So the first letter since December 9, 1947 is January 7, 1948. Between those letters, my father went home on leave, and then according to the envelope, he was transferred to Naval Air Base Saufly Field in Pensacola, Florida. According to Wikipedia, Saufley Field is a military airport and support facility located in unincorporated Escambia County, Florida ... five nautical miles (9 km) west of the central business district of Pensacola.
It is an active U.S. Navy facility and a former Naval Air Station ... The U.S. Navy leased what was then known as "Felton's Farm Field" for use as an outlying field of NAS Pensacola from 1933 and it purchased the 866.62 acres (3.5071 km2) site on 16 August 1939. The base opened for operations on 26 August 1940 ... The installation was originally commissioned in 1943 as Naval Auxiliary Air Station Saufley Field ... NAS Saufley Field's historical role was the initial primary training of Student Naval Aviators (SNA). It continued in this mission through 1 December 1976.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxx”
"7 January 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen,
How goes the battle today my pet? I finally went to work but it was time to quit before I really had a chance to start. It isn't the type of work that my rate calls for but just as long as its toil and it keeps me occupied I won't mind it at all. It's different and it will be entertaining and also instructive so what else could I ask for any way. Come to think of it I'm going to be forced to get a calendar by hook or by crook to keep track of these days as they pass us by already. I'm beginning to get ahead of myself so I had better slow down at bit.
This week is half over so there are no complaints as yet from your lonely wandering husband who misses you with all of his heart. I've been watching the mail for Aunt Hannah's gift but it hasn't arrived as yet. As soon as it arrives I'll rush along a nice reply. It really was very thoughtful of her to send them to me and I must say that they were most unexpected. Since you were over to see her I guess that we are both back in the good graces once again and that when I return home I'll be able to start from scratch instead of with two strikes against me. I thank you tremendously for straightening everything out for us. With that taken care of and Aunt Nellie and Fred and all of the Keohanes in a happy frame of mind I guess that I can get on with my tales of woe. By the way how is your leg? I forgot to ask you last night over the phone how it turned out? It's things like that that cause me to get gray hairs and to get lines on my forehead. Someday I'll get rid of them all and settle down to a life of ease once again with you as my comfort and solace. Such joy and pleasure I'm looking forward to with all of my heart and the day will never return fast enough for me. The end is almost in sight so it really won't be too long coming around. Now I'll get around to current events.
This job require an awful early rising for me but I'll get accustomed to it eventually. We have to be at work at seven so the rising time happens to be merely six in the morning. Since I am in the Central Time Zone I have three hours work done before you get up so some morning when you haven't anything to dream about dream a dream of me toiling away earning 'our' bread and butter. Since I'm taking life easy the early risings won't bother me at all and in a week or so it will become automatic. I went to work this morning but I had to go over to the Main station from whence I came to turn in my Pay Records and possibly get paid but luck was against me. I'll wait until pay day now as I have lots of money to hold me over until then. All of the rigamarole and red tape got me slightly aroused so I'm going to stay put right on this base. On top of all of the red tape I had to wait two hours for a bus to return here so I was completely exasperated upon my arrival. I rested for awhile and then listened to the President on the radio as he addressed the Congress. The part I liked best was his proposed tax relief of $40 a head which would indeed come in mighty handy indeed especially in these trying and expensive days that are now really in full swing. From the reports that I hear on the radio I see that fuel shortage is in full swing back home. I hope that it doesn't get too bad because the worst weather is still ahead of you up there. I'll say a few prayers for you to sort of tide you over the winter. It's really a shame that I won't be able to get home so that I could keep you warm during the night. I really could have snuggled up to you last night because I fell asleep with the window open and I almost froze but I turned on the radiator and warmed up my chilled bones. Every time I wake up in the middle of the night and discover that you aren't near me I could beat my head against the wall for ever leaving home and joining the Navy. Wait until I get home to stay and you will have many sleepless nights. I guess my brain is stronger than my flesh's it usually never turns out that way it seems. Not being accustomed to that sort of life I'm not in the groove when I get home but once settled down to living like a human being instead of a penned up animal all will go well and I'll really knock myself out for sure.
I had intended to work out once I got down here but as yet the unsettled condition have prevented my doing so. In the near future 'll do a little moving around and get some exercise to remove some of my excess poundage. So far all I've been doing is lots of resting and not too much eating. Being in love and missing you so much had sort of caused me to taper off in my eating. The chief I room with told me that I lost an awful lot of weight since he last saw me and that pleased me no end after being told that I was putting on weight while I was home.
Well honey I'm going to close out for now as I have to hit the hay early for my early arisings now that I'm back to work once again. I love you desperately my love and I miss you so very very much indeed. I'll write again tomorrow night so until then take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxx”
"10 January 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen Alana,
As you see I'm under an Irish influence. Nevertheless I mean it with all my heart. I went to the show tonight and saw 'My Wild Irish Rose' with Dennis Morgan. It's the second time that I saw it and the music was very reminiscent of yester years. Mr Morgan is a nice singer in his own right but not quite as good as myself when my whiskey tenor is in form. I guess I'm a bit egotistical so please forgive me as I don't really mean it at all. I didn't accomplish much today although we did work this morning until noon but it was more or less a matter of form. I didn't mind it at all in fact time moved right along for me. Tomorrow will be another day for me and I hope that it goes along at a fair rate for me. I have one complaint about this place, there isn't enough clocks down here and I'm only hoping that I can get up in time for Mass in the morning. I'll have to buy an alarm clock I'm afraid or a watch but after a few weeks I'll be waking up automatically I'm afraid.
I still haven't received any mail from you as yet but maybe next week will bear fruit for me. Incidentally how are you receiving my mail these days? I hope that all of it is getting to you all right and that I haven't kept you waiting too long. That would never do at all. I'm back on the beam once again as I did a little washing this afternoon just stockings though. I must say that you did a good job packing my bag because the socks were still nicely rolled and when I unraveled them I thought of being home with you and got terribly lonesome and blue. The exercise of washing and hanging up the things eased my mind and kept it occupied for the rest of the day. I think and dream of you all of the time and I miss you terribly. With the firm realization that I will be home in the not too distant future I switch my thoughts to more drab and uninteresting things. Honey when I was home it slipped my mind completely but will you please try to get me the handbook for the police exams and the fire also. If you can't get them at Town Hall ask May to get them at the State House. Please? I can study them down here in my spare time. Okay? I've been away from you a week now and already it seems like ages. I guess I'm just madly in love with you and hate being away from you. Time will change it all though. Only 248 days to go honey and I'll be home to stay, I promise. Thirty five weeks or eight months. I'm not even settled here yet and already I'm thinking of getting home to you. It will be a dream at long last come true. I'm going to close out now honey 'til tomorrow. I need some mail for inspiration I guess.
I love you my dearest with all the love and heart that is in me and I will eternally. I miss you madly.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John”
"11 January 1948
My very dearest darling wife, Ellen.
My first weekend is about over and it wasn't too long in passing at all, in fact it went by quite rapidly indeed. I did very little today except read the paper do a little sleeping and finish up a little washing that I overlooked yesterday. My underwear to be exact. Now I'm finally caught up. I send my dungarees and towels plus my shirts to the laundry because they get to dirty and greasy for me to do. Besides they are much too bulky to wash without a machine especially when the laundry is cheap and they do a much better job on them at that. As I was (about?) to do my wash I was reminded of your evening ritual of washing your stockings and some unmentionables after doing up your hair before we went to bed. I miss that ritual tremendously even though I figured it was a waste of time as I usually mussed up your hair quite a bit anyway. Doing your hair I saw you in a natural state, with your hair down so to speak and what I saw I liked very very much indeed. You have a very pretty face an infectious beautiful smile and laughing eyes that sparkle and light up when you laugh. I better not tell you all your good points or it will go to your head completely and that would never do at all. I really mean it though and I think that my taste for beauty is unsurpassed. When I get too old to do anything else I can always have my pretty wife to keep my mind occupied. As long as you are with me nothing else matters at all. I'm pining away just hoping that the time rolls around until I can get home with you once again and this time for keeps honey. I went to Mass this morning and I heard a nice sermon on the Holy Family and Marriage. I enjoyed it very much indeed as it gave me a lot of ideas that your presence would really make work. I guess that you heard a similar sermon at home and became enlightened by it all. I wrote to Aunt Nellie this afternoon so that chore is taken care of all right. I thanked her for all her swell hospitality and generosity while I was home over the holidays. She was really swell and so was Fred even though he acted up the night that we were both in there. I guess the excitement of it all just overcame him. He apologized to me when I was in there the afternoon I picked up my airline tickets. He was genuinely sorry for it all. I hope that you aren't mad at him over it. Tomorrow I'll be awaiting anxiously for a letter from you and I hope that I make out as it seems like ages since I've seen or heard from you. Uncle Sam is cooperating I'm afraid. We shall see what turns up. Until tomorrow then take real good care of yourself. I love you with all of my heart and soul and mind and I miss you so very, very, very much. Good-night until tomorrow.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxx
xxxxx”
"14 January 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen,
No letter today but I'm still pretty well set with three letters to answer. Today turned up really cold. It was down to 25 degrees most of the day and its due to continue for a few more days so New England isn't really the only place that's cold these days. I'm hoping that it doesn't continue for two long because I'm without a jacket and wearing my overcoat doesn't do it any good especially where oil grease and dirt abound. From all indications the cold has gripped the whole country. Oh to be home keeping you warm these nights. I'd do a real good job of it too because I'd be just as cold as you could possibly be. Next winter will give me the opportunity I seek so until then I guess I'll just have to dream about it all. Today, although a working day, was just a day of do nothing as far as I was concerned. I spent all morning on the Main Station attempting to get a liberty card and a new I.D. card but as luck would have it I returned with neither. What a mess of red tape is involved attempting to get a few things done. Next week I'll go through the very same ordeal but I'm hoping that it will be the final jaunt over there. I got back here in time to go to work at 1:30 and we quit at three so I did absolutely nothing. What a racket! These students can't fly if the sky is cloudy or if the wind is too strong so it has to be a perfect day or no flying goes on. It breaks up the monotony of all work and no play but since I just started to work I haven't begun to appreciate it as yet. During the summer when the heat is upon us I'll be wishing for them I'll bet. No exercise today for a change due simply the fact that it was too cold to work up a sweat. If it warms up tomorrow I'll give it another whirl.
While on the Main Station I checked at the Post Office for Aunt Hannah's cigarettes and since it's almost a month since she sent them I'm completely at a loss as to what to do. Give me some of your wisdom? In fact I'm not even sure of her address now. If it isn't one thing it's another and I'm constantly in a lather it seems. I'll wait a while longer and see if they turn up. I hope so anyway. I guess I'm just a worrier at heart and I need your steadying influence. I haven't been out as yet so I really don't know what downtown is like but from all accounts it's no better than Corpus Christi but after pay day I'll pay the spot a visit and form my own conclusions. I was inquiring about beaches around here but they seem to be about ten miles from town. I haven't learned yet when they open but when I find out I'll pass it along to you. I hope that you can take advantage of it. We shall see. Pay day doesn't roll around until next Tuesday but I can hold out until then when I"ll be reimbursed once again. I should get a good wad of dough this time as I haven't been paid since the middle of December. Time will tell. I guess I had better get to your letters now as I'm running out of inspiration just about now. I didn't realize that my departure would cause such a lull in activities around the house but I guess we both miss being with each other. Being apart makes us both feel lonesome. Once we get back together again everything will be completely wonderful for both of us and I'm just aching and pining to make it come about in a hurry.
I'm hoping that my past leave didn't cause you any bad effects and that it wasn't too rough on you. Please keep me posted on any developments as I'm really interested in anything concerning you. From all accounts you too are really putting in a full day at work but I hope that it doesn't keep up too long. I guess my discharge had better hurry around so that I can relieve you of all the breadwinning burdens that you are performing now. I guess a woman's work is never done though because if she isn't working in an office she is putting in a full day at home. I'll give you your choice when the time comes. Is the truck driver strike over yet? After leaving home it seems as though I'm out of contact with all of the world. Callahan and Mr Gardner were pretty lucky that they didn't get stopped but I guess the snow storm kept all of the pickets in the barrooms. If I'm not mistaken that place they went to, Somersworth, is the place where you change to a bus when you go to Wolfboro by bus. I'm not positive but I know that we were in town on the way up. It's really a rough drive on a good day let alone a snowy stormy day. With all the snow you should be snow bound about now but I guess Bunny has taken over my shoveling job and all is going well once again. While on leave I may not have done much but I certainly did my share to help along the snow removal campaign. Now for next winter.
That water bill really sounds wonderful. By the way is that bill a quarterly monthly or what? They are usually quarterly affairs but I'd like to make certain. Things are really going along quite well and if it keeps up we won't have any worries at all. We haven't any worries now and I don't contemplate any in the near future. Madeline and Pete should be pretty well settled down now and with the store going all right and Madeline working they should be doing all right. Getting a business going takes a lot of capital and in Pete's case it will take time until he can really get going. I wish him an awful lot of luck. You can give me all of the dope when you go down to see them. I'm hoping for a place of our own once I get out and settle down. I hope that the housing situation will have eased by then and that we run into some luck. If it's within my power we shall have everything in the world that you wish. That's what I'm hoping praying and saving for and the more we save now the sooner all our plans will be realized. I'm dreaming and thinking of you and us constantly but until I can get home dig up a job and settle down to a human existence there isn't too much that can be done to make the dreams come true.
Well I'm going to close out now so please take care. I love you and miss you with all of my heart.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxx
xxxxx"
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxx”
"18 January 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Sunday night is here and almost gone and a new week is beginning. The week will have one consolation as payday comes around Tuesday so that will be a relief. I'm not broke at all but I'd like to see some of the green stuff for a change because you never can tell when it will come in handy. I should make out all right because I have a month's pay due this time. How is everything at home nowadays? Today turned out quite cold but since it wasn't raining I was quit(e) relieved but the low temperature made it sort of unpleasant. I woke up this morning just in time to make Mass so I din't have a chance to go to Confession as I had planned. I'll have to try again next Sunday and maybe 'll make out for a change. I haven't done a thing all day except read the papers and write a couple of letters. I'm glad that the day passed along as it did because it was beginning to get dull. I missed you tremendously and I'm just pining away awaiting your arrival in April and it can't get here too soon for me. Please pray hard that the days hurry along at a rapid pace.
Tonight I spent listening to the radio as the pictures they are showing are lousy and strictly ancient. I get more entertainment out of the radio anyway. I'm at a loss as far as inspiration goes so I'll switch over to your letters now and answer the couple that I have on hand. I just refilled my pen as you can probably see. I thank you for your sympathys for my banged up knuckles but they have all cleared up now. Since I'm pretty well on my way all is going along swell. Working conditions really do mean an awful lot especially if you want to be content and happy at the job. Your battles ax boss is a good example but after all these year you are very well set and after suffering the brunt of her remarks for the first few years you are all over her caustic whims & fancies. I have wonderful working conditions down here as no one bothers me and if they do I don't pay any attention to it anyway. I'm just resigned to fate and biding my time until September. No trouble or woes.
That election that was held here after I got here really surprised me but I'm glad that it turned out as it did because it is a big responsibility and as long as I'm not tied down I'll be free and happy. If I go home and decide on politics I hope that I do as well.
The dentist angle reminds me that I must pay mine a visit one of these days for a check up and a cleaning job. Since I returned from over seas my teeth seem to be tender around the gum line so maybe he will have some work to do on them. You are nighty lucky indeed not to need dental work. You have a very beautiful and infectious smile so take real good care of yourself. Rita is still cutting capers and her self imposed diet really tops them all. Oh, well, oranges aren't too bad but they will never be able to replace cake no matter what she says. She is really a character and gets better and better each and every time. That plane crash that I told you about is going to really set my old skipper for a loop because he is getting a General Court Martial out of it and was completely responsible for it all. There isn't anything that he can do but take his medicine. They broke every rule of flight safety and he hasn't a leg to stand on. I feel sorry for the guy that got killed. His wife is just about due to have a baby. From what I hear the guy had a spat with his wife and went out to the field to cool off. He volunteered to fly and wound up getting killed. It's a pretty tough deal all around. Please don't worry about me honey as I'll be all right as I'll keep my unnecessary hazards at a minimum.
More snow for you and in the paper today said that New York is having more. My god it probably won't snow again for a century. It must have been really nasty for you to get out of work early. I guess you really need your loving thoughtful husband these days to brave the elements to drive you home in comfort and safety. Next year for sure dear girl.
I have received all of your mail to date and you are doing simply wonderful. Never fear that I'll give up due to lack of mail. I have the tenacity of a bulldog and it takes a great deal to discourage me these days. Letter writing has developed into a ritual with me and a necessary part of my life and existence while I'm away from you. I have only 240 more letters to write to you so that isn't too bad at all.
Now that your mother is all better again Hannie had to take over. You take care of yourself and don't get it passed off on you. I hope that she can shake it in good time and be able to be up and around once again. I see that you are reading again but please don't overdue it. I should complain. Yesterday and today I read Time, Colliers, the Sporting News and two newspapers from cover to cover advertisements included. I also went about halfway through Readers Digest. It really passes the time and builds up a barrier to reality. I haven't gone to the library yet so I haven't started to read any novels.
Now that the old boy is home I guess the holiday is over for Fred and Aunt Nellie but she seems to have had a very profitable time while he was away. Good luck to her. She had the ambition and know how. Seeing that she put something over on him I guess she is really tinkled pink over it all. What a girl!
Well honey my bedtime is drawing near so I had better get going and sign off now until tomorrow when I shall write once again. I should have some mail also and for that I'll be very very grateful indeed. Please take car of yourself honey. I love you very much and I miss you.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxx
xxxxx”
"24 January 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen, Eileen Alana,
Well this week has really come to a close and we are about to begin the final week of January at long last. This month will really be gone next Sunday and I for one will be very glad of it. The time is really moving along for us and our interlude of separation is slowly but most surely growing shorter and shorter. Someday in the not too distant future it will be all over and we can settle down to a full life with all the blessings and woes of real married life. May it hurry in coming true. Today turned up cold but clear and it has remained that way up until now. This must be a freak year for weather because every thing seems to be going into extremes of one sort or another. The radio commentators informed me that New York and New England are due for another foot of snow so you will really be buried this time. With all the snow and the cold that trip down here in April will indeed be a necessity because it will take a week of heat and sunshine to thaw you out. Be that as it may I'm awaiting your arrival with a great deal of anxiety so please give time a hand and bring April around in a hurry. Reflecting in my own way this past year was really a rapid passing period of time especially since we got married and I got settled in Texas. These next months I hope will follow suit. With conditions down here as amiable as they are and work seeming to be quite endless most of the time it shouldn't take any length of time for April to get here and for summer and September to dawn upon the scene the time shouldn't be too unbearably long. My loneliness is catching up to me once again I guess. Getting up at noon today killed most of today and doing my washing chore took care of the afternoon so now I'm looking forward to tomorrow once again. Since I postponed my telephone call after Mass tomorrow I haven't much to look forward to but something will pop up I'm sure. Last week when I went over to the Main Station I had my picture taken. I was going to say that it came out real classy, but in my vanity it gets rougher looking each and every time that I see it. When you arrive upon the scene I'll let you be the judge of it. Well my dearest now for your letters.
Your letters are a terrific boost to my morale when I receive them and at times like this while I'm writing to you they are an invaluable source of inspiration and ideas so do the best that you can to keep them coming. I know that it gets tough and monotonous at times but it will end completely soon and you won't have to write another letter again for the rest of your life.
From all the dope that I get it's pretty tough to make ends meet on the outside so I guess Norman's three dollar raise, although it will help some won't really do too much good. It seems rough but it's for me beg borrow or steal. If you keep getting the raises that you have been in the past I'll stay home and you can keep on as you are. Okay?
Since I'm not going to call tomorrow you'll be able to save a few dollars and with Easter on the way it will come in handy. I'll call in a couple of weeks so I'll cut down the overhead. With a permanent coming in the future and a new suit for Easter you should be really sharp when you get down here and I'm dying to see you believe me. Let me know the color and style, no new look I hope, so that I can visualize what's in store for me in April. All the snow recently and in the past seems to have given you something to do since you got out and shovelled. While I was home the snow did slow down my travelog but it did give me a little recreation if you want to call shovelling snow recreation. It helped me pass the hours that you were away at work and for that I'm happy because it gets mighty lonely just sitting around doing nothing waiting for the one that you love to come home to you. Down here it's different because I don't expect to see you each and every night but I still have the dull ache of loneliness and homesickness. Your mail seems to be my only way out. I can't make love to it nor be loved by it but it's from you and that's all that counts. The snow and cold, I hope isn't causing you too much discomfort because if it is pack your bags and fly south. It's not so warm here but it's less severe and your companionship would be a God sent.
Your news of May B. getting a proposal isn't only spectacular but it's almost astounding and I hope that she can make up her mind before Eddie runs out of patience. From all indications Eddie is a man of few words and those few words aren't minced either. I guess it's one way of doing it. Everyone is settling down I guess. Her prayers and pleas have finally been answered and I'm very glad for her. Thinking it over on her part will really keep you all on pins and needles figuring out just what she will decide. Oh man, to be home now would really be something believe me just to watch you all and listen to all of the discussions pro and con that the announcements bring out. I won't mention it to a soul outside of you. Come to think of it who could I mention it too? Hannie will have to get into high gear now as all of her friends are either engaged or are due to get married in the not too distant future. Norman seems to be having trouble in persuading her but like Mary B. if he makes the novena who can tell what may turn up. I wish him luck. If he is going to wait until he is fifty he has a lot of time. You must be going thru hell itself with your 'difficulties' and I hope that my presence didn't bring about any ill effects. A woman's life is really a rough ordeal what with all the obstacles that confront her. When I get home to stay I'll see what I can do to relieve you of some of the miseries. At times like that aspirins must really be the greatest medicine ever made. By the time that you receive this letter you should be back to normal once again. I'm going to close out for now honey until I write again tomorrow night. Please take care of yourself my sweet. I love you madly and I miss you with all of my heart.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always.
John xxxxx
xxxx”
26 January 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here I am once again back at the same old stand and in a fairly good frame of mind. I have a slight headache just about now the cause and reason for it I don't know but a good night's sleep will cure me I'm quite sure. I hope so anyway because that it the only treatment that I use outside of sheer perseverance and living with a dull ache. If I were home now I'm sure that you would advise me to take a couple of aspirins but right now I'm not quite that lucky or fortunate. They don't sell aspirins at the Ship Service because the Medical Department outlawed the sale of them. I guess a few guys tried self doctoring of their chills and ills and wound up in dire straits. Maybe that is the reason for my aversion to them when I get home. In due time I'll get over it I guess. I just returned from the movies where I saw some picture about Scotland. It really was different and the scenery and acting were real good. I got in too late to catch the name of it. It was a dog picture and I imagine that it was Bob, Son of Battle. It killed a couple of hours and since that's all that really counts nowadays I was quite pleased with it. Today was another swell day down here and outside of a little work in the morning that kept me quite busy I didn't really accomplish much. There wasn't any work to do for our crew this afternoon so I just walked around and kept out of sight until quitting time came around this afternoon. I did get two letters from you today for which I am very grateful. I had intended to answer at least one of them tonight but with a throbbing and pounding head I'm not quite up to it. I will catch up to them tomorrow night for sure. I checked over a list of correspondence courses today at the Educational Office but didn't find anything that interested me so I'll hold off for awhile until something does come along that appeals to me. Well honey I hate to close out so soon but I'm forced to I'm afraid. I'll be in good shape tomorrow night and I'll continue then. Okay?
I love you so very much and I miss you with all of my heart and soul. Please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John xxxxxx
xxxxx”
"29 January 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
At long last they have arrived upon the scene, Aunt Hannah's cigarettes I mean. They came in the afternoon mail so now I can really send Aunt Hannah a 'thank you' letter. Receiving them really set me at ease as I can sit back and forget about them now. I also received two letters from you today so I'm all set for awhile. They were your letters of Saturday and Sunday so they are fairly recent. Keep 'em coming kid.
Today was cold and murky once again so I imagine we will have to work Saturday once again. I really don't mind though because the day seems to pass much faster. Anything that passes time quickly appeals to me vey much. With no flying going on we have run out of work completely so today was just a waste of time.
This afternoon all of the Chiefs had a meeting and we heard a talk by the Captain. It concerned the Chief's Club which at present is closed but will open up again tomorrow night. I don't know what will turn out as far as the Club is concerned but I'll pay it a visit and see how it turns out. Some of the Clubs are run all right while others are hell holes and a disgrace. Tomorrow night will tell me what it will be like. I went to the show tonight and saw The Senator was Indiscreet. I liked it a lot because it was funny and satiric and since it's so appropriate during this election year. If you ever get the opportunity to see it give it a look. I think you will like it. Well that's about all of the activity that is going on around here so I had better read over your letters for a little inspirational material. My God honey isn't it ever going to stop snowing up there? It should be up to the roof tops by now. If I was home my back would be broken from shoveling the snow and since I imagine Bunny is doing all of those chores these days I sympathize with him vey much. The driveway was pretty full when I left so I can imagine where he can shovel it to. Now that I'm down here and he is up there he can figure that out himself. Don't tell him that though because he would probably quit completely. I'm listening to Al Jolson now and I wish he'd stop talking and sing. 'Alabama Bound' sounded good. I see that you are planning for Easter already. I just looked thru my Missal and discovered that Ash Wednesday is only two days after our anniversary and that is only just around the corner. I didn't realize that Lent and Easter were so near at hand so time is really moving along. Only two days remain in this month and then off we go again on another round. Now that you have told me about your suit I'll wait in expectant anticipation for your arrival down here. Suit dress anything just as long as you get down here that's all that counts to me right now. That two inch drop in the hem line isn't too bad but I really dislike that new look especially with the split skirt. Please stay away from it. Your measurements really surprised me more than they did you. That 35 1/2 really amazed me but your 40 1/2 hips seem to be a little out of order. From usual charts of female figures the bust and hips should pretty nearly correspond so my dearest get busy with a few calisthenics and wear away that stenographers spread. That is the only casue of it as far as I can realize due to your sitting down all day in the office. I'm not complaining because I like you as you are regardless of measurements. That sudden increase in bust expansion reminds me of the guy in work whose wife sent away for a bust developer that she saw advertised in a magazine. Was she surprised when all she got back was hand about a size 10. When I'm with you you not only save yourself money but you have the real thing. I guess I'll be your human bust developer. What a job! When I get home to stay you will probably have to throw away all of your clothes because then you'll never be able to get into them. We shall see what develops -
The price of your suit seems to be very reasonable indeed especially with prices as they are. Remind me to make you my purchasing agent because you do very well for yourself. I'll need a message of clothes when I get out and I'll probably use your tailor to outfit me if it's at all possible. If I can gather a little dough together in the summer I'll buy a suit before I go home so that I'll have something to wear for sure when I get home. Lots of time yet though. I haven't figured out the style yet.
The mail situation has been wonderful as of late and I realize the situation with the weather and all. I guess I have been a little unreasonable in my demands and I'm sorry. When I was doing all of my complaining I was down in the dumps but it's all over now for awhile. Any depressions seem to be in a cycle. I'll complain again and again before I get home but overlook it. Just do the best that you can honey.
Has Mary made any decision yet on Eddie's proposal or is she still thinking it over? I hope that she doesn't wait too long because I'm awaiting the news just as much as anyone else. Pass the word along to me as soon as you get the word. I guess Pat's is the same as always and I'm glad that you had a good time. Sitting around the house does get a little monotonous so enjoy yourself when you can. I only regret that I can't be with you so that we could enjoy ourselves together. Well honey I'm going to save one of your letters until tomorrow night for added inspiration and if I make out I have a long weekend to look forward to. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you so very very much.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxx
xxxxx”
"30 January 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Another raw, rainy murky day interrupted operations so we quit early once again. Tomorrow though will end the week and also the month so it will provide some consolation for all of us. Next month though one day longer than usual should pass at a pretty good pace I hope. Only 228 days left so it isn't too far off. I got another letter from you today and as usual my morale took an upward surge. With bad weather halting the flying we haven't any work to keep us occupied. I guess when we do get work we perform it too fast with a result that when a lull does come along it's really a lull. Be that as it may I hope that tomorrow will be a good day and that it will produce something. It should be only a half a day for us so if nothing turns up I won't have much time to waste. It's on days like this that I wish that you were here. Today you asked me to find out my earnings and send them to you. That I will as soon as possible. I'll have to file a return I think. The income tax situation in the Navy is a jumbled mess as no one seems to know anything at all about them. Maybe with 15 March coming along something will be published. I hope so because I don't want to get all tangled up with Uncle Sam in the future. It should come close to $2500 but I don't know what is deductible yet. Well honey our Club opens up tonight so I'm going to cut this short for tonight. I'm going to save your letter for the weekend. Please take care of yourself. I love you so very very much and as always I miss you with all of my heart and soul. Until tomorrow then -
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxx
xxxxx”
" 31 January 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here is your ever loving poor husband back once again writing to you. My letter last night was rather short but I'll make up for it tonight by writing a lengthy letter for a change. The Chiefs Club opened last night and I sauntered over and paid my respects in my own inimitable manner. The club although a little cramped for space is pretty nice but activities were too stiff for me to endure last night so after spending a few hours leaning on the bar I gave up and came home to rest. I consumed about five or six bottles of beer and to my amazement I didn't wake up with a headache this morning. I must be in shape I guess. In a few weeks after it really gets going there should be something doing over there to while away the hours at night. I hope so as I'd enjoy it for a change. Today turned out cloudy and cold and as a result we knocked off work at ten this morning. This no flying routine is getting old as it means no work and I'm beginning to get anxious for a little work to keep my mind and body occupied so time is beginning to drag a little now. Maybe next week will turn up clear and sunny for a change and I'll be able to get my hands dirty once again for a change. Time alone will tell. I received another letter from you today and also one from my mother so I did all right in the mail department. Thank you a million honey because I appreciate your letters more than I can ever possibly tell you with words. Someday I'll try to make up to you all of the efforts that you have put into letter writing just to keep me happy as only you possibly can. I thank you with all of my heart.
This noon the watch list came out for tomorrow and since it's my duty day I landed on it with both feet. Not being content to let me stand one watch they figure that I'm extra good so I have to stand two of them. The first one from noon till four and number two from four in the morning till eight. I can't moan or groan out loud because it doesn't do any good. It gives me something (to think?) about so my mind is occupied for the present. It seems the only time I win anything lately it's always something that I don't want. Be that as it may be I'll just have to stand them and forget it. This afternoon I broke down and went to town to look over the situation. My only complaint about being where I am is the transportation angle. It's a little rough because the bus ride is long and slow and there is a matter of an hour at least between busses. Outside of that all turned out all right. I walked all over the town such as it is and located anything that seemed to be of any importance. I picked up a couple of things that I needed and then stepped into a bar for a couple of fast ones - whiskey and soda this time. It was a hotel bar and was it dark in there. The only lights I saw was over the cash register and small streams of light eking out of a starry effected ceiling. I could hardly find my drink on the bar and when I finally did get my hands on it I didn't let go - lest it be lost or stray away under some strange power - usually the groping grasp of a bar fly awaiting such an opportunity because the surroundings were ideal for the type. Being a weekend the place was mobbed so after a couple of fast ones I got up and left feeling none the worse for wear.
After surveying the town for another stretch of time I stood on a corner and awaited the bus to take me back to the base. After an hour one finally came along and returned to my abode once again. The town or city whichever it is seems to be about as big as Waltham if not a little smaller. You will be able to judge for yourself when you get down here. Activities are few down here, so it appears, so for some sort of diversion I'll have to think up something if anything pops upon the scene. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for entertainment so that we can have a little to do when you arrive. An automobile is an almost necessity but since we haven't any we will do the best that we can with the conditions that prevail.
Today is the last day of the month at long last and tomorrow begins a whole new month at long last and it chops a month off our time apart. The time will roll along at a good rate I hope, so I'll do my best to make the time go by at a fast pace. Right now I'll look forward to your arrival as the most important event of the age to me. It's only about seventy days away and each and every day I'll chop off one more day of separation. Just help me out by giving time an equal boost on your end. The time is drawing near when all of our dreams and plans are realized and it can't be here too soon for me. I'm breaking down the remaining months into milestones, first your arrive down here and then a leave for me. It will really split up the time for me, and for you too. I'm listening to Truth or Consequences and that 'walking man' in my estimation is William Hop along Cassidy Boyd the Cowboy movie star. When the name comes out I'll undoubtedly be wrong as usual. I'm thinking of those watches tomorrow and already I'm tired. Oh well such is life in these parts.
I'm finally getting around to your letters now so here goes. I'm away behind because I'm answering your letter of last Saturday on this Saturday so I'm really off the beam. I'll catch up though. With all of the snow and cold life seems to be taking on an unbearable sort of shape but spring is just around the corner. Today in the paper I see that it was officially three below in Boston yesterday and I'm hoping that you aren't catching cold. I wish I could be home generating my heat for you. With all that cold weather I'd probably use all that I could possibly generate. As long as the oil holds out for a couple of more months it won't be too bad. I'm hoping for the best. I guess we would have been able to take in the Irish dances when I was home except for the snow storm on the night that we (were) supposed to go. When I get home again we will pay the place a visit because if it's like the old Irish dances, the real Irish dances that they had at Hibernians years ago, they must be quite the sight. That's all I heard about as a kid Hibernian Hall and the Irish dances. From all indications there must be an awful lot of green horns coming out now. By the way how is Eileen doing these days? Is she as carefree and rough as ever? Norman's buggy seems to have met its Waterloo at long last namely a snowstorm. He has had good luck with it so far though. As fas as the bed goes his suggestion doesn't sound bad at least if we wrestle we won't fall out as we are apt to do in bed. On the other hand maybe we should by a new on that is guaranteed against squeaks and strange noises. One of these days we will find the solution to it all and I hope that it won't be too late to take advantage of our discovery. The cold and snow is dampening activities all over I guess. I was talking to a chief who came in from Miami and he said that it's really dead down there in comparison to other years. The weather is one factor and the almighty dollar is another. People aren't spending now as they did. The Ex G.I. has spent all of his Allowances and easy dough is hard to pick up anymore. All of the ex servicemen that I run into keep giving me the same song and dance about throwing their dough away on wine women and song and dance and now when they so desperately need it to live they can't get it. In some cases it gets down right pitiful. By the way speaking of money keep your eyes and ear open wide as far as that State Bonus goes I don't want to miss out on it and if by phone or other means you can find out the final date of filing let me know and in a hurry. Three hundred bucks gratis is nothing to let slip thru our hands needlessly. Find out about it honey will you? I'm still awaiting those civil service handbooks you were going to get for me. Do the best you can! Okay?
From your letters Miss Mac seems to be ripe for a psychologist unless it's an act of a large bundle of cash. I hope that that is all that it is and not a serious brain injury. That would really be tough on the old girl overbearing though she may be at times. I hope that she has a rapid recovery. Well honey I must save a letter to answer tomorrow so I'll come to a sudden close at about this time I have to shower shave and put in a call so that I will be up in time for Mass tomorrow morning. I'm going to Communion again and I'll offer it up for both of us for a long and happily married life. Pretty soon we will be able to settle down and start it.
I love you with all of my heart and soul and honey I miss you so very very much. I'm counting the days until your arrival so if it's in your power please hurry the days along. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxx
xxxxxx”
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