable to do

anything about the 12th Step, but this war won't last forever and the A.A.s

will always be in existence, so perhaps, God willing, some time in the

future I will have the opportunity to put that into effect.
May God bless you all. K."
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++++Message 1590. . . . . . . . . . . . Grapevine, December ''44, Mail Call for All A.A.s in the Armed Forces

From: NMOlson@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/11/2004 2:28:00 AM

and has been particularly gratifying. The Grapevine sends to all members in

Service its Christmas greetings and the fervent wish that soon they may be

with us again in person as they so obviously are in spirit. If we have

helped one individual A.A., as
the following letter seems to indicate, we feel that our efforts have been

more than justified:

for it and the idea that brought it into being. After fourteen months in the

E.T.O. and not another A.A. in sight, the old beam has not burned too

brightly at times. Now with our own publication serving us as something of a

link with you people back there and a
friendly little get-together on paper, it is my belief that our thought

processes won't be so sluggish and we A.A.s will have a better chance of

taking up where we left off without passing through little Hell again. I

could appreciate with ease the experience of the officer in the October

issue. His arguments and alibis for a bit of
pub crawling might have been lifted in full from recent activities of my

own. As he said, a man can carry on alone and stay 'dry,' but it's not so

easy as when you had your group all going in the same direction. You have to

put more thought into your efforts or the first thing you know you'll be

draped over a bar with only its early closing hour and shortage in spirits

between you and a royal binge -- and that isn't just scuttle butt. So thanks

a million for Grapevine. It will be a lift, and may hit on a date when you

need it most. Maybe someday we can make it a weekly. Hugh P., SF

1/c--British Isles, October 20th"
[A weekly? Sailor, you don't know what you're asking!]
TENTING ON PELELIU ISLAND
"Received your letter a couple of days back and I'll try to give you a

little dope now. Our life is improving somewhat around here; when one stops

to consider that everything has to come in by ship over thousands of miles

of water, these guys certainly do a good job. We even have showers now in

our area but most of the men are
still living without tents. I managed to chisel a tent from a guy on about

D+5 so I have been comparatively well off. The only complaint I have is the

number of gents who cut themselves in as partners. Seven men sleeping and

living in one tent reminds me of a 1 and ½ room apartment with about ten

drunks sleeping overnight! Guess you probably get the picture. Personally, I

would much rather have a shower than a tent. You nearly go crazy being so

dirty for so many days with absolutely no facilities.
However, one manages, and lots of things that happen would be really very

humorous if things were not quite so serious. I feel fine and missed getting

the spell of malaria I rather expected. This is the hottest and wettest of

the Islands, as far us I know. The only saving grace is the wonderful

drainage, due to the coral formation. Under
cruise ship conditions, these Islands would be interesting to visit, but see

that you miss all D Days! They 'ain't' good! Thanks for your letters. It

brings me some closer to the group to hear about it and maybe someday I can

get back to pick up where I stopped. Remember me to everyone.

us further of his adventures, stating: "I have often thought how much better

I am prepared for all these mixups by having a little of the A.A. doctrine.

This is strictly a business where one is able to change some things but, in

the main, it is just a matter of standing whatever is passed out."
SERVICE PAPER INTERESTED IN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Italy, October 6, 1944
"Dear Marty: I have enclosed a clipping from our Service Paper (Stars &

Stripes, Mediterranean edition). I hope it's the first 'clipping service'

from this part of the world with regard to your newest endeavor in the field

of alcoholism. I know it won't be the last.

have thought constantly. I intend to spend as much of my time as I can

possibly give, along those same lines, as soon as I am returned to civilian

life. I intend to follow your 'lead' over here by contacting the Editor of

the Stars Si Stripes and offering myself as a bona fide alcoholic, a

three-star example of an ex-rummy, with the ultimate purpose of contacting

alcoholics in this sector who may have read the article and would like to do

something about it. I have some A.A. literature with me, and will be able to

tell them whom to contact for added information, and where to go when they

hit the
States. If, in this way, I could help one man, I would consider the effort a

success.
"I wish to extend the greatest possible good luck to your new educational

program. I know it will succeed and grow, and eventually prove that

alcoholism and alcoholics are what we believe they are, and that therefore

they should be given consideration

Stars & Stripes, European edition, reported the move to organize the

National Committee for Education on Alcoholism.]
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++++Message 1592. . . . . . . . . . . . Grapevine, January 1945, Mail Call for All A.A. s in the Armed Forces

From: NMOlson@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/12/2004 4:15:00 AM

1944. Six months later, in December, the Seamen took over the first A.A.