April 16, 1945 Monday

Darling,

                I don’t mind too much returning to my duties after spending a weekend like last.  It makes it a lot easier for a lad to be away from his woman and family-left behind you know.  Eases your mind and raises your hopes.  I received two most enjoyable letters-both Saturday.  It might sound funny but I knew I couldn’t answer until tonight so I saved one until today to open and read.  If you please, I’ll relate the weekend and take up the letters after.

                Saturday, I went up town (St. Louis is quite a ride) to a dance party the Mutual had.  Not a large crowd you know, just a few in the Branch, but oh I did enjoy playing those games and dancing the Virginia Reels.  I guess Mr. and Mrs. Russell knew the Base was far away and I didn’t have a place to go so they asked me to sack in at their home.  Seems I never worry about where I’ll sleep.  I can always find a phone booth somewhere.  I snoozed most enjoyably and Brother Russell and I had a bit of chow in the morn.  Good all home cooked oatmeal he made.  Say what kind a mush do you cook? Can you cook “Germ made?” (That’s what we call it home-don’t know its real name.  Kind of a cracked wheat cereal you cook).

                Naturally I enjoyed and was thankful I could attend Sunday School and Priesthood.  Then I was grateful I was able to eat some delicious chow at Brother and Sister Russel’s after.  You were telling me about the couple you went home with you so you can imagine what those people mean to one, especially so far from home and quite alone when it comes to good people to associate with. 

                Then, during the afternoon I did the fist piece of “lectric” transferring I’ve done since I left home. That is with home appliances-Sister Russel’s waffle iron had developed a few major faults so I dismantled and rewired it.  Sure enjoyed it.  I wasn’t fun-past that-it was enjoyable. Reminded me of how I used to putter with such things at home.

         At night instead of going to church, Sister Russel, Sue and I went to the Kiel Auditorium to see on of the things I reckon I’ll long remember-my first Grand Opera.  This auditorium was one of the largest and most elaborate I’ve ever seen and the stage-oi yoi yoi a thing I dreamed of when I was stage manager.  Naturally I was probably most interested in the stage settings (magnificent), clarinet cadenza, violins, and French horns (perfect).  See, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra played the job and maybe you know better than me that it ranks among the top of the country’s symphonies.  I know you’d have been in the height of your glory if you could have seen it, and believe it or not, the girl-main female who the thing was pretty well built around-looked so very much like you.  Even when I looked through the Opera glasses and it didn’t seem at all fantastic for you to be up there yodeling like her.  Probably you’re more familiar with it than me but anyways it was the grand opera “Rigoletto.”

                Saw you at the Junior Prom Friday. You never paid any attention to me though and I pestered you all night.  This year, what I wouldn’t give to have your check by mine and listen to those records you spoke of.  Seems to me that “always” is almost sacred now.  Don’t ever hear it so much you grow tired of it, Hon.  Thank you an awful lot for the pictures.  They were a surprise to me and please know that I mean they are a couple of the best pictures I have of you.  That splicing pose you kids struck was really cute.  I got a big kick out of that and the lads here ribbed me about it.

                You know full well I don’t mind you being with the lad. Mostly because I know what a different it makes to have one of the opposite sex to associate with.  My thought is how the dang is this humble swab jockey going to compete with a polished college chap? Some pictures of the Army I spoke of.  Some are returned missionaries and every one oft hem have shipped out now. I guess it’s got to be though.  They’re swell lads-some of the best I’ve met or ever hope to meet.  Oh the crowded female picture-we didn’t know her.  Just saw her and a girlfriend taking pictures and decided she needed a little military background.  Naturally the Navy had to supervise this most enjoyable detail.  Don’t think the boys are wolfs.  They are far from that.  It’s just some of our mass foolishness. 

                Please send the snaps of Sue back.  Will comment more on your pictures.  Thanks morn’ I ‘n say.  Till then. “Always.”

Paul

April 14, 1945 *Roosevelt Died*

Dear Harriet,                                                                                                               April 14, 1945

                Right now, one thing that is on my mind is that I’m sorry our flag is half-mast and will be fore 30 days.  I heard just a while ago and believe this country lost one if it’s greatest men in history, and we boys in the service of the United States lost one of our greatest allies on the political front. Let no one say that he didn’t die for his country.  He left his home and family to go to the far corners of the earth many times and put in hours at his work that would try any man’s well being and he gave many years of his life for his country and finally the supreme sacrifice.  I think he would have gotten for us a better more bountiful peace that any other man I know of.  May his reward be great as he once again meets his Creator.  We’ll conduct special memorial services tomorrow.

                Really isn’t a thing to say.  It’s raining a lot here lately. Sure will bring the Mississippi up. Between you and me, I wish it would cover the Base.  If it did, we’d shift our gear to Jefferson barracks for a little vacation.  One year they had to evacuate some of the lads from here in a row boat.

                I hope things are ship shape at the campus and an even keel at the apartment and diplomatic relations are of their best in your little female circle.  Keep on the good course and when a little rough going’ comes, don’t let it jar your compass or get you fouled up. Think of yours now and then and please, a little prayer as to our mutual feeling.  Think I’ll shove off to St. Louis over the weekend.  Heard some noise about a mutual dance, so maybe no mail for a bit.  No excuse for you though my dear. 

All my love.

Paul

April 12, 1945 Thursday

Dear Harriet,

                Yesterday I got another of those Blue letters, but blue only in color.  Very cheerful otherwise.  It seemed that there was a lot more writing on that sheet than usual and I enjoy every word.  You said you weren’t lecturing me and I know you weren’t, but all the same, I had to smile.  First because I don’t deserve the worry if I may call it that.  But I do appreciate your thoughts for my welfare. Second, because I know that you’re quite sure I can handle things for the best and don’t really get in trouble.  I can’t get out of the same if not bettered.  I’m quite sure I’ll fare well on your cooking.  Never fear, it won’t b too long before I’ll be trying it as you mentioned-one of these years. 

Now for a few words on another subject.  You said you weren’t lecturing about me giving the Division Officer the word.  But I’m saying, this is going to be a short lecture-and not just to be different, because you need it, unless you’re teasing me. 

Susan Russell may be quite a girl but confound it, don’t get the idea that I’d never be satisfied with “a small Home town girl.”  In the first place, I’ve been around some and have never seen a girl you couldn’t give the stiffest competition and I don’t say that to make you feel good.  Like my mums said, “It’s better to be a big shot in a little town than a little shot in a big town.”  Take it for what it’s worth and don’t be too quick to forget it. My mother said the same thing-me not being satisfied with things back home.

About Navy College, it’s a blank-the Division Officer you know.  Say, I haven’t heard anything about M. Bowes-DeMille and Kaltenborn and the FBI.  Can you verify or give me anything else on that noise.  We’re lucky to have election lights out here-let along the news, though we do hear headlines like the Russian Jap noise.

                You’re certainly underway with activities-music and social and school.  You deserve it and more and it’ll be forthcoming.  All the luck I can muster or help I can ever offer.  Write soon and ask questions about anything. I’ll see you after while.  Day dreaming and nothing else.  All my love.

Pablo

p.s. Those cards have seen a bit of territory. They have been on my person almost all the time I’ve been gone.  I guess you know what those punch holes mean? Memories?

(Harriet Johns-invitation to all Weber county Ward, Stake, and Inter-Stake Budget Parties for the 1943-1944 Social Season; Weber High Student Body Card 1943-1944 for Paul and Harriet)

April 2, 1945 Monday Portage Des Sioux MO

Well my lovely land lubber.  I’m at the present-not a dry land sailor.  But never the less the sloppy weather never queered the deal for yours truly to have one elegant weekend that he’ll not soon forget.  I was able to navigate over to the Gold ‘n Green rat race and-oi yoi yoi, what a fiesta.  As you may have guessed, I was with Sue. We went over with Mr. and Mrs. Russel.

                It was held in the Ball Room of the Hotel De Sota.  They had an excellent orchestra and really made with a decent mode of music.  Susan was last year’s queen so she crowned this year’s queen.  We lead the crowning procession down a long plush carpet the length of the ballroom-with everything dark but a spotlight.  Naturally, that made us feel so important we couldn’t get our Easter Bonnets on.  (Sailors changed from blue hats to white ones on Easter).

                There was then 5 soldiers with the Maid of Honor or what you call them and the queen.  It was over all too soon and then the Russels asked two soldiers and myself over Easter to a fine dinner and what with two exceptional Easter church programs it sure boosted this chap’s morals and made him feel glad.  Especially so when the people ask you to take part in things.  Like Bob Petty- a son of Dr. Petty of Ogden-who stuck my tooth in).  He’s a Navy Medical student here studying to be a doctor.  Really a swell lad.  He’s Sunday School supervisor.  He asked me to give the prayer Easter morning then in the evening meeting I sang with the chorus-a couple of pretty songs that you’d probably know if I could remember.

                Lately I’ve been stripping rocket gear from a plane from combat and standing more watches.  I’ve received some enjoyable letters from you lately.  A couple of 3 page ones with all the latest word.  One I carried a couple of days and read much.

                Well mama, “since when” gosh I bet that was swell being able to be home and get the alligator sandals and go to your Sunday church and shoot the breeze with your friends and have your birthday dinner home.  It please me lost to have you speak with my people.  They mentioned it in several letters and I know they enjoyed it.  I like to talk to Lila with you.  She probably enjoyed your company-more than you know.

                Say, did I ever tell you my dad worked at the American Can a few years back? It was when I was about 6 I believe.  Those birthday presents sounded nice and I hope mine won’t be too long from now. Unexpected deals make my blood boil.

                Say, that was quite an escapade-all the goodbye’s Marine and all.  I imagine you find Marines to be quite the boys.  I’ve gone to school with them you know.  The only regret is that such times don’t come often enough.  I got a kick out of that Diamond episode. 

                No more good turns daily.  Sue and I went roller-skating-including once when I skated on three points.  The soldier from Logan is Doyle Egan-Student Body President of South Cache-class of ’43 and one sell Joe.  That sleeping on watch we spoke about would probably mean a Court Martial.  I got caught and felt about as uneasy as I have felt for an awful long time.  The officer was swell and I got off easy.  It isn’t no joke and is a very serious manner.  I had 3 watches in 6 days and accidentally fell asleep.  I don’t think it will ever happen again.  Yes, that one Easter I was near you will always live within me. 

My love,

Paul