| What was life like at Camp
Pickett for soldiers stationed here? Among the hot spots were the
movie theaters, PX facilities and the field house. Separate clubs
for officers, NCOs and lower-rank enlisted men were built where soldiers
could listen to music, drink a cold beer and enjoy some “fast food.”
Complete meals were served in the officers’ club, and many weekends found
local ladies coming to Pickett for dances. Quiet time could be spent
at the camp library, perhaps reading the latest copy of the post newspaper,
the Camp Pickett News. On Sunday, most of the 12 chapels
were filled with worshippers of all faiths.
Few passes outside of the
Blackstone area were issued to soldiers during World War II. Since
the town contained little entertainment to amuse large groups of young
men far from home, most soldiers remained on post for their entire stay.
For permanent party soldiers, weekend passes to Richmond, Virginia Beach,
and Washington, D.C. were granted regularly. No enlisted soldiers
were allowed to have personal automobiles due to gas rationing, so travel
was either by bus or train.
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