You better sit down because I have some great news.
I’m leaving Tuesday for the coast. I have a ride with a woman and 2 children. it isn’t costing very much but you could get me a room if possible. I know this is sudden, but your letter today was so blue and the chance came so I took it. It won’t be long before you have your wife to have the heart to heart talks with. I’m so excited I can’t think. Just try and find me a room. I’ll have almost $100 or more that should hold me. I will wire you on my way.
I’m going down to get this off right away so I’ll write more when I’m more collected. I hope you are as happy as I am. I love you and it isn’t too fast. See you on about the 20th. I love you sweetheart.
Hello darling. I’m feeling pretty fair tonight and hope you are the same. The reason I didn’t write last night was that I went over to Seattle for the evening. I didn’t do much at all, but I just wanted to do something for a change. I was up at the Serviceman’s Center and bummed around a bit. There really isn’t much to do if you don’t drink. And you know what I think about that.
I received your wonderful letter of the 1st. It was swell to get your letter and the pictures. You’re really looking lovely with your new hairdo. I certainly have a swell looking wife and shall always think so. There was one really good picture — the one of you looking straight forward without a smile on. The others are too much of posed. I certainly will be very very happy when I can have you in my arms again. I love you so much dear.
I know you have quite a few bills to take care of. But don’t let things get you down, dear. They’re for us. I hope this is over with soon and I can take my rightful position of being the supporter. I married you to take care of you. I got paid the other day but it was only $22. I owed some money $5 on some things I had cleaned and taken care of here at the station store. Your allowance is all taken care of but it usually takes a few months for it to go through. If I can spare $10 I’ll send it to you. I don’t like to leave myself flat. Easter is coming up too. Darling, I try very hard to conserve our money to help you out. I’ll do all I can to do my share even if I can’t do much now.
I’m very happy to hear that both you and Mother Albright were pleased with my letter. That is exactly how I feel. I will always try to try and make who I can happy. I love you so much and all I want is to see you happy. If you’re happy, I’m happy. I know you’ll never do anything to harm our marriage. Our love is too great to be harmed by minor incidents. I know you care for me like I do for you.
I’m glad you and my mother do talk on the phone now and then. I haven’t written to her for a little while but tell her the next time you talk to her that a letter is on the way. I’m trying my hardest to get letters off regularly.
Dear, I’ll have to close for now as I’m all in. Say hello to Mother, Dad and everyone else, but be sure to give all my love to my wife.
Bye bye lover. I shall always try and be a good husband.
Well, here it is Saturday night and I’m home alone. Not all dressed up but no place to go anyway. I’m not blue but it is lonesome in the house all alone. I didn’t receive a letter from you today. I can’t say anything because I didn’t write last night.
I took Mother to a show last night. It was “When Johnnie Comes Marching Home.” It was very good. She likes to go out and the rest of the kids never think about taking mom along.
I got a nice check this week. The whole thing was $57.00. I got $49.27 home. That sure looks ok. I’m going to put $25 on my suit and then that is finished. Then all the small bills I have left are the pictures and Binman. About $55 in all. I still have the $35 you wired me so I don’t have to start from the bottom.
I have some very good news. Before I went out, your Mother called me and invited me over to Sunday dinner. It sure makes me happy and definitely I’m going. It’s going to be a little strange to go without you, but I’ll manage as best I can. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow night.
I’m angry all over again at Hi. He wasn’t satisfied with your letter apparently because he saw Joe Lehner at the senior meeting and he told them all about it. That really hurts. I know the Union is working against Alice out at work but know I don’t intend to tip her off. When the union gets in I’m not so sure Alice will last. They have about 95% of the company in now. Do you think I should pay my dues? Please advise me.
I just talked to Mrs. Lehner and she is wondering if you have talked to Dorothy? Please try and talk to her and write Mrs. Lehner how you make out. The baby is starting to say a few words — dog, cat, baby, car, bye bye and so on. I may see Lehners tomorrow evening if they are home. Lucille is due to pop any minute. She was due a week ago Thurs. so anything can happen. So much for this part of my letter.
It is Sunday evening now and I’ve just returned home after a rather full day.
I turned in about 10:30 last night and got up about 9:00 this morning. I did a little ironing and then got dressed to go over to your Mother’s house. Mom and Dad drove me over so I didn’t get there until 11:30. Rather early we had a very nice dinner. Chicken and everything. She was very nice to me, but all of a sudden she got sour. At least that’s what Bernice says. I asked her to go to the show with me and at first I thought she would and just like that she changed her mind. Anyway she insisted Bernice and I go, and we did. After the show we at at Mickey’s and I went over to Lehners and Bernice went home to your Mother’s.
Lucille and the whole family were over to Lehners and they left about 9:15 and the folks wanted me to stay. Anyway they ended up bringing me home. Joe bought Tommy a new coat and hat and is it ever darling. When Tommy gets into it he just struts.
I got the whole story told to Joe from Hi also. Boy, I just want to see Hi and tell him what a heel I think he is. If anyone is doing any two timing he sure is doing ok. The night of our party he was putting his arms around Doris and feeling her out. That doesn’t sound so devoted.
By the way darling, don’t you think it’s about time you tell me about seeing Dorothy? Unless my info is awfully wrong, you saw her dancing and to a movie about a week ago. I’m not saying this is true but if it is at least tell me. I’m not jealous, but at least say you saw her so I have an answer when I’m told about it. Darling, believe me I trust you as much as you trust me. While what I did I know was wrong, I tell you I’ll do my darndest to see it doesn’t happen again. I want to know what you’re up to also. See her for company if you can, I don’t care, but I do care that someone else tells me about it and you say nothing.
Mom and Dad went to the show with Addie so I’m home alone again. I expect them anytime however.
Bernice told me to tell Ralph about it. She thinks it is going to be quite a surprise. I can’t see why she should but she says they weren’t expecting it this soon. They thought we could be talked out of getting married. I’m sure happy no one did. I love you and I wanted for us to be one.
Your mother said something about trying to sell the house this summer. She says she couldn’t stand to take care of it another winter. Don’t say anything to her about it however unless she says something to you about it. She says she will move into a room and kitchenette. I don’t see how she could ever be happy cooped up that way, but it is up to her.
Darling, I talked on for a long time so I think I’ll turn in. It’s cold in the house and it still is brisk enough to have a wood fire and we have none.
God bless you sweetheart and I’ll see you soon. I love you and trust you away. I’ll see you in my dreams.
Your loving wife, DeLores
XXXXXXXXXX
Always yours and I hope that takes care of you until I get out there.
I’m sorry that I haven’t gotten a letter off to you, but I guess I have been kind of tired out as well as a little lazy. Don’t think that I didn’t want to write to you. I did, but I just couldn’t get down and do it. Please try and understand me.
I saw Dorothy Tuesday and she was very glad to see me. I hate to say it, but she has gone to hell completely. She drinks like a fish and does many other things that aren’t mentionable. I tried to talk to her but I see that she wants that kind of a life so let her live it. She’ll regret it some day.
How has my darling wife been? I hope fine. I was glad to hear that you had nice weather because then you won’t have so many colds. I hope you aren’t working too hard dear.
I have been feeling really swell. I haven’t had any colds since I’ve been out here and that is a lot. The climate is a little damp and we have lots of rain, but I believe I can stand it. It is a million times better than Farragut.
About you coming out. I’m not hurrying you, dear. You know I always try to think straight. I know there are quite a few things to be taken care of first dear. But one thing I don’t want you to do is ride out with some salesman or something like that. If you haven’t enough money, you can always come out on the bus. It isn’t such a bad trip that way as they stop every hour. We’ll figure out some way for you to get here. Only please don’t ride out here with someone. Believe me, I trust you but I just don’t like the idea.
Another thing, try and talk Mrs. Lehner into not coming out here. She would only get upset when she sees Dorothy. I can’t put it into words how rotten she’s gotten but it is the lowest. Do your best to keep Mrs. Lehner home.
Darling, I love you so very much and I hope you do too. Please don’t do anything that might harm our love. It means so much to me and you too. It’s our whole life. I married you because I want to make you happy. I’ll always try to do my best. All I ask is that you try and be a good wife. I know you can and are trying. I’m not very hard to please.
I hope people, certain ones, have stopped giving you hell. Don’t let them get you down. I’m standing firm with you, darling. Just watch and see. We’ll show them all that we can and will make a go of our marriage.
How is your Mother feeling? I hope better. I hope you have gone to the kids and knocked some sense into their heads. They must understand, as I don’t want your mother to be made the goat just because we love each other and got married. Tell me if you think it would help if I wrote to Ed and Darlene. I want to do my best to fix things up.
Dearest, I have started to read the Bible and I hope that I can become a good father to our children. You know that I want to try my hardest to make a good home for my family. I know you’ll be a good Mother and wife. In my lonely hours I find consolment in the Bible, as well as learning things. I’ll have to know. I hope you agree on what I’m dong.
How are your girl friends? I mean Millie, Iris, and the rest. Say hello to them for me. Also say hello to the Lehners and Addie and everyone else. But fist of all say hello to my very sweet wife. I love her very, very much.
Well! I guess I better close as my eyes are getting tired. Bye, bye and be good darling. I love you with my heart and soul.
All the love in the whole wide world from your sailor 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
“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.
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”
“I love you more each day. I love you a thousand times each hour.”
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.
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.
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!
DeLores & Joe 