Getting out of our bunker was the main reward for filling sandbags. We needed more bags every day; FDC had the largest bunker in the battery hence the biggest sandbag need. FDC’s bunker was our work and living area, unlike other sub-units in the battery that only “lived” in theirs.

Dave Seim and Tom Guardia have a stack of empty bags, a pile of dirt and hours to fill. A 2-man team needed to get along because conversation was the best distraction from this mindless work. Switching jobs worked different muscles. The bag holder’s tasks involved moving full bags while sitting and holding the sandbag top open and the man operating the shovel moved sand while he stood.