Dearest Husband,

Every time I get a letter from you I realize more what a wonderful husband I have. I realized it most tonight in Mother’s letter. It was beautiful and it made her so happy. What makes it so nice is that I know it comes from in your heart. It isn’t just words. Darling, I wish I could express myself the way you did in that letter.

Darling, I’m sorry you spent another lonely day. I do so want to get out there so we don’t have to spend lonely hours apart. Somehow the bills keep coming. Tonight I put $5.00 on pictures, $5.00 on Benimean, $10.00 on the front room set and that’s where the money goes.

Anyway, I don’t think I have to pay anything except my suit and pictures before I come. Anyway they are coming down fast.

Darling, surprise. Ed and Helen are in right now. I had a talk with them before they came in. I think everything will be O.K.

Mom and Dad and I were downtown shopping. Dad got a beautiful brown suit and hat to match. All I got was receipts and 6 pair of stockings. I had some dime store pictures taken. They sure turned out awful. I’ll enclose them for you.

Darling, just what does that little flag mean that you sent? I can’t seem to find anyone who knows the translation. Let me know what it means.

Darling, I sure would like to get that job with you. I said I wouldn’t stay, but that we won’t know for sure until we get together. Darling I want to come right now, but I must get these bills taken care of first. I know you want it that way. I love you and want to make you happy. Being together will make us both happy. I’m sure I’ll never make a mistake like the one I just did. I’m sure that our marriage was not a foolish move. It’s what we both wanted and I know we’ll be very happy. It isn’t gong to be long before this is all over and we’ll have a home of our own. I pray for the day, so I know it won’t be long. It is about 10:30 so I think I’ll turn in. God bless my sweetheart darling.

Before I go, I must thank you for writing Mother such a swell letter. It made me cry when I read it. “Your loving son, Joe.” You couldn’t have said it better if you tried. I’ll not mail this until noon tomorrow, so I may write a few lines on my relief tomorrow. until I see you soon.

Your sweetheart wife,
DeLores

P.S. Thanks for that planted one. They are always so nice. I return mine. XXXXX

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Dearest Joe

I am at work and not too much to do. We are back to 8 1/2 hours a day and it sure is O.K.

Alice must have gotten your letters because she hasn’t been nice all today. She is nuts. She won’t let my pal and I even work together. Nice kid.

I’m very tired today and din’t get to bed until about 11:15. I met Millie’s boyfriend yesterday. She brought him out to work at lunch. He is cute but he isn’t half the build my husband is.

Sweets about working with you. You know I want to be with you as much as possible. If I can work where I can see you so much the better. I’d love it. I’m getting fed up with this job anyway. It isn’t to for of another 3 weeks. Maybe. I know you don’t want me to leave the bills behind. So I’m trying very hard to get them cleaned up. About $50.00 to go and then to save for a couple of weeks and I come.

Darling I’m not sure I’ll be able to work to get them all taken care of first. All I’ll say is that I’ll do my best.

God bless you and I’ll see you soon.

Your loving wife,
DeLores

I’m excited to come across one of the rare letters from Great Grandma Esther, Grandpa’s mom. Grandma Esther (Lieberman) Ackert came to the U.S. from Austria Hungary between 1887-1892, when she was 10-15 years old. She’s roughly 61 years old when she’s writing these letters. English isn’t her first language. Grandpa’s family is Jewish, and you can read throughout some of the previous the letters how my Lutheran Grandma DeLores is trying to figure out the best way to build a relationship with her new mother-in-law. She wrote recently to Grandpa that she wasn’t sure if she should call. And then when she received a phone call from Grandma Esther, she seemed relieved and delighted by the outreach. Grandma Esther then told her she’d love to have Grandma call her. It seems like both sides of the family were trying to navigate their new marriage.

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Dearest Joe,

Received your letter. Was very glad to hear from you. I am glad to hear that you like the climate better in Washington and haven’t any colds anymore.

I am feeling as good as can be expected, so please don’t worry over me.

Aunt Jennie came home last week, she went right out to the lake. She is feeling fair. She asked about you.

Salma Lieberman had a boy. They invited me to the Briss last Sunday.

Bernice is fine, she went to her mother’s this afternoon, so I am home alone for a little while.

I have no more news to write, so I close with loads of love and kisses.

From your loving
Mother

To The Sweetest Husband in the World,

Darling, you surely surprised me with that typing. Not bad. Keep up the good work and someday you can be the bosses’ suit. All kidding aside, its swell. I hope you like it and make good on it.

I received a most wonderful letter again written Saturday. Somehow you haven’t mentioned being out with Dorothy. No, sweetheart I’m not jealous or mistrusting you. I think it is swell there is someone from home out there to see and be with. I know you must get very low sometimes. See her and talk to her as often as you can. My blessing on you. Say hello to her and tell her I may be out there to take you away from her.

Darling about the relations. I don’t know what to do with my brother, but I had a talk with Alice and everything is on the road to fixing. I hope I know you would prefer me trying to get along instead of putting coal on the fire. I did it because I think it would be what you would do. Believe me, I don’t want to hurt you.

I’m glad to hear you have a job for me. Hope it waits for me. I can’t seem to get rid of the day to day expenses. This week it is pictures. I’m not going to take them all out I don’t believe. It remains quite a bit of money. I do so work to get enough on hand so I can come soon. I want that more than anything in the world. To be with my husband if only for 1 day a week. It could and would be worth anything. I love you and I know that I need you.

Mom just asked me to cut it short as she wants me to do something for her. I’m going downtown tomorrow night so don’t be surprised if you don’t get a letter tomorrow. However, I’ll try.

Keep up your good work and God bless you and the lot of you.

Until we see you soon. XXXXXXXXXX for my husband.

Your loving wife,
DeLores

Ok, before I get into the letter, I just need to insert a little commentary. HOLY MOLY the delay between writing letters and receiving a response is insane! Naturally, we know this to be true. But I have been dying reading all of these apologetic letters from Grandma about the dance she went to with some other guy. Platonically. I mean as she said, “what was I supposed to do… sit and be a wall flower?!” Grandma loved to dance so much! But of course Hi (Grandpa’s brother) and Alice (his wife, who also works at the factory with Grandma) gave her such a hard time that she felt like she had to beat herself up over and over. Let us remember that she is nineteen years old!

A few letters back, I saw Grandpa’s reply. I gave him a high five for his understanding.

“Please,” he writes, “you know I have always said that it’s our life to live and not our relations. If they didn’t like the thing they shouldn’t have poured it on so heavy. Darling, I know that you didn’t mean anything by it, but people are funny. Especially relations.”

Damn, Grandpa. Thank you.

But then, of course, it had to cross the country by mail, and Grandma CONTINUED to apologize and Great Aunt Alice apparently continued to give her a hard time.

Life is so much easier with texting.

But this is it. Grandpa’s letter FINALLY arrives, and I have to say — thank god. Give Grandma a little relief.

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To My Loving Sailor Husband,

Today I received the most wonderful, understanding and whole hearted letter I ever expected to get. I’m not sure what I was expecting you to say about my act, but I didn’t expect the understanding so complete that I got.

Darling, you know and so do I that I’m still acting young and without using my head. That’s one reason why I want to be with you. I’m learning being away from you. I’m sure you can and will help me if it is only for a month. Darling, I know you want the matter closed, but you don’t know or will never know how your letter took me.

I read it once, then I ate supper, then I read it again and tears came. I have the most understanding husband in all the world.I really didn’t mean to hurt you as I see I have done. That is one thing I don’t want to do. If you don’t want me to come out (really) I’ll stay home. I know if I stayed there I could never save money. We would like but no more. I think a trip is the best thing.

Write and tell me what the weather is. Ours is very springy. Hot, breezy and dirty. I’m comfortable without a coat. So much for the weather.

I called your home but as usual Bernice took the conversation. Somehow I wish I could get Mother.

Darling, I’m very tired tonight. I sure hope tomorrow is our last 10 hour day for a while. It is nice to get the money when I need it so much but it isn’t worth it to feel this way all the time.

About Lucille and Dale, I think I have already taken care of that. Wish those two could get together like us. It is wonderful to know someone really cares what happens to you. I know my acts don’t agree with my word but time alone will tell what the end may be.

Darling, do you need any money or anything? I can send or bring out to you. You know you won’t receive food goodies from me so name anything else and I’ll do my best.

Now I think I will close as I still have dishes to do and I’m home alone. Believe me I know how you used to feel after a 13 hour day. It isn’t a good feeling. God bless you my one and only. My God led me as you prayed. I too will pray hard for the right. As long as I have my Joe to have, trust and understand. I’m sure things will never get the best of me. I’ll do my best to be friends with Alice at work. I know you would expect that of me. It isn’t by any means too much to want. Until we meet in dreams and letters, may God bless you and keep you.

Your Loving Wife,

DeLores

P.S. XXXXXXXXXX Ten Thousand more to you my sweetheart. I’ll remember this day always. Our first clash and how we came through. God Bless you. Bye Bye, “Wife”

Hello my darling husband,

How is my darling this evening? I am feeling much better today, altho we worked 10 hours. I suppose you’re mad at me and pondering about what to say to me. I expected a reply on my week ago Saturday letters but didn’t even receive a letter. I can’t blame you for being disappointed but you could never dream the trouble I’ve gotten into back here.

I told you I didn’t think I’d stay out on the coast but I think I may if I can find work. Alice and I are not getting along at all. I won’t say it’s my fault or hers. I think it is both of us. She feels she can tell me what to do and I don’t.

I’m sure you don’t expect me to take orders from her. You see darling, she thinks people can’t go anywhere together (man and woman) and have a clean, decent time. She told me the best place for me would be in Washington. In other words, she feels I can’t behave myself. That I have to have a man to make me happy. That hurts and just burns me up. I don’t know if she has written you or not, but it makes no difference one way or the other. Mom felt badly that I did what I did, but she also thinks Alice is carrying it a little too far. Oh! Nuts. I can go on for hours but that doesn’t make you feel any better.

I went to bed right after I finished writing last night and stayed there until 6:00 this morning. I feel pretty good tonight. I’m even going to wash my hair. That is good for me. The first time in 2 weeks. Since I had it cut as a matter of fact.

I told you I went out to Lucille’s house a week ago Sunday for dinner. I’m enclosing the pictures we took then. They aren’t very good but it gives you an idea of my new dress and my short hair. When I get paid this week I’ll have $70.00 put away for the trip. It’s coming along. That’s the train fare and I’m looking for someone who is driving. It will be cheaper that way.

Time out. Your mother just called me. I’m sure happy about that. She got two letters from Ralph today. He is O.K. but she would like to hear from you. You must write to her. She waits all week for a letter. She was very nice and asked me to call her. Please tell her if you get the food she sends you. Please she waits for your mail just as much as I do.

I just talked to Lucille and she has made up with Dale and I told her it didn’t look so good for me. She said I should tell you it wouldn’t be natural if she and Dale were on for you and I to be off. It really isn’t that I’m sure.

I love my husband and I know he trusts his wife and truly loves her. We will be together very soon. I’m trying hard to get money together. It won’t take much longer now.

Well darling, I just washed my hair and I’m listening to LX Radio. I’m closing for the night. God Bless you my husband. I will see you very soon.

Your loving Wife,

DeLores

P.S. Please try to understand your wife. She doesn’t mean anything wrong honestly. I’ll see you soon.

Bye Bye,

Wife

I’ve solved the mystery of something my grandpa wrote in a letter on January 24, 1943.

He wrote, “I bought the official song of our station for you. I hope you’ll like it. Try not to lose it as it would be nice to save for a souvenir. I don’t know exactly when I’ll get it mailed, but I’ll try and get it off real soon.”

I was confused. There wasn’t anything in the letter. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary in the subsequent letters.

In an envelope dated February 3, 1943, I found a Navy patch and ribbon enclosed.

My blog post where I first wrote about these was pretty funny. I wrote:

“In the last letter I posted from my grandpa on January 24, 1943, he wrote something that I was sure I’d mistyped. Tonight, as I was sorting the next month of letters, I found one that felt different than the rest. I opened it and found this! I’m sure these must be what my grandpa had referenced. Although “song” is not at all what I would call these. What word, that could be mistaken for “song” could also be used to describe the patch above?”

Ok, so I can officially tell you that Grandpa was NOT referring to the patches. Obviously. When I randomly reread those posts today I remembered the stack of sheet music I’d been given after my Aunt Dolly passed away, a year and a half ago. The stack of music included music from Aunt Dolly (Grandma DeLores’ youngest daughter) and apparently also from Grandma.

Look what I found!

This is definitely a song. I didn’t mistype. Who knew the U.S. Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho had their own song?

There’s a note on the back from my Grandpa that says, “I hope you can learn Farragut’s song. Love, Joe.” I don’t know if Grandma ever learned it, I don’t remember her being a particularly confident pianist. But, as a pianist myself, it almost feels like a direct request from Grandpa himself. Maybe I’ll learn it for him.

I have to call out the tempo markings, which say, “In ‘Farragut time:’ marching ‘Full speed ahead!'” (dotted quarter note = 120).

UP, FARRAGUT!
Your mountains and pines are signs of the times (pointing)
UP, FARRAGUT!
The men of the fleet are all on their feet hitting hard

In blizzards or heat,
in dust or sleet
There’s work to be done
‘ere Victory’s won.

By Lake Pend d’O-reille
we’ll call it a day
when it’s
UP, FARRAGUT!

We honor the man
whose name we’re proud to claim
Into the battle
he went with one intent to win or die

DAMN THE TORPEDOES!
FULL SPEED AHEAD!

UP, FARRAGUT!
Your mountains and pines are signs of the times (pointing)
UP, FARRAGUT!
The men of the fleet are all on their feet hitting hard

In blizzards or heat,
in dust or sleet
There’s work to be done
‘ere Victory’s won.

By Lake Pend d’O-reille
we’ll call it a day
when it’s
UP, FARRAGUT!

My dearest wife,

I just received all my mail that was stranded at Farragut. There was about 6 letters from you and the story of my leave. They were swell to read, even if they were a little old.

Darling, your story of my leave was really good. It made me laugh as well as cry. You certainly did a good job in writing it up. I’m going to type it up and send you a copy.

Dearest, I’m so in love with you, dear. I hope and pray all the time that nothing will ever come up to hurt our marriage. Please dear don’t ever forget that our marriage is our whole life. You know I’m very forgiving and understanding but I hope that you don’t figure that you should do things I might not like and take advantage of me. I don’t really think you would ever do anything like that dearest, I guess I’m just sentimental tonight. I’m pretty lonesome and blue. I hope things work out so you can see your way to come out here soon. In one way I’m going to be very very happy to have you near me. But you’ll have to be very careful of the wolves. I know you can be trusted because I trust you with my life.

I have done much today. Worked a little but not too hard. It’s really a pretty good job. Ten times better than the hospital. I’m not half as tired out, except when something special comes up.

How is your work coming along? I hope O.K. Don’t work too hard so you get all exhausted. Take good care of yourself, wife. Because when you are feeling bad I feel bad too. Forever my whole life.I love you with all my heart and soul and I shall always do so. I know you love me as much.

How is everyone back home? I hope fine. In one of the letters you said you had heard from Bud and he had congratulated us. That’s swell. Say hello to him for me next time you write.

I hope our Mother isn’t feeling so bad now. I hope Ed and Helen come to their senses soon and come over. It isn’t fair for them to take it out on her. That’s one thing she’ll never have to worry about. We’ll always try and make her happy. I hope she knows that.

Well, my eyes are a little tired tonight so I’ll close.

Bye bye wife. I hope I’ll see you soon.

Your loving husband (it’s real),

Joe

P.S. May god protect both of us. XXXXXXXXX

Dearest wife,

How is my little wife tonight? I hope in the best of health. I’m feeling just fine. I haven’t had any more colds since I moved. That’s one good thing.

It has been quite a lonely day for me. I was on duty but didn’t do very much. I put up some capriles and treated a few patients, but most of the time I have been thinking of you. I was wondering what you were doing this Sunday? I sure hope that this thing ends soon so we can be together all the time.

I wrote Hi and Alice a letter today. I gave them heck and told them to lay off. It’s our business and if I don’t think it is half way right, you can always count on more than hearing about it. I also got a letter off to Mother Albright. She probably will get it the same time you get this one. I hope it makes her feel better. I certainly hope that our marriage didn’t break up the whole family. Oh! I think they’ll come to their senses soon. Just wait and see. Things will work out for us. Darling, at least we have each other and that is really all that counts. I’m very sure we’ll make a go of our marriage and have much happiness. There are a few things to be worked out, but as time goes on, they’ll be all settled. We knew what we were getting into when we got married. I’m not sorry one bit that I married you and I’m pretty sure that’s the way you feel too. I hope so.

Darling, try and have a few dollars with you when you come out. I’ll try and send you some out of my pay if this allowance hasn’t gone through yet. I’m going to try my best to get a place for us to live but it is quite a problem. Don’t you worry too much about it. I’ll do the worrying. Do you think you’ll be able to stand all the wolves out here? At times they get pretty vicious but they can be held off. I’m sure you’ll be as fine a wife always, as any man can wish for. What do you think of the idea of working on the same job with me? Well! We’ll see into that when you get out here.

Darling, God as my witness that I love you very, very much. I only hope that you know if you really love me that way too. I believe you do. I’m sure nothing will ever happen again to give people a chance to talk.

Well! I guess I’ll close and go to bed. Take it easy and be good darling.

Loads of love from your sailor hsuband,

Joe

P.S. Always 10 XXXXXXXXXX

(Letter begins on March 26, 1943)

Hello my Darling,

I received your most wonderful letter of the 22nd. It sure is swell to come home all tired and have a letter to relax in. That is one thing we both experience. Receiving letters and the happiness they bring. We are working long hours in the factory 10 hours a day today and this Sunday. I can’t say I mind too much as it is money towards that trip to see you. I’ll make $14.00 alone Sunday. That isn’t hard to take along when you have such a good place to put it.

I was glad to hear your job doesn’t keep you so busy. It makes me happy to think you can relax and still get out and play ball once in a while. I’m sorry to say I haven’t talked to Mother Ackert for a few days, but she never does sound too pleased to hear from me. I know she doesn’t mean it to sound that way, but I really don’t know how to approach her. She doesn’t try to make it easy by any means.

Darling, I need your help so much I could die. It may be a good month before I can make the trip, but I can’t jump into this too fast. I’m sure we both feel the same about being together but we also agree about getting things paid up to date first. I’ll use my head until I get there and then it’ll be your worry. I don’t really mean that. We’ll just work things out together.

Sunday, March 28, 1943

Hello my Darling,

I have an apology to make for not writing but I don’t feel up to it. We are working 10 hours a day and I’ve got all I can do to write at all today. I want to write believe me, but I’m on the job until 5:30 and that is good. I’m only doing it because today alone brings me $14.00. That helps to make our other dreams come true.

I don’t know if I’ll stay to live when I come out, but I’m not saying I won’t. I have considered waiting for someone, a traveling salesman or who ever it may be, driving out to the coast. If I had the cash I could have gotten a ride out for $20.00 and meals. I think it would be much cheaper that way. How about you? I mean what do you think?

I’m glad you like your new work. It sure sounds better than the hospital stuff. As long as I know you’re happy and waiting for me to hurry out I don’t mind working like a fool. Maybe if I worked more I would get into less trouble.

I and Mom an dDad and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson went to the Ships and Johnson Ice Show last night. It wasn’t as good as I expected it to be, however it was very nice. I met O. Johnson as the Andersons know her.Anyway, I shouldn’t have gone, but I did enjoy it. I don’t know if it’s enough to suffer the effects that I do. To say the least, I’m limp.

It is all of 8:15 and I’ve already slept 1 1/2 hours on the couch and know I’m going to be. I can’t think anymore so I’ll close. Please forgive me. I’ll do my best to improve my writing. This temporary hour business is may be over the 1st.

God bless my wonderful husband. I love him with my whole heart and please understand. The folks all say hello, Mom and Dad and Mrs. Lehner. By the way, Millie’s Bruce is home for a 15 day leave from Florida. He thinks he is going across shortly after he gets back. I’ll try and write tomorrow. You can see that happy in some of my future attempts.

Love,

DeLores

My dearest wife,

How is my sweet wife tonight? I hope not too tired out. But I suppose you’re tired out as well as still down on people.

Please, you know I have always said that it’s our life to live and not our relations. If they didn’t like the thing they shouldn’t have poured it on so heavy. Darling, I know that you didn’t mean anything by it but people are funny. Especially relations.

I believe nothing will ever happen again to give them a chance to make you feel badly. I’m sure that even though I didn’t give you much heat, you’ll know the things that go with being a wife. I love you with my heart and soul and I know you do too. It’s our life together that counts. We’ll make a go of it. I’m sure of that. Please don’t let them get you down too much. It’s a hard thing to take, but you know that I’m standing by you always. I know that many small things like that will come up in our lives but all I’ll do is squawk some and always love you. That’s something I can’t help and don’t want to.

Darling, look at the date on the top of this letter. It’s exactly one month on the date, and on the day that we became man and wife. Our really first anniversary. The oddest thing was that one of the Marine Sargents here married just a little while ago. It was a beautiful military wedding. Not as beautiful as ours. It made me think of ours. I bawled because I want you here so bad but the housing will be difficult, but I’m sure we’ll find something.

I already talked to the officer in charge of housing civilians and you have a job here on the depot when you get here, so don’t worry about us being able to make a go of it. Be sure before you come to have enough to take care of us for a while. I’m sure we’ll be very happy together, won’t we?

Well, I guess I’ll have to close for tonight as I’m exhausted and am going to hit the hay. I’ll write more tomorrow night. Bye and be good my dearest. Say hello to Mom and Dad for me please.

Your loving sailor husband,

Joe

P.S. XXXXXXXXXXXX
always until we get together.