The last letter introduced a friend of my grandparent’s… Will Lehner. He’s come up a few times now, and in this letter my grandma sends my grandpa a few pictures. Who is this guy they speak so fondly of but isn’t family? I asked my dad, and it turns out Will is a close friend of both of theirs from high school. My dad thinks he remembers Will being my grandma’s dance partner. He stayed very close friends with my grandparents throughout the years and they think he even came to my grandma’s funeral two years ago.

Will is a pretty remarkable fellow. He enlisted in the Navy in 1938. In the early morning on December 7, 1941, Will was on the gun crew of the USS Ward patrolling the entrance to Pearl Harbor. He fired the very first shots of World War II, intercepting and sinking a 2 man Japanese submarine at 6:40 am… an hour and 20 minutes before the actual attack on Pearl Harbor. Wow. That’s all I have to say about that.

Hello Darling Sweetheart,

Just got home and read your two wonderful letters. I also got your menu and it is certainly beautiful. Mom says I should have it framed for us. What do you think? I sort of agree with her.

Darling please don’t worry about my seeing Will and Ken. Mrs. Lehner had some kids over there last night, me included. Will hasn’t changed much — a little older. He wears a mustache, not bad. I don’t even know if it tickles. I didn’t try it. Aren’t you disappointed? I’m not. I’m very selfish. I’m saving them for us so I don’t run out. Will has taken to drinking pretty much and he insisted I have one with him. It was weak and only one. Please don’t be angry but I couldn’t tell him no after all this time.

News, Will met me up at the drug store so I wouldn’t have to walk down alone and Helen was with him. She holds on as if she is glued to him. All evening he invited her in front of everyone and everyone was talking about her behind her back. I only had a few words with him alone, but he said he would call and give me the dope. He did say however that he wasn’t worrying about it as life is too uncertain at the present time. He has asked her for the ring but she thinks it can still work out for them together. I really don’t think Will does.

Will got away from her long enough to meet Florence Saul or something like that. He said you know her. She lives up your way. He had try little to say about the war. But he said a sailor should not be married. He said it is too hard or something. I guess he meant it was hard to get along without. I think my husband is strong enough to control his, well, you know what. Ken is as bashful as ever, takes a few but not like Will. He is really off, but he can take care of himself. So much for the kids except they are leaving Saturday morning so I won’t be able to see them off. It would have only made more confusion anyway.

In your first letter tonight you were on my neck for not writing and in the second vica versa. Anyway, I do get a letter off almost every day and I can’t see why you don’t get them for a couple of days and then get 3 at once. Just another mystery. Anyway we are both doing our best and that’s all either of us can do. If your studying should be done, I’ll understand if you put it first. I just want you to make good. Very good.

I’m glad to hear you saw Mill and know there are a few of your friends out there with you. Have you seen Don D. as yet? You kids from school should get together some time. I mean if they give you any time off out of K.P.

Will is the best cook on his ship I hear. Not a bad catch for some gal, but not me. I can’t see what I even saw in him other than a friend. Oh well! We must live and learn.

Darling, about sending anymore for a couple of weeks I think not unless you really need them. You see, the government is only giving us $60 a year for clothing with the little I’ve got I’ll have to get a few things first. Please don’t think I don’t think enough of you to give up anything, but you should have enough for a few days.

Darling I won’t be angry about the luncheon cloth. I am a bit disappointed because you said you had left $.50 on it but it isn’t enough to get mad over. I hope you don’t think I’m going out too much. It helps to keep me from getting lonesome somehow. How do you suppose your mom found out about our plans? I’m very sorry too that she had to hear, but we can’t cry over spilled milk. I guess it was better now that I didn’t call her after all. Please write to her though and to Hi too if you possibly can. They would like to hear. They ask about you every day. I have to get to bed early tonight as it was 1:00 by the time I got into bed. Darling, I love you and you alone. By the way, Bob Law is enlisting in the Navy also. He expects to leave next week. Also to Idaho. I’m very tired so I’ll sign off for this time.

Love,

DeLores

Darling, if you ever go out, please take care of yourself in every way and I rust you to the end. This picture of the kids were taken in the spring so they aren’t too new, but it’s an idea. I love you darling and may God e with you always. Keep your chin and head and heart light.

Love,

Your future wife, “Me”

P.S. Say if you should get a leave in March maybe it might just be March 3, hmmmmm? Any day would please me but I’d like that one special. Anyway, we’ll see won’t we? Just so it is. See you soon!

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