July 13, 1953

July 13, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got your letters today.  I got 3 at noon and one tonight.  We get our mail twice a day.  I guess I will write Martin a line tonight.  How soon do you get my mail?  I seem to get yours fast.

Do you remember that Sergeant Sipes that was an ROTC instructor at Northeast.  His nephew his here with me.  I was talking about ROTC and he said his uncle us to be an instructor there.  That is how I found out.  I remembered him, he was a Regular Army man.

My work here is real interesting, I enjoy it but would just as soon be learning something else more practical and perhaps useful for when I get out.

So you have not had any luck selling my car.  Hope you don't have to much trouble.

I went to the show last night and saw Raiders of the 7 Seas.  It was just a so so picture. I have seen better.

The weather here is about the same.  Sometimes it is foggy in the morning but it doesn't last long.

I think I will go to the show tonight.  They have Thunder Bay at 8 pm with James Stewart.  It should be good.

I sure see a lot of jets here.  The Navy Banshes is one.  They use to use the J34 engine in it like we made at work.  I think they still do.  I watched some take off the other day.  They sure travel.

Well can't think of much to write about.  I will write again tomorrow,  Keep your letters coming.
Love, Ted

July 12. 1953

Sunday July 12, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

How is everything at home?  Haven't heard anything from you yet.  I got a letter from Margie Friday night.  Probably hear from you Monday.  Thurs night I went to the show here and saw The City is Dark and Hiawatha.  They were good shows.

Fri night Theirderman and I went to Frisco and stayed over there. Went down town and fooled around.

Arlene told me that Kenny Kerkham was working out here in Frisco with his sister.  That is Arlene's dad's brother and sister.  They told me she owned the Rainbow Restaurant.  I had forgotten all about it at the time and we were sitting in a place drinking a beer Friday night and I saw Kenny in there.  I was sure surprised.  I have known him for a long time.

Sat we went to the Rainbow and saw Gladys his sister.  They really have a swanky place.  Dinning room and bar.  She told us to come back later but we didn't.  I might go there again before I leave.  You might tell Arlene.

Saturday we rode on a cable car and went to China Town.  Looks about the same.  We must have driven out of our way a lot when we all went there because it is right down town almost.

I kind of got a thrill riding the cable car.  You should have rode on it when you were here.

We then came on back to town to a 3D movie.  The Maze.  It was a pretty good picture.

You said something about Clift House once.  That is a modern restaurant now over looking the Seal Rocks on the the Pacific.  It use to be a resort in the 1890's.  I didn't see it but read about it in a pocket guide.  It must be a nice place.

We came on back to Alameda last night.  Here they serve breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30.

I bowled a line this afternoon with the boys and that's about all.  I might take in an early show tonight and go to bed.

The weather is sure nice here.  Gets cold at night and about 80 in the day.  What's it like back home?  I like here OK compared to Roberts.  We go to class at 8:30 till 4 pm and get 1 1/2 hour for lunch.

I think next weekend if I go to town I will wait till Sat night.  I spent about 20 dollars this week.  I will have to take it easy.  I am not sure what I will do the week after this coming weekend.  I may go to Steneman. I will let you know.  Some guys stay there a week and some for a month before their orders come through.  Some of the guys are being sent to Okinawa.  Hope I can get some place like that other than Korea.  It would not be bad to stay in Japan.  I wouldn't mind getting my orders changed to some place else too.  They do that once in awhile.

Well not much more to say.  Hope to hear from you real soon.  I will write you more tomorrow.
Love, Ted

PS The picture I took of myself is in Fresno.