March 19, 1945 Monday

Dear Harriet,

                You’re probably wondering if I got fouled up or something.  Nope, I’m still on the turf but I’ve been on the beach quite a bit lately so I wasn’t where I could get the word to you.  Friday night the Bankers of St. Louis gave a big shin dig over at the DeSoto Hotel so I went over at that and while I was there, some Joe gave me a piece of paper that I could go down and get anything I wanted to eat.  It was in a big swanky chow hall on the Bottom Deck of the hotel and boy what chow.  I had some things with a French name on it.  What it really amounted to was an omelet of about four eggs with shrimp sauce all over and a couple of dishes of vegetables and a few other dishes of this and that. I’m stuffed.

                When the affair was secured, I ran across a fellow electrician-an instructor out here and he was so drunk he couldn’t even stand up without capsizing.  He is about as old as my father and sure was disgusting, although a bit comical.  I figured he’d get fouled up some way if I didn’t take care of him and get a captains mast or something so I helped him navigate back to the Base and didn’t get in until night onto 0200.

                Saturday I rated the weekend as Susan Russel, whom you’ve heard about, and I sailed over to the “arena” and went skating.  I had more fun than for a long time and only got scuttled once.  Sunday a Mormon soldier from Logan and I hiked around together.  We shot some pool and ping pong at the U.S.O. after church and then saw “The Keys of the Kingdom” and “A Soldier Came to Dinner.”  Both very good.  It seems to me you saw the first. It was a religious picture of the hardships of a Christian missionary in China-very inspirational.

                When I came back to the Base, I had a 3 page letter that sure made me feel good.  It was well worded and I enjoyed it more than usual.  I guess I read it for an hour.  The call I made Station to Station and only took near a half an hour to get through.  I really haven’t much time.  I’ve got to get some sleep-a 12-4 watch tonight so if this is a bit disconnected, don’t mind too much.

                That certainly was a good deal for Donna’s boyfriend to ship back to the States and it made me so glad to hear in a later letter that Howard is back.  I know what that will mean for he and Zelma alike.  Now he can get acquainted with his young-un.  Say, you’ve sure had clear sailing lately.  The Gold and Green Ball and getting the Radio and then that lengthy vacation serves you right for being my good girl.  Can you imagine us weathering it out together.

                I’m sure sorry I got fouled up on the birthday hon.  I guess though it’s a man’s well exercised right-to forget dates.  I’ve started already.  I just as well tell you that what I’m making for your birth commemoration will not get there on time.  I haven’t even got it finished, let alone mailed.  I hope you’ll understand.  It’s taken quite a little time to shape things up and I’m sorry it won’t make the 27^th.  Yah you a better man than me my unhappy even was the 2^nd of the 6^th month.  2 from 6 leaves 4-the day we’ll always remember as our merging.  Thanks for giving me the word on the home love angle.  I heard a rendition of “My Task” Skip, quite a song.  That was funny, us seeing that show “I’ll Be Seeing You” almost the same time.  Well sweet dreams, my thoughts Darling.

Paul

March 14, 1945 Wednesday

Dear Cap’n,

                I’m in somewhat of a mood tonight.  I won’t explain it because I know you know that feeling better than I can explain.  The reason is because I saw “I’ll Be Seeing You”-Joseph Cotton, Ginger Rodgers, Shirley Temple.  Fine show about a soldier on a furlough.  How they danced on New Years and had dinner at home on Christmas and hiked or walked like we did on Easter and just so many things that use to be ours.  The men who make the movies do good work because they can make the feeling come up in a lad fitten to make his heart beat right through.  Just like I’d care for to squeeze you into a tantrum,  I’ll let it go at that.  Just so I’ve made the fact known that my mind is full of memories and thoughts and my heart full of feelings.

                In some ways, I’ll be glad when my relief comes and these weeks of temporary duty is up and I can go back to the Hanger.  I’ll miss all this sack time though, working from 0800 in the morning until 1000, 3 hours off for chow and in the afternoon from 13 til 1500 5 hrs-the rest sack duty.  I spend it writing to a lot of people I wouldn’t otherwise-my uncle Ace in Germany, etc… Then reading that 700 page book.  Most reading since I’ve been in the Navy.  Sure like to read.  Wish I could do more.  Well sweetheart I’ll get this squared away now.  As ever,

Paul

Tell the gang hello.

March 13, 1945 Tuesday

Dear Harriet,

                I’ve got an idea.  This letter will be another stingy one.  Maybe I can explain why you don’t get mail on a weekend sometimes.  See we go ashore Saturday afternoon and don’t get to write that night because it’s so far back to the Base that I just stay over to the YMCA.  Then I don’t get back until Sunday night and write Monday.  It goes out Tuesday so that’s quite a stretch and no eloping.  It’s against my constitution.

                It sounded like you were a little bitter about that game with BYU.  Don’t know as I blame you.  That was rugged duty. So you got P.T. by tap dancing what? You teach that class good so you can give me the word and teach me when I wander back to the Home Port.  And I imagine how you’re eager for the next quarter. Something like when we’re wondering about our next Base.  Only finish off this quarter and get it squared away ok.  Not by sluffing, just because you like the weather.  All the snow’s gone here and almost all the mud too.  I’ve been in short sleeves for quite awhile.  You give me the word on the Gold and Green Ball.  Only wish I was going too.  Maybe I can to the one here the 31^st, if so it’ll be the first church dance for a long, long time. I’ll leave my love.

Paul

March 13, 1945 Tuesday

Dear Skip,

                I want to be where you is instead of where I be.  Because I are where you is not and it ain’t no place for me.  I used to think the world was great but now I think it isn’t for I have gone where you is not and left you where I isn’t.  Kid stuff darling? Thoughts ‘n Love.

Paul