Month / January 2015

by schrackert

Dear Friend DeLores: January 29, 1943

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Dear DeLores:

Surprised to hear from me?!! Remember I told you I’d write. So tonight while I have the time I’ll make the first attempt. Well, first of all, I’ll tell you I received a letter from Joe last week and the guess what! It was dated last November. I didn’t write him yet because at present I haven’t his address and figure he’ll be home soon anyway. What do you suggest?!!

Things are going quite well with me so I guess I can’t complain. I received so many letters from Florence since I got back it almost doesn’t seem real. Hope this one isn’t like the last one. But then I think I know her better than that. Say, De, would it be possible for you and Joe to spend an evening he gets home? I was thinking that mother could invite Florence down there and you’d have a chance to meet her. How does that sound to you?! Joe has already met her years ago and I’m sure you’d enjoy her company. Please let me know what you think of the idea.

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Haven’t seen Dorothy since last week, due to the fact that I’m broke, but as soon as payday comes around I figure I’m taking her out again, you know she and I really understand each other now, and it’s really swell having her here. Well, guess I’ll have to close for now, but will write again. You do the same.

As ever,
Will

P.S. Say hello to Joe when you write.

W.S Lehner
U.S.S Ward
c/o Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

by schrackert

Dear Joe: January 22, 1943

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Hello darling,

I’ve been an awfully bad girl. I suppose you haven’t had any mail for 3 days. Its has only been to since I last wrote however. Tuesday mom and I wash the curtains and windows and Wednesday I went forward to the degree. I was elected treasurer and it was installation of officers.

Last night mom met me downtown from work and we went shopping for my birthday present mom. Need a very lovely bag. Good leather. Black but very plain. It wouldn’t be me if it weren’t plain. I also got my Easter suit. It is very beautiful. I changed the color from black to navy. Then we bought mom a pair of house shoes. They are her Christmas present from Dar. When I got home then we have a few things that just had to be done first so I put you off again. But not for long as I’m writing in the street cars send my letter will be in the mailbox same as ever.

I received your letter which brought me your picture. I can’t help saying they don’t do you justice, but I love them and showed them to all the gals at work yesterday. I also can’t approve of you ever taking a few beers, but I know I can trust your husband. You have to make and keep new friends and all and all. Sometimes you must meet them halfway. I got notice of an insured person for me but they, postal, would not leave it without someone to sign so mom is going to the post office for it tonight. I’ll have it for my birthday and I’m sure I’ll just love whatever it is.

We are at 7th Street so I must sign off. Will write tonight.

Love,
DeLores

xxxxxxxxx

God bless you.

by schrackert

Dear DeLores: January 20, 1943

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Dearest future wife,
You will have to accept another excuse from me for not writing last night. I’ll be frank as you are with me. I was feeling pretty bum from a sore throat, headache and I guess a dose of the stomach flu. I had to go to bed early as I couldn’t staying up. Today I stayed in the barracks and I believe I didn’t even look up. I’m beginning to feel better so don’t worry about me too much.

I received two letters from you today. One you wrote the 16th Saturday and the other the 17th Sunday. They are enough to make me get well in a hurry. They sure were nice. Say darling, I don’t like this monkey business that has gone on at work. That certainly isn’t very nice at all. If trouble still continues to brew I would politely go to the guard and tell him to keep his mouth shut or you would see to it that he would. I hope you find some ways to straighten it out. Now don’t scold me for worrying about it. You are my sweetheart like I’m yours. Well, write me on how it comes out.

That little letter that baby Jerry wrote was very cute. Give him a big hug and a kiss from me. You won’t get jealous will you? I’m very glad to hear that you and a girlfriend are going to celebrate your birthday. Your first party and I am unable to attend in person. But I shall be there in mind as well as thoughts. I hope you have a very nice time, darling. I am hoping and praying that we shall never be apart for any of your coming birthdays. Don’t be angry for the small presents I’m sending. They aren’t very much. But they contain all of my feelings toward you. That is that I love you more than anything in the world. I shall always be as true as gold to you as I know that’s exactly as you feel towards me. Love certainly is the greatest thing in the world. It certainly keeps me going when I feel down and blue. I sure hope I get my leave after boot camp. If it doesn’t come true I should have it shortly. I hope you have everything in order for that big day of ours.

You asked about that note your mother put in that letter? Well all she told me is that she hoped I could be present in mind at your party Saturday. That was all.

So you think Bud is in Africa? Well! You never know what they’ll do with you. They try and take complete control of you. I sure hope he is OK and that Addie and your mother aren’t too much on the blue side. It’s a very tough world but with God’s help everything will come out okay. I hope my friends aren’t sore at me for not writing. Between my colds and studying they are trying to kill me or something. Try and make them understand that I really haven’t forgotten them but that the circumstances are a little tough.

Say! Dear see how much Benimon wants for a stretchy watch band. Write me the price as one of my pals out here would like one. Boy! This place is sure odd for weather. It just finished snowing for 24 hours leaving about a foot on the ground. Now it is starting to turn cold so you can guess what I think about Farragut.

Well! Dear, I’m going to have to close for now. Keep your chin high and know I love and miss you. Here is a kiss and a hug for my wife to be.

Loads of love from your sailor husband to be,

Joe

by schrackert

Dear DeLores: January 18, 1943

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Dearest sweetheart,

How is my sweetheart tonight? I hope you are feeling fine. I’m feeling pretty good outside of a little sore throat. It isn’t very bad don’t you worry about it. I hope you are ok. In a short time I received your two letters. The one that you wrote the 11th and 13th and they were really wonderful. Your letters just seem to give me a lot of pep and give me the power to meet whatever comes up. Your girlfriend and “wife” a fellow could ever ask for.

Darling I love you such an awful lot. I hope that I’ll be able to get a leave soon so we can be man and wife. It doesn’t look so good just know. They have opened a big new Navy hospital up here and I will probably go to work in it right away. If I don’t get to leave right after training I will keep asking for one until they get tired of hearing me and give it. We must try and be as patient as possible as I know I’m bound to get one sooner or later and then I’ll make up for the time we have been apart.

We’ll see aboutyou arranging for that radio call. I want to be on a line where everybody can hear me. I hope I can talk to you real soon if I can only get a line through.

This week our company is in charge of the colors. I’m in charge of the thing. I go to regiment headquarters with five other men in the morning and we bring the colors to the pole. We then hoist them when colors is played. In the evening we take it down, fold it and put it away. It really is quite a stirring thing and holds quite a bit of trust. We have been warned that if the flag touches the ground you are liable for courts martial. Boy! We are trying our very best to carry out our military and mission in good order. They still are drilling us quite a bit. It should make good sailors out of us.

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Thar letter of V Mail you bought and added all those things too was very cute. I was very happy to hear that you really think of me all the time. Even when you are out eating. Of course that was our old hang out for food. I wish I had a steak right now.

Well! Dearest I guess I better close for tonight. My eyes are pretty tired. I love you very much, dearest. I hope and dream of you as my wife. Many kisses.

Your loving sailor husband,
Joe

by schrackert

Dear Brother-in-Law Joe: January 18, 1943

I have written before how my grandma and grandpa got married despite the fact that my grandma was Lutheran and my grandpa was Jewish. Grandpa’s mother, Esther, was really upset about the two of them being together. This letter was written by my great aunt Bernice, who was living with Esther during the war while her husband Ralph, my grandpa’s brother, was serving in the Army.

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Dear Joe,

Well here I am again reporting from the Ackert home on Payne Avenue. As for the weather it is terrible, in fact it is way below zero right now. Mother is laying on the davenport and I am catching up on my writing. I wrote a letter to Ralph and when I’m through writing to you I’m going to write to your aunt Sarah. They are in Arizona and seem to like it very much. She feels well now and says your uncle Louie doesn’t want to go back to Minnesota.

We haven’t heard from Ralph for over a month now so God knows where he is. We hope to get a letter soon.

Say, did you get the cookies your mother sent, and how did he like them. Sylvia is leaving for California Wednesday evening, as Julius has finally found a place to live. They have been at your aunt Linka’s and I guess the kids have been driving your aunt crazy.

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Say Joe I sure hope you can forget DeLores for your mother’s sake. She feels bad about you and her. I still think you should find yourself a Jewish girl or maybe you have one in mind already.  I know you must love DeLores but you are young yet and have lots of time to get married. After all there are lots of fish in the sea at least I have found that out for myself and I’m not sorry I married well. Love is a lot of baloney if you ask me, I mean a love for one certain person, the thought that you will never find anyone like him or her again. But as time goes on you soon find someone to take their place. Someone even better.

Ralph sends me money every month and I bought us a $50 bond and we now have a bank account started. So when he comes home we can start on our own.

Say Joe don’t think I am butting into your affairs, because I really am not. I know you are hurting your mother. Well goodbye for now and write soon.

With love,
Bernice

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by schrackert

Dear Dolores: January 20, 1943

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Dearest future wife,
You will have to accept another excuse from me for not writing last night. I’ll be frank as you are with me. I was feeling pretty bum from a sore throat, headache and I guess a dose of the stomach flu. I had to go to bed early as I couldn’t staying up. Today I stayed in the barracks and I believe I didn’t even look up. I’m beginning to feel better so don’t worry about me too much.

I received two letters from you today. One you wrote the 16th Saturday and the other the 17th Sunday. They are enough to make me get well in a hurry. They sure were nice. Say darling, I don’t like this monkey business that has gone on at work. That certainly isn’t very nice at all. If trouble still continues to brew I would politely go to the guard and tell him to keep his mouth shut or you would see to it that he would. I hope you find some ways to straighten it out. Now don’t scold me for worrying about it. You are my sweetheart like I’m yours. Well, write me on how it comes out.

That little letter that baby Jerry wrote was very cute. Give him a big hug and a kiss from me. You won’t get jealous will you? I’m very glad to hear that you and a girlfriend are going to celebrate your birthday. Your first party and I am unable to attend in person. But I shall be there in mind as well as thoughts. I hope you have a very nice time, darling. I am hoping and praying that we shall never be apart for any of your coming birthdays. Don’t be angry for the small presents I’m sending. They aren’t very much. But they contain all of my feelings toward you. That is that I love you more than anything in the world. I shall always be as true as gold to you as I know that’s exactly as you feel towards me. Love certainly is the greatest thing in the world. It certainly keeps me going when I feel down and blue. I sure hope I get my leave after boot camp. If it doesn’t come true I should have it shortly. I hope you have everything in order for that big day of ours.

You asked about that note your mother put in that letter? Well all she told me is that she hoped I could be present in mind at your party Saturday. That was all.

So you think Bud is in Africa? Well! You never know what they’ll do with you. They try and take complete control of you. I sure hope he is OK and that Addie and your mother aren’t too much on the blue side. It’s a very tough world but with God’s help everything will come out okay. I hope my friends aren’t sore at me for not writing. Between my colds and studying they are trying to kill me or something. Try and make them understand that I really haven’t forgotten them but that the circumstances are a little tough.

Say! Dear see how much Benimon wants for a stretchy watch band. Write me the price as one of my pals out here would like one. Boy! This place is sure odd for weather. It just finished snowing for 24 hours leaving about a foot on the ground. Now it is starting to turn cold so you can guess what I think about Farragut.

Well! Dear, I’m going to have to close for now. Keep your chin high and know I love and miss you. Here is a kiss and a hug for my wife to be.

Loads of love from your sailor husband to be,

Joe

by schrackert

Dear Joe: January 17, 1943

Hello sweetheart husband,

Well darling I will start writing early this Sunday morning. Mom has already done the washing and I have almost finished cleaning the house. I have had a very good time playing with baby Jerry. He is such a good natured baby. I don’t feel as mad as I did last night when I wrote. One night’s sleep gets one over many things. Even the blues. I will have to make lunch very soon.

Hello again, an afternoon has passed and I haven’t yet finished writing. Addie came over this afternoon and I went to sleep. We think Bud is in North Africa. At least that’s what we can gather from what we hear. Jerry is sitting on my lap.

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Hello Joe. This is baby Jerry. How are you? Well goodbye for this time. Jerry

That note is from baby Jerry’s own hand. Mom and I just made some homemade ice cream. I’m going to make some box soup and have ice cream for supper. I talked to Mrs. Lehner and she is going to write to you this afternoon. She heard from Will. He got back OK but what he is going into now isn’t so pleasant. The ship has been made into a Marine transport and I guess it’s will be Will’s job to get the Marines to shore and then try to get back to his ship. If he is lucky he will get back. All we can do is pray for him. You and all the thousands of boys.

Darling, I just had supper and have done dishes. I just can’t write today. My thoughts just run all together. Hope you can make a letter sense out of this mess. Darling, I do love you. That’s about all I can keep right in my mind. I pray for you and all the boys away from home and friends. I will always be true to our love and keep planning inside for the future. Our future. What is our future? Hard times, family, making new friends. Time will tell. As long as we love each other it will be complete. Even our love keeps us both going though thousands of miles are between us. It is something about being apart that only makes our love stronger and truer. I know that now.

I just washed my mom and my hair. I’ll try finishing this letter. I think I’ll have Iris, Lily, Bernice, Lucille, Addie and myself Saturday night to celebrate my 19th birthday. It’s right around again. Don’t try to send me anything. Just save it until we can use it together. That will be enough to make up for everything. Anyway, I plan I’m going to a show and then come home and Monday we will have a brunch. Addie will stay overnight as Iris, Bernice and I are going dancing Sunday night. To our plant’s party at Rose Hill. More fun I hope. It won’t be complete without my Joe. But will try. I know you will be thinking of me.

By the way, I forgot to put that dollar in that letter I said I did. We are all writing around here. Mom wants me to write Bud a few lines so I’ll have to cut it short. Good luck in your navel training. Be a success. I’m proud of you and I know I should be. I’ll always be proud of you. You will make me proud. Keep working and studying for us. I love you and you alone very dearly and always will.

Love,

Dolores, your future wife

P. S. See you soon and keep our love always in your heart. And growing. I do and will continue to love. Bye bye

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 16, 1943

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Hello Sweetheart Darling,

How is my darling this grand evening? I’m fine but a bit tired. Today it didn’t go so good at work. I don’t think I told you what happened about Christmastime. One day when it was cold in Dope we were over at Fabrics. At about 11:30 I went over to Dope to get my lunch and the guard met me at the door. He handed me a safety (you know what I mean) and told me it was a gift. I just glanced at it and handed it back and walked away. I said something to Alice (as she is our floor lady) and she spoke to the guard. Since that time he hasn’t talked to me or my pal Bernice.

Today they were talking to every group of girls but me and Bernice. I spoke to Millie about it and she said it was confidential. Then she called Alice over and she told me it was none of our business. That made me angry and I wouldn’t talk to her all day. Darling I’m going to ask for a transfer Monday and if I can’t get it I’ll quit and go to another plant. I don’t think I have to take insults like that and go and ask his forgiveness on top of it. I guess I have been so mad that it made me all worn out. Don’t worry about it because I can take care of myself. It will all come out in the wash. If only I could talk to you. It would make it all right. It always did. I’m trying to do it alone, but I’ll be happy when I can put part of the load on your shoulders. I miss them so very much. So much for the blue side of me.

I received your letter from Wednesday night. Did you pass inspection or is that why you couldn’t get Liberty? I suppose that is why you didn’t call. It was fate as I wouldn’t have been home anyway. I would like to talk to you very much. Maybe soon. Darling I love you and we will stick together through all of it. Love, when it is like ours, can last through a war.

I had a good test of it this week. A fellow out at work asked me every day this week to go out. Today I finally told him I had No Trespassing sign on. He said he would go home and get a pint and go to bed. Unhappy fellow. I really had no desire to go out with him. It is the first time it has been tested. I’m sure you can trust me to be true. Our love must be complete. I just want to wait for my one and only. I want him only as I know he wants me. I’ll always be your good little girl.

Baby Jerry is staying over tonight. I suppose he will sleep with me. Darlene wants me to make a list of my girlfriends. I can’t imagine why. I hope not a party for me. I got my ring back last night. It only cost me $0.75 and I paid $9 on Husch Bros. They are all taken care of. Paid in full. I’m trying to manage our money the best as I know how. I love you darling and best wishes in your Blue Manual Test. May God bless and keep you. I’ll try to write tomorrow.
Love,
Dolores

P.s. See my darling soon. I love him always. Please tell me what mom wrote you. She wouldn’t tell me.

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 15, 1943

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Dear Sweetheart,

I hope you will forgive me for not writing the last couple of days. I’m a bad girl, but I do love you in the bottom of my heart. I really want to make you happy and if in my letters I’m even a bit sour Betty just remembered we have our off days. Sometimes I’m like you are.

They certainly give you kids a workout. I bet by the time you get back you will really be able to handle me. Probably even out swim me. I’m wonderfully happy you could get to see some of the fellows from home.

I was worried for a minute after reading your Sunday evening letter, informing me of your plan to call here Thursday night. You see, I didn’t get home until 10:30 from downtown and then I got your letter. I just screamed to mom to see if you had called and I missed it. Please darling don’t take chances with something so important and expensive. At least send your letter Air Mail. I get those in at least three days, otherwise 4 or 5 days. Darling I would like to talk to you also but please don’t cut yourself short to call. I’ll send you 1 dollar tonight to help you out. By the way what happened but you didn’t call? Liberty cancelled. Were you a bad boy? I don’t really mean that. Did you get your picture taken? I hope.

Darling what would you like for Valentines Day besides me? Candy or maybe another box or just what would you appreciate for the day? I hope you want me, but of course you can’t have me, at least until you get home. Please, don’t take me wrong. Darling are you taking care of your cold like a nice boy? Take care of yourself for me. I love you and want to keep you in good health and spirits. While I’m not with you please take good care of yourself until I can do my job.

Now I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing. Last night I was shopping with Miller and Bernice. We had a good time. As good as I could have without you. Sweetheart I got my diamond back today. It is so beautiful. Anyone would love it. Even me. Sweetheart I love you and still plan the day. Darling I want you to call if you can but please don’t run yourself short and please let me know beforehand. I have lots of this to do this evening so I’ll have to cut it short to lay off until I get it. God bless and take care of yourself for me. I love you and I am a good girl even if I’m out with the girls. We have fun but it isn’t like when we are together. I have a different kind of fun when I’m with you. It’s just something you can’t explain in words isn’t it?.

Love,

DeLores (your future wife)

P.S. I’ll write a nice letter Saturday night. I’m staying home so I’ll be good. More later.

by schrackert

Dear Uncle Joe : January 7, 1943

Nothing beats a letter from a kid. Especially if that kid shares your birthday, is a decade older than your dad, and grew up scaring you and your cousins with his knuckle sandwich (“See this finger? See this thumb? See this fist? Better run!”). I thought I’d share a couple of letters written by my “Uncle” Norman (technically my dad’s cousin) and his brother and sister. If you’ve been following the letters, these are Hi and Alice’s kiddos. Stormin’ Norman is an Ackert institution of a man. We love him.

By the way, Annette and Norman both mention Dodo in their letters. I wonder if that’s a what they called my grandma. Seems like it could be a nickname for DeLores…

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Dear Joe,

I hope you like theNavy. I like school. Today we didn’t have anything to do. There is a girl that got hurt sledding down a hill. She is in the hospital and I guess that she is going to be back in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Bernhard

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Dear Uncle Joe,

How are you? I am fine. I like school. I like to work in school. I have fun in school. How do you like the Navy I am outside all the time. I have a pair of two runner skates. But I am going to get a pair of one runner skates. I hope you sent grandma and DoDo a letter every week or month. Oh boy I am having fun. My father and mother and us kids are feeling very good. But some of us have a cold.

Love,
Annette Ackert

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Dear Uncle Joe,

I am glad you liked the letter I sent you. Mother and Daddy got Bernhard and I a new pair of skies Monday. Annette is going to get a new pair of skis too.

Almost every morning it’s about one above or 5 or 10 below ZERO. Wednesday Bernard and I got to school just in time. In the morning we have reading, arithmetic, grammar, spelling, then it’s time to eat lunch. In the afternoon we have music, social science, afternoon reading, then drawing and then it’s time to go home. Its now 7:15 so I guess it’s time to sign off.

Love,
Norman David Ackert

P.S. I called Dodo tonight and found out how she was. She said she was fine. Daddy and mother are very fine. And Bernhard and Annette are just fine. Well I guess it’s about time to close it’s just 20 minutes after 7 o clock. Love Norman D.A.