Dear Joe,

Happy St. Valentine’s Day. How are you Joe? I imagine you are studying pretty hard too. So is Dale. I guess he must be pretty good. He didn’t say so but he told me they had to have a special pass to go over fifty miles and they couldn’t get that pass unless they had good marks.

I received a telegram from him today and it was from Houston, Texas. That is ninety miles from where Dale is stationed. In case you two find time to write to anyone else I will send you my honey’s address. It is:
Dale E. St. John R.T. 20
Company 21 – B5 Building 4
U.D. N. T. School
College Station, Texas

I have a cousin that is in Farragut, Idaho. He sent my mother quite a few pictures from there. It sure is a beautiful place. He sent a box with pictures of different winter snow scenes that were taken around Lake Pond Ireille.

I sure was glad to hear that Dale had another leave. I was dying to see him. It is too bad that you didn’t get yours. How come? I thought that everyone got a nine day home after boot camp. DeLores was planning so strongly on it too. I guess you must can’t plan on anything anymore. I saw her new house robe Joe. She modeled it for Dale and me one Sunday.

My job is swell. I like it a lot. I have been working on some of Bigelow’s war work for the last couple of days. I have been painting deals. You know me and a paint brush. Whew I get a hold of one and it really isn’t work so now I feel I am getting paid for playing.

I imagine you met quite a few kids down in Idaho from St. Paul. I know that quite a few kids from school were training there also. Did you run into any?

Well, Joe, I have to finish my letter to Dale so I will say so long for now.

Be a good boy and I hope and pray you can come home soon.

Love, Lucy

Hello Sweetheart,

Well here it is Friday night and nothing to do. Mom and Dad have gone out to see the kids and I stayed home again. I received a wonderful box of candy and a swell letter from you yesterday. I’m sorry I didn’t write last evening but I had all I could do to get to bed. Mom was sick and I took care of her so now it’s my turn. I’m still not feeling good but I’m getting over it. Mom took off all week from her sick spell.

I got myself in an awful mess today. They (the heads) transferred two girls into our department yesterday from Fabric. They don’t like it and caused a lot of fuss about. Today they went to Personnel and one got sent back and the other is to stay for the day. Anyway, I was cutting polds and this Mary was working with me. One of the inspectors came over and she called to him and he came over and put his arms around her and kissed her. I didn’t say anything to her and went on working. I did say something about it to one of the fellows and I told the girls about it when we ate dinner. Someone (Alice) told the guard and he reported it and they were called about it, so naturally she came back to me. Boy, did I feel like an ass. Anyway, I guess I’ll just have to learn to keep my mouth closed, but defiantely.

Sweets, it sure is nice. I mean that week and off you get. Sure wish I could come and spend one with you. Maybe this summer sometime I can if you’re still there. I want so much to have you hold me close again. I need one of our talks so badly. I sure do miss not having you around when things don’t go right. Perhaps it is just what I need to make me stand on my own feet. Sure hope it does some good. Darling I know you need money and today was payday, but I just didn’t get my check. I’ll try and send you a couple of dollars this week. I know I’ll get it back with interest (in a husband).

I love you darling believe me. I think of you all the time. I certainly wish you were with me today as I’m going to use our set for the first time. Darling haven’t you something personal that I know of you you can send to me to put in your part of the set? It is awfully hard to use it without you. I had so planned on us starting it together. Anyway, it will be fine when you come regardless.

Guess what dear, I sure wouldn’t like to work your hours. That’s worse than mine. By the way, mine are improving. I’m finally going to get a ride from the door to the door. That means I can sleep until 6:00 instead of being on the street car at 6:00. Not bad. Say, how do you like the Navy’s food? Do you eat at the hospital or at the same as the past? Darling, tell me everything you do.

About your doing good, I’m sure you will. You have everything to work for. Your advancement, me (us), a memory. Those are all good reasons each in itself. I can’t forget also for yourself most of all. I know you want to make good and if you want to you will. I’m not worried because I’m sure you enjoy the work. Our love and future is something else so keep up the good work there. I’ll keep up the home front. I’m being a good girl. Nothing will ever happen like that again. Our future means more than a couple hours of foolishness. I’m trying to save but somehow I just can’t get ahead of the bills. Bernice just called me and wanted to know if I have heard from you. Your mother felt awful that she didn’t get her letter Thursday as she usually does. I wish you would let me go on Sunday and write her without fail. It means so much to a Mother to hear. I know from the way Mother takes it. Please take time to get that letter a week off to her. I might go out with Bernice to a show tomorrow night. Hope you won’t object. I know you won’t. I’m going dancing with Addie at the Prom Sunday night so that’s my weekend. I must close so God Belss you and keep you and keep you happy and well.

Love,
DeLores

Xxxxxxxxx

P.S. When you get paid, try and save some of your money. If you can’t get home I may get there. See you soon!

Hello Darling,

I’m sorry I didn’t finish my letter yesterday. I just didn’t get back to it. We expected company in the evening and we made doughnuts for lunch and then I had to get dressed. 

Addie and I had fun at the Prom last night, but I wish you would have been Addie. We were both thinking of our dearest’s at the Prom. I had you with me though. I wore my beautiful flower and rings and your darling little pin. I keep you with me always.

Anyway, it’s Monday and I started riding with a new driver. I don’t get up until 6:00 bells and just run out to the car. That is just wonderful. Work was just another hard day. I worked hard and steady. The kids in Fabric are all mad at me over the deal of last week. I found out what kinds of friends I thought I had. I got home at 5:30 tonight because the Fabric had a talk after work. (You see I ride with kids from Fab.) I guess they are going to start working for a change. 

Anyway, when I got home I had two great letters. I sure enjoy reading them. In fact I read Thursday twice already. About your not being willing, I know you’re just as anxious as I. We both want our love united more than most anything. Our love will carry us through and soon or whatever it may be before our lives conclude. If you can’t get a leave I’ll try to get wherever you’re stationed. If that doesn’t work we will be married as soon as your get home. About the money you’re sending, I’ll try to hold on to it as we’ll have it if you get home or just in case fund. I manage to make the m bills out of our money so will save your money. I don’t know if I’ll start a bank account though. If you should get a leave and be broke, having all our money in a bank wouldn’t do me any good. What I am trying to say, I may not have it at my fingertips when I truly need it.

By the sound of things you enjoy your new job. I’m sure you can be a success at that job. Know that you’re getting wised up, maybe you have some advice about getting rid of a two week old cold. I’m really happy that you can take care of your health. I just can’t shake a cold anymore. I’ll sure be glad when summer comes.

About our bedroom. I had enough to get it home. I’m awfully glad you want me to enjoy it, but you know I wanted it for us. For us to use together for the first time. Anyway, JoDe was with and you were on the chest of drawers watching over me. I can feel you as near when I close my eyes. I love to close them and dream but I have to open them again. Well darling, I’m going to have to close as this is all the paper I have. God Bless you sweetheart and I’ll write more tomorrow evening.

Love,
DeLores

P.S. xxxxxxxxxxx Always keep our love the dearest thing we have. I do. I love you above all. Bye bye “me”

Hello My Darling,

I’m so happy I just don’t know what to say. I just received the flowers. They are just beautiful. It made me a bit blue not having you to kiss as we used to do. I wasn’t even dressed up so I could put them on. I just wish you were here in place of the flowers. Anyway that’s too much to hope for so thanks from the very bottom of my heart. The corsage is made up of 3 carnations, Lilly of the Valley and some little flowers I don’t know. It is all white and red and it is the most beautiful corsage I’ve ever received. It means so much to know you’re thinking of me way out there. Thanks again.

I don’t know if I’ll get to wear them but I hope to. Until the flowers I hadn’t heard from you since Thursday. I know they keep you very busy at the hospital and I do understand. I love you so much it hurts this day. I want you near me so badly. Wanting won’t do any good, but working hard and praying may bring results too. Let’s keep hope anyway.

 

Dearest future wife,

Hello dear. I hope you are fine and everything is going along O.K.

I’m writing this letter on the patient’s rest hour. They are sleeping so it gives me time to get off a letter to my darling sweetheart.

I received the swell letter you write Sunday. It was swell and it made me feel very good to read it. There were some things in there that I’ll answer.

Don’t think for one second that I have changed my love or want to marry you. I love you very, very much with all my heart and soul and want you for my wife more than anything. Maybe at times my letters don’t sound exactly that way but don’t ever thing that. Our love is true. I have all the faith in the world in you and I know you have it in me. I’m sure we’ll get our chance to have happiness.

Keep your chin up dear. I know it was a hard thing to find out that I wasn’t coming home right away but I didn’t have any power over those orders. I wanted to go home and become your husband very much. So much that when this order came through I just didn’t know what to say or thing. They’ll have to give me a leave shortly and then we’ll fulfill our happiness twice as much. You keep the home fire burning and I’ll do my best out where I am.

I’m glad your room is all fixed up fine. You enjoy it for now and when I get a leave we’ll both enjoy it. If enough of the set is paid for you take it out. I want you to have all the fun and pleasures that are possible. Just because I’m under orders is no sign that my dearest sweetheart shouldn’t have enjoyment out of freedom. When I get home we’ll both share everything together.

I was very unhappy to hear that your Mother has been feeling bum. I hope she takes care of herself a little better than she used to. I kind of thought that she had a bum heart. I hope she is much better by the time this letter gets home. Say hello to her for me and tell her that I want her to take better care of herself and not move like a cyclone all the time. Give her my very best regards.

I’m glad you liked that ribbon and insignia. They weren’t much but I had a chance to get them so you see I’m always thinking of my future wife. I know you wished you had some of my clothes but when it came time to send them back it had to be done in such a hurry that I couldn’t do much about where they went. Please understand sweetheart.

No, dear I shall never be really tough. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just when you have to see and take orders and other things at times you just sort of don’t care much. In other words you get down in the mouth and there isn’t anything you can do about it. I know after I get out of the hospital work I’ll be different as far as pain goes. When you have to sit and watch a patient dying before your very eyes and can’t do anything for him you feel how small you are. I can’t put it into words but I know I’ll have to harden as far as seeing persons die before me. I’ll never be hard toward you or anyone else. You know that way in my heart I try to be a friend to everyone.

Well I finally got my pay that was coming. It was for 2 months. After they deducted from the $132.00, $20 I drew, $12 for insurance, I got $95 today. I get into town this weekend and for some am going to send you a nice money order. Use your own judgement on how to use it. I hope in time you can start a bank account so we can have something saved to start out on. Do the best you know how with it and I’ll never say anything. Twice a month I’ll send you an amount to take care of the bills and such. Things ought to be running smoother as far as money is from now on.

I guess I’ll have to close for today. I have written all the news I know at the present, except don’t ever think that I don’t want to marry you. I do love you with all my heart and soul and pary all the time that we may become man and wife soon.

Say hello to everyone for me, please. Loads of kisses and hugs from your loving sailor husband.

Joe

P.S. God Bless you, lover.

Dearest Sweetheart,

I’m very sorry that I haven’t been able to get a letter off to you for a couple of days but certain things came up at the hospital that took all my time. One of our patients developed a serious case of pneumonia and we had to put an oxygen tent on him. When we have a tent on a patient we put on what you call a special watch. It’s the same as a private news. I had to stay until 10 o clock with this fellow Monday and Tuesday night. It isn’t really hard work but very tiresome. I had to watch the tent and watch the guy’s temperature and everything else. I’m just about a real news now. I know you’ll understand how tired I was and I didn’t want to write from his room. As germs were all over. You’ll understand dearest that my duties in helping ill persons sometimes just have to come before you. I know you’ll understand and feel proud of me.

I have received some beautiful letters from you lately. They are wonderful to read. May God always see that our love keeps and I always have your sweet letters to look forward and receive. It did hurt me to read how many things you were doing and planning for our marriage when I was supposed to get home. Knowing that I couldn’t get home just now and you still thinking I was coming nearly tore my heart out. I wanted so very much to see and hold you again, to have you for my wife. It’s just one of the many bumps we’ll have to face in life. It seems that that’s all life is, is a rotten mess of things, at least right now. I hope and pray that this war ends soon so we may be together always. I’m sure we’ll find loads of happiness together. I know I have the swellest and best girlfriend in the world waiting home for me. Our love is what keeps me going. I have placed all the trust in the world in you, dearest. I know you would never do anything to ever harm our love.

I have been feeling pretty good lately even though I work among sick persons with colds and pularsg and scarlet fever quite a bit. If I start to feel punk I usually take a sulformilihide tablet. They certainly are rightfully called the miracle drugs. They make you feel like a new person in a couple of hours.

I hope you and the family are O.K. I certainly wouldn’t know how to take care of my wife now. Ion the week I have been in the hospital, I have learned many things to combat bad colds and such. I have also learned how to be a good housewife. I’ll really be a catch when we get married.

I’m going to have to close for just now as I’m on the job. Will write more this evening. God Bless you and keep you, dearest. All the kisses and hugs I have to my sweet wife.

Love,
Joe

Hello Sweetheart Darling,

Well here it is week in after you’re changed into the hospital.

Here is is Thursday morning. I’m on the street car and boy it is really cold this morning. I didn’t hear from you yesterday but I’m not worried about it. I just have a short time to write so it won’t be long.

I mailed you a box of candy last night. Hope it finds you. Enjoy it for me. If you do it will make me happy. Say, Darling, how about your 20 year insurance policy. Are you keeping it up or have you forgotten it? If you need money please say so. I’ll send what ever I can. I love you so much that I’ll do most anything. Mom is getting angry with me because she feels I’m doing the courting and not you. Don’t let it worry you though. I like it. The table is turned for a change. I bet that doesn’t seem quite right, does it?

Norman has the measles. The other kids can go to school though. So that isn’t too bad.

Well I’m coming down with what Mom had. I have an awful cold and feel a little punk. I’ll take care of it so it will be O.K.

I sure get it swell. I haven’t my earning for Lerner’s and I already have over $500.00. Not bad. Some more money gone. Well darling I must sign off as we are to 7th. Will write more tonight. God bless you sweetheart.

Love,
DeLores

P.S. just one man in my life. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good Morning Darling,

It is just 6:00 bells as I commence to finish this letter. I have slept on that news and it still doesn’t make me any happier.

Sweets, I put in an awful night, Mom not feeling well and me quite blue. Mom didn’t help it along any. More about that later.

Something happened last night when I read that letter. My bottom dropped out of all our plans. At least for the near future. They can’t keep true love apart. If you can’t get home I’ll come out to you. That is if I can get things paid for enough ahead. My big surprise I had for you was that I was or have done my room over. The set will arrive home on Saturday. I had it planned for us. To use first together. Anyway it will be home whenever you get home. I have also purchased a night table to match our set. It only set me back $29,00. The set wouldn’t be complete without it though. I hope you approve. So much for that.

Last night my Mom just about drove me bugs. She can find so damn many things to holler about. First, why hasn’t Joe sent you any money. I promised he would. Please darling, I understand but Mom doesn’t. Then she says, why hasn’t Joe my our his insurance to you. Here you set with better than $400.00 in bills on your back and what do you get. Nothing. Sweets, about your insurance, that is up to you. If you feels your mother has it coming, that’s up to you. But what can I say to my Mother? She hurt me so last evening. I felt so badly anyway and then she started in on me. I don’t care what you do with your money. It’s yours. Although I do think I have something coming. You are my life and I’m just living it for you. I know you love me too but that. Ah, darling I’ll snap out of this. I’m sorry I can’t make this a happier letter but all in all things have me down a peg.

Darling, work hard at this new job. It may be worth our while. Take advantage of every opportunity. I’m home here and I’ll always be waiting. Do your very best always for me. You have already given me reason to be proud. May God be with you always in this new adventure to help you when things get rough. I know you’ll be well at this work you have always wanted to do. Your father would be proud of you also today having heard such news. If not for me your work, do it for him. Best wishes and loads of luck and may God be with you always in this new job. With Gods help I’m sure you’ll do whatever you try. Don’t forget what makes me go on when things get bad. Our love won’t die because of a few short hours apart. Remember what Miss Lentz always told me. If you want to badly enough, you can do anything. I’m sure you can. Again I say God be with you.

Love,
DeLores

P.S. Keep the old chin up. Mine is. I’m sorry I had to write such a bad letter but it is all out at once. I am not going to work today as Mother is feeling very badly. Darling remember that every cloud there is a silver lining. We’ll find it soon I’m sure. Bye Bye. “Me”

Dearest sweetheart.

I tried to start a letter to you last night but I didn’t get very far. On the ward work we aren’t supposed to write but I’m trying to get a letter off to you dearest. This job really takes a lot of my time. On my long days when I work until 9 I’m so tired of that I can’t do anything but go home, back to the barracks, and go to sleep I hope I don’t get too worn out.

I hope you are ok and feeling fine, dear. I have been thinking about you all day. I want so much to come home and be married and be with you. It just doesn’t seem fair times that I have to be so many miles from you. I suppose what is, is and all I can do is hope and pray that I get a leave in the near future.

I love you so very much. If I didn’t have you back home pulling for me and standing by, I don’t believe I could go on. It’s a tough job but I’m trying to do my best. We all have our jobs to do in this war and mine happens to be nursing ill sailors. I’m trying very hard to put my best foot forward and make the best of everything.

I’ll try and describe briefly how this hospital is laid out. First it contains beds for 2000 or more patients all on one floor. It is made up of wings with wards off of the wings all connected by passageways. Quite a fine layout. Here is a sketch of the ward I worked in.

The sketch isn’t too good but I hope it gives you some idea of the place I working. It is really modernly equipped. All brand new and clean. It is a nice condition to working. So much for the hospital just now.

I hope you don’t worry anymore about that sour incident that happened a week ago. I put all the trust in the world in you and I know you won’t ever break that trust. Our love means the world to me and I hope it does to you. We’ll get our chance for happiness yet. Just be a little patient and things will come our way.

I hope my pay accounts get straightened out soon and could sure use some money. As soon as it comes I’ll send you a nice check to help take care of our bills. I didn’t get that money order off to cover that phone call. It’s a good thing in one way that I didn’t says that the money I am counting on right now. I hope it lasts until the pay comes through.

How are all your pals and everyone else back home? I hope they are fine. I have been trying to figure out when I’ll write Mrs Lehner. With washing and sleep to catch up on in my off nights I haven’t much time left. I’ll try to get one off to her soon. I hope u can explain that my duties in the hospital really keep me going. I think they’ll understand.

Here is an idea of my hours for the coming week. I work from 6:30 to 4 Monday then a big washing and to bed. Tuesday from 8 to 9. Wednesday from 6:30 to 4:30. I hope to get to some letters off Thursday from 8 to 9 and Friday from 6:30 to 9 and Saturday 6:30 to 1 and off for the weekend. Pretty good and fast. I hope I don’t go to sleep on the job. That’s a bad thing. I think I’ll stay awake.

I hope your folks are feeling fine and not needing any attention like I give in the hospital. One good thing about it is that I have all kinds of medicines to take to keep my cool down. They work pretty good. I have all kinds of drugs in the sulfur family that help keep me going. Well! I guess I have to close for now. Take good care of yourself and I’ll try to keep myself well. I love you with all my heart and soul and with God’s help we will be united in marriage and have life forever. God bless you, sweetheart.

Love and kisses from your sailor husband,

Joe

Dear Joe,

Got your letter this morning and decided to answer right away. I should have written before but I’ve been sick in bed for 3 days. I had Dr McCarthy Tuesday and he said I had infection in the throat again. But he painted my throat and gave me some pills and today I have been up almost all day. So you see you are not the only one who has had a sore throat. I sure hope you are alright by this time and are right in the pink again.

I just finished writing a V. Mail letter to Ralph but as yet don’t know where he is. We send all his mail to San Francisco and then they send it across to him.

Your mother and I watched the parade last Saturday from the Safety Building. It sure was a nice parade but not many floats. Of course it was a Victory Parade and that was the reason for it. In the evening, I went for a while with a bunch of girls. It was Beulah’s birthday too so we really had reason to celebrate. We had a table reserved in a cafe and had a birthday cake.

I think I understand how you feel about DeLores and I think everything will work out alright.

We sure were glad to hear your voice over the phone. Its was just like talking to your next door neighbor.

Pop Parish and I cleaned the basement last week and what a mess. The coal man forgot to spray the coal and as a result the basement got full of coal Believe it or not go there was 4 inches of coal dust in the corner. I put your pants and shirt on and did I ever look cute. But when I got done I didn’t look so cute. I had to take a bath believe it or not. Of course my year wasn’t up yet but it couldn’t wait and I almost clogged up the drain.

Arlene called yesterday to find out how I felt and to say she had my mother in bed. My mother fell down the front steps going outside and sprained her ankle. She went to the doc for xrays and he massages it and put the light on it. I sure hope she gets better soon.

Well Joe, your mother has her birthday the 15th of this month so I thought I’d have a little surprise party for her. I sure wish you could get a chance to come for that day. So if you write don’t mention anything about it. Jennie Z. Is going to help me with the party. Right now mother is sawing wood she is laying on the davenport. I think that party will cheer her up a bit.

Its has been so cold that we haven’t had a chance to go visiting this week but hope it will be warm soon. Well I’m getting kind of tired so guess I’ll close for now.

Be good and take care of yourself. With lots of love from your sister in law.

Bernice

Joe dearest,

Received your letter was glad to hear from you. It was wonderful to talking to you Joe dear it made me feel close to you well that is all for today with loads of love and kisses God bless you and keep you from your loving

Mother

Dear Joe,

Got your letter this morning and decided to answer right away. I should have written before but I’ve been sick in bed for 3 days. I had Dr McCarthy Tuesday and he said I had infection in the throat again. But he painted my throat and gave me some pills and today I have been up almost all day. So you see you are not the only one who has had a sore throat. I sure hope you are alright by this time and are right in the pink again.

I just finished writing a V. Mail letter to Ralph but as yet don’t know where he is. We send all his mail to San Francisco and then they send it across to him.

Your mother and I watched the parade last Saturday from the Safety Building. It sure was a nice parade but not many floats. Of course it was a Victory Parade and that was the reason for it. In the evening, I went for a while with a bunch of girls. It was Beulah’s birthday to no we really had reason to celebrate. We had a table reserved in a cafe and had a birthday cake.

I think I understand how you feel about DeLores and I think everything will work out alright.

We sure were glad to hear your voice over the phone. Its was just like talking to your next door neighbor.

Pop Parish and I cleaned the basement last week and what a mess. The Coleman forgot to spray the cold and as a result the basement got full of soap. Believe it or not go there was 4 inches of coal dust in the corner. I put your pants and shirt on and did I ever look cute. But when I got you I didn’t look so cute. I had to take a bath believe it or not. Of course my year wasn’t up yet but it couldn’t wait and I almost clogged up the drain.

Arlene called yesterday to find out how I felt and to say she had my mother in bed. My mother fell down the front steps going outside and sprained her ankle. She went to the doc for xrays and he massages it and put the light on it. I sure hope she gets better soon.

Well Joe, your mother has her birthday the 15th of this month so I thought I’d have a little surprise party for her. I sure wish you could get a chance to come for that day. So if you write don’t mention anything about it. Jennie Z. Is going to help me with the party. Right now mother is sawing wood she is laying on the davenport. I think that party will cheer her up a bit.

Its has been so cold that we haven’t had a chance to go visiting this week but hope it will be warm soon. Well I’m getting kind of tired so guess I’ll close for now.

Be good and take care of yourself. With lots of love from your sister in law.

Bernice

Joe dearest,

Received your letter was glad to hear from you. It was wonderful to talking to you Joe dear it made me feel close to you well that is all for today with loads of love and kisses God bless you and keep you from your loving

Mother