February 24, 1945 Saturday

Dear One,

                I imagine you’re getting accustomed to me starting off by saying it’ll be short, but if you aren’t, you better get that way because that’s the way it always seems.  I enjoyed your letter and the Mother’s Prayer.  It is a mindful thought.  It’s good to know too that you’re not being put on a shelf while you’re so young.  I’m saying in other words, I feel better knowing you can get out once in awhile, like this coming dance (past now)-formal and all.  With the Navy maybe you know by now you have to watch these sailors (no joke).  What I don’t understand is why you even thought of hesitating.

                Hon, I don’t feel so good about saying it-maybe I already have, but I guess I’ve been out of circulation so long is the reason but it seems that such things as this last topic of “7^th Heaven” are so far from me that I don’t think of them so much anymore.  I think of such things in the past, but the future is hazy.  There are things that remind me of though like last night.  I guess it’s the first time since I’ve been in the Navy, but Sue Russel and I went to a dance.  I’ve danced a minute or so at the U.S.O. now and again.  But, you can’t even count that.  Her girlfriend’s man had a car so we went to “Tune Town” one of the outstanding dance spots of this city.  Les Brown was there with his outfit and everything clicked off so nice that I had to pinch me to see if the Hyer lad was really there.  This Sue Russel is a High School girl and it’s surprising how much younger they seem to me now.  Full of life-always talking-more life than she knows what to do with.  I’m wondering if I’ve changed more than I thought or just High School here is young.  Standing by the bandstand listening to his work sure reminded me of similar times in Ogden.

                I’ve wondered about Clair and Luella myself and I’ve never had the word from Jim on how home and Nola was-same or otherwise.  You know, I haven’t even talked to Prod since the Jax campaign.  But I’m waiting anxiously for his address.

                Yep everybody’s getting spliced back home.  As you say-who’s next? As for you being an old maid, there’ll be plenty of hands willing to latch on to such a female as the likes of you and never forget it.

For now same as ever,

Paul

February 22, 1945 Thursday

I got another most intriguing letter tonight and I’m not going to hit the beach and my wash is fairly well along so here’s how.  I was just thinking how it seemed a little strange that our feeling (mutual) has grown even in letters-as it probably would have done had I never left you.  One particular example is that awhile back it was-love, Harriet.  Then after awhile it came to be –all my love Harriet.  It’s things like that that make me happier Hon, but that I don’t mention when answering a letter.  Speaking of letters, I still have a very slight dread when it comes to writing them. If I would just get and not give. It sounds like you have similar troubles though.

                I’m sincerely glad you got away from it all for awhile the other night and went to the dance with that ex-swab jockey. My dear I am one who’s glad that you are in 7^th heaven now and again even if you are skeptical about admitting it.  You deserve it if anyone does.

                I’d like to go a bit farther Skip and say that in my life there have been many things that were a bit troublesome or tainted and probably always will be.  But Harriet Johns is on of the very few things that came into my life which was near perfect in the sense that she never worried me, bothered me-never caused me trouble, etc…  Many times I’m sorry to say I am a bit selfish and jealous.  Not one or the other but a queer mixture of both (you are one of the few people I’ll ever admit it to).  But----believe me, in your case, I have never had that feeling.  When you speak of other boys, I don’t feel that way, though some boys would. You don’t hesitate to take every opportunity and I think you know I’m not just saying that.  In the case of the show, I don’t blame Blanch for not holding your hand.  If I were there I wouldn’t be holding your hand.

                About mother Johns birthday, I blame you for not telling me sooner.  I’d like to have written her about then.  I must say though she seems much younger than her years.  I think perhaps her family has kept her that way.  She’s accomplished already more than some women accomplish in a lifetime.  I wouldn’t mind if you told her that sometime.  To me, she certainly is one of those people with a grand spirit near them who always make you feel good when you are by them.

                I’ll close for tonight mi-lady. I have more to say about your letter to Clem but there is yet plenty of time. Write soon-no letter tomorrow-will explain.

Love ‘n Kisses.

Pablo

February 21, 1945 Wednesday

Dear Skip,

                I haven’t got a letter for two or three days but I’m not really complaining because I’ve no squawks coming. It’s been awhile since I wrote.  I don’t understand you not getting word from Saturday until Thursday though-unless the mail got fouled up.

                I enjoyed reading about that dreaming you did.  Those, I imagine are quite on the pleasant side.  They’re quite a ways from reality though because it’s quite improbably for that dream to come true.

                You asked me what you’d do now days if you couldn’t dream.  If you mean daydream, that would be bad but if it’s at night, you’d just sleep. Sorry to say-that’s what I’ve been doing lately.  It seems like I hardly dream anymore.  When I hit the sack I just die until that bugle in the morning and they turn the lights on.

                I’m glad you can find a bit of relaxation in those concerts Skip.  But don’t fool yourself you’ll be bettered by it.  Say, that’s a bad deal to have the accidents in the gang.  I bet you make a fine nursemaid and here’s one swab-jockey you can repair if necessary.  I don’t envy your lad going to the Army though he’s got a heap-a-doings in store for him.  Say Skip, awhile back when you were taking pictures, some of your kids boyfriends were around.  Did any of their pictures turn out? If they did, send me over what? You already know that I forgot to send those pictures in my last letter.  It doesn’t bother much though because there’s only a couple.  There were more but they were of Jim and only one print so I’ll send them over to him.  I haven’t heard from Jim since we shipped here from Jax.  But, I’ve got about 3 letters from Bob.  Lately he’s in Amarillo, Texan taking exams, etc… He doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be a gunner, Cadet, or ground crew.  I hope for his sake he doesn’t draw gunner.  He’s pretty keen on Lois-do you know? The way he talks anyway.  I didn’t realize it had gone so far.  But, I’m in favor of it.  Lois is a swell girl.

                Last night I went to a basketball game at Brentwood High with Sue Russell-a girl from the branch here.  I believe I sad that two Army lads and I were over to her place Sunday after church.  If you don’t mind my saying so-she’s quite a girl.  Built like Lorela Sorenson but has the vitality and looks of Lucille Douglas.  The game sure took me back to the days of yore.  Well my dear-as you see-as ever.

Paul

February 19, 1945 Monday

Dear Skip,

                The weekend is over and it’s back to the Navy.  As you know, I get a “weekend” every other week-starting 5 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Monday morning.  Saturday it was pretty bad weather.  We’ve had the heaviest snow in 7 years according to reports anyway.  But I wanted to get away from it all for awhile so I made my want to town via about 3 thumb rides, a street car, and a bus because as I said close to 20 minutes it is to town.

                I got those pictures that Jim and I took just before we left Jax.  Tell me if you recognize me. If so, in that one picture, it’s an insult.  Then I went over to the Y and got a sack for the night before they were all gone.  By that time the night was pretty well done so I just spent the rest of the time over at the U.S.O. and danced and looked at some magazines.

                Sunday morning I hit the deck about 9:00 but sure didn’t feel like it.  This place is so big you have to ride on a bus for 45 minutes to get anywhere.  We had two very good meetings.  See they hold Priesthood meeting after Sunday School instead of before, because people have to come such a long ways, etc…

                The last word from you was a card and you sure did get a lot of feeling and meaning in a little space.  As for the card Hon, you’re right.  The third time for those age old words.  But you know they’re near my lips almost constantly. Thanks many times Harriet for that candy.  It was very thoughtful of you.  Oh yes, the boys thought so too.  I bet you got that at the Blue Bird.  I’ve been over there-the one on the campus and the one downtown.  Well Young-un, how’s classes and school in general? Same story-you like school but dislike classes?  What have you been doing lately for relaxation, recreation and fun in general? Is the gang still living together peacefully?  Well I’ll write after while my dear-Guard Duty you know.  So till I’m asleep.

Pablo

February 16, 1945 Friday

Dear Skipper,

                It seems as though I’m always sore bid for writing paper.  I guess I’ll have to get on the boat and stock up.  I did pretty well today.  I got two letters.  The mail must have been fouled up because I never got a letter for 3 or 4 days, then today came a letter and the clipping and the awful cute Valentine.  I sure enjoyed that and it made my morale surge.  I am glad to know the funeral fared well but it isn’t good for Lila to take it bad but I guess it can’t be otherwise.

                Hon they don’t call it K.P. duty in the Navy.  It’s Skullery Duty, but thanks to the luck we haven’t seen any and I’m quite certain we won’t.   Well there’s not much to say.  I’ve been working on the engines of those planes in from the Islands.  AS I said, they’re sure beat up and I got a hold of one that has been on fire and the wiring was pretty badly cooked.  I’m still griping too because it seems like I have Guard Duty every other night and 12 to 4 watches at that.

                The only excitement lately was when a Fortress almost crashed into the Hangar today.  See, it’s been snowing bad almost 6 inches and still going strong and he couldn’t find the runway so he had to give it up.  Then a B-29 tried to find the runway but couldn’t make it.  I don’t know where they went; the B-29 Super Fortress was low on gas.  It was the first one I’ve seen and Young-un, it’s nothing less than immense like a train.

                Some of the boys are out on a drunk and they said they were going to give me a nuisance call and wake me up when they came in which will probably be about 3 or 4 in the morning, but they always sleep through chow on a morning like that but about now I’m going to go out and get a bucket of snow and a bit of water and put it on the decks under my sack and see that they get up but quick-about an hour sooner than necessary.  They say he who laughs last laughs loudest!

                Thanks for sending the clipping and program.  I’m sending them back as you wished.  Hon, thanks again for the Valentine.  I did think that was very thoughtful of you and it meant a lot to me.  Tell me Skip, will next Sunday be all right for me to call you, say about 7 o’clock your time.  If you write back that it’s ok, I’ll phone station to station so I’ll save from four bits to a buck and that means you should stick close to where they can find you when necessary.  If that arrangement isn’t ok, give the word because I’ll be aboard all day and night and can latch on to a phone almost any time.  For now as ever.

Pablo

February 15, 1945 Thursday

Dear Harriet,

                Things are as fouled up as they normally are.  Tuesday night I was able to go to mutual for the first time since I’ve been in the Navy.  That is to a civilian mutual. That sure seemed good and I figure I can go every other Tuesday when I’m off.  As you know, I only get off the Base every other weekend.

                I was on Port liberty but I got to thinking that on port liberty I won’t get out at the right time.  Anything that happens are on the nights I can’t get out.  I wouldn’t be off on the Sunday of the first of the month-testimonial meeting and the Saturday they have a fireside chat I wouldn’t be off.  Besides the guys who I could go out with from here are on  liberty.  The guys on Port are just a bunch of wild sailors.

                Well the outcome of all this thinking is that I saw the training office and talked to my Division Officer and got change to Starbid liberty so that makes me happier and means I’ll get to go to church again this Sunday.  Where as I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.  That’s about the only word from here except that I had another Guard Duty and two Big Washes since I last wrote.

                You know, working on planes like I do now that I’m out of school, I find that I get dirty and greasy a lot quicker than when I was in classes. I sure don’t like washing clothes with a scrub brush but I guess a good change always brings a bit of bad with it.  Well so much for that.

                It really isn’t what is on my mind, what I’ve been talking about.  I’ve spent a great deal of time lately thinking about Lila’s misfortune.  No matter how much I think of the situation I always come to the conclusion that it is sad and for those left here on Earth it makes things look quite dismal.  I guess it is awful hard for us mortals to realize that “death is last and greatest gift God can give to men on this earth.”  Probably you’ve already written me as to how Lila took it.  She is alright isn’t she? As you said, it is a Godsend that they were married in the temple.  Well Skip, I’ll close now hoping to hear from you soon and sending all my love.

Pablo

p.s.Darling I can think of no other way to talk to Lila so you will please get this to her.

February 12, 1945 Monday

Dear Harriet,

                This is the day after the weekend before.  I’ve either lost or misplaced my pen so this pencil is next best.  I haven’t gotten a letter for two or three days so one ought to come this afternoon. But I’ll start this now and answer the letter after while.  That is, if I can.  I won’t have much time tonight because I have a watch to stand over at the huts from 1700 till 2000.

                Saturday night they had a large Valentine Party at the Big U.S.O. so I and Gene (one of the boys who was on the same draft as me) went over there for awhile and had a few refreshments and I made a Valentine-as you already know.  All the stores were closed and I didn’t know where to get one so one of the ladies raked up some stuff and some gear to make one.  That’s a new twist and I’m no judge as to how it came out but it was fun.  Then I tried to dance a bit (rusty) because the music was good. They had a large orchestra there.  Then I threw a few darts and watched the floor show.

                They had some small children, even younger than Lou Ella, put on a kind of Cupid skit.  One small lad dressed as a marine and one as a soldier and one as a sailor.  The lucky kid was dressed like a soldier and came down the way with his blonde bride and he kissed her and there was a musical background all the while. You know the cute way small children have when they do things like that.  Then Gene had to get back to the Base so we parted company.  (Between you and I, he was AWOL.  He used Holly’s Liberty card which is a Court Martial offence, but it was my idea and he never got caught). 

I didn’t have to work Sunday so I rented a sack down to the YMCA and stayed in town for the night.  I was a midnight show before I hit the sack. I got up near 8 a.m. Sunday and started out to find the church.  I rode two or three street cars for quite a while (what a big city!) but finally found it.

You know how long it’s been since I went to church Hon? Almost a month and it’s surely surprising how a lads spirit can become starved for religions services like those we know.  Gosh it did seem good to participate once again in LDS services.  I really absorbed the Sunday School and Priesthood meetings.  The people are the same as Mormons everywhere-cordial, extremely friendly, and they make one feel really at home.  After church I teamed up with 6 soldiers from Scott Field.  6 fine guys near my age.  It did seem strange though.  I can’t hardly get accustomed to it ever since I’ve been in the Navy, I’ve been in towns swamped with sailors but here they’re a rarity.  I was the only sailor at church with quite a few army lads and I guess people did think it strange to see 6 jolly soldiers and a sailor walking down the street.  We did feel good because it was a beautiful day.  All the snow has melted and it was almost warm enough to be without coats. Really a bright day.  We had just polished off a chicken dinner and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Hmmm.  

We then went to the zoo.  It’s one of the best zoos I’ve seen the site of.  It is where the St. Louis World’s Fair was. There’s the zoo and an enormous park, etc… Then we went to the building where all of Col. Lindbergh’s trophies are.  A whole building of them received as you know for his flight across the Atlantic. I didn’t know till then that Lambert Field here is where he took off from in “The Spirit of St. Louis” in preparation for his flight.  One of the soldiers took a few snaps of us with his camera.  If possible, you’ll hear more of it.  Then we made it back to night meeting which was also most enjoyable and I know I’m going to be pleased with the church part of my stay here. I almost forgot that they asked me to fill in and help with a double quartet-the 6 soldiers, an army captain and myself.  We practiced awhile after Sunday school and sang the sailors hymn at night.

In the first part of this letter I said I’ll probably get a letter today-I received it just a bit ago and now I don’t feel like writing.  I wish you never would have had to write such a letter.  At such a time I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t written me at such a time Harriet.  I know it must have been hard.  I know also that I can’t feel as you did because you were so close to Lila, but my feelings are deep and as you say-a person can’t write about such things-you have done very well though.  I can’t yet believe or hardly realize what you have told me. I am deeply sorry.  You’ll tell Lila that and though, I don’t know how right now, I will get word to Lila myself. We’ll leave anything more-unwritten for now Darling mostly because of lack of words. 

Yours sincerely dear. 

Pablo