Tues July 14, 1953
Dear Mom and Dad
How are you. I got your letter tonight with the money. I was sure glad to get it. Thanks a lot. Not much new here. I saw Thunder Bay last night. You would like the picture. I guess I will go tonight and see Hangman's Knot with Randolf Scott. That is really all there is to do.
Margie called tonight and said she might be out this weekend. I hope she can. The weekends get lonesome.
I don't know to much about the school and what I do know I am not supposed to talk about let alone write about. It is something that would really surprise people and it would be a great use to certain people. It would be best not to say anything about it in your letters. I can't say much more. It is sort of a new thing anyway.
I guess when I leave here I will just have four days and I might have to go to Stenman first. I am not sure yet.
Well not much more to say, I will write you later.
(not signed)
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
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
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
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
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.
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.
Monday, February 23, 2015
July 9, 1953
Thurs night
Dear Mom and Dad
Haven't heard from you yet. Guess I will get a letter about Mon or Sat, not much new here. Don't know what I'll do this weekend yet. I might go to Fresno or Oakland.
I went to the White Hat Club last night. That's a club where the Sailors and Waves go here at the base. It's real nice and they have a band here about 3 nights a week. I went with the guy I traded blankets with.
From what I have seen of the Navy I wouldn't mind being in the Navy. It's for four years though.
I haven't gotten any post cards yet. If I find some I'll send them to you.
We had strawberry shortcake for dinner. It's pretty good.
What's new around home. Have you tried anything with the car yet? Well not to much or to say. I haven't done much of anything to tell about. I'll drop you a line later and write me as soon as you can.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom and Dad
Haven't heard from you yet. Guess I will get a letter about Mon or Sat, not much new here. Don't know what I'll do this weekend yet. I might go to Fresno or Oakland.
I went to the White Hat Club last night. That's a club where the Sailors and Waves go here at the base. It's real nice and they have a band here about 3 nights a week. I went with the guy I traded blankets with.
From what I have seen of the Navy I wouldn't mind being in the Navy. It's for four years though.
I haven't gotten any post cards yet. If I find some I'll send them to you.
We had strawberry shortcake for dinner. It's pretty good.
What's new around home. Have you tried anything with the car yet? Well not to much or to say. I haven't done much of anything to tell about. I'll drop you a line later and write me as soon as you can.
Love, Ted
Friday, February 20, 2015
July 7, 1953
July 7, 53 Tues eve 530
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well I got to Fresno about 8 am. We stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico to refuel. I got a bus to Alameda and reported in. I was about the 3rd out of the nine to get here. There are six of us here now. I don't know much except that we will have classes from 8 to 4 and our nights and weekends will be free. There will just be the nine of us to go through the school. This is a nice place here. A lot different from an army camp. We stay in a nice building and eat all we want. I haven't done anything all day. I took a nap this afternoon.
I sure did enjoy myself while I was home. I sure felt bad after I left last night. But I feel better today.
One of the boys from Chicago said his plane stopped in KC and he drank coffee there. It is funny we missed him.
About all there is here are sailors. We eat with them and sleep in the same building with them. I haven't seen any other soldiers around here. It is right on the bay and water is almost all around us. A lot of planes fly off from here. I came over the bay bridge again. It sure brought back memories. It looks about the same.
It was cloudy here this morning and kind of cold. I will try and find some picture postcards of this place and send you.
I don't know if I will be able to come home or not when I finish here. I would like to but I will have to get a hop in order to get home. I will probably have 6 or 7 days when I leave here.
Well don't know much more to say. I will write you again tomorrow. I haven't got my address yet but you can write me at this address for awhile. I'll let you know my new one as soon as I can.
Love, Ted
(note to blog reader: This letter was sent from WP Naval Air Base, Alameda, California.)
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well I got to Fresno about 8 am. We stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico to refuel. I got a bus to Alameda and reported in. I was about the 3rd out of the nine to get here. There are six of us here now. I don't know much except that we will have classes from 8 to 4 and our nights and weekends will be free. There will just be the nine of us to go through the school. This is a nice place here. A lot different from an army camp. We stay in a nice building and eat all we want. I haven't done anything all day. I took a nap this afternoon.
I sure did enjoy myself while I was home. I sure felt bad after I left last night. But I feel better today.
One of the boys from Chicago said his plane stopped in KC and he drank coffee there. It is funny we missed him.
About all there is here are sailors. We eat with them and sleep in the same building with them. I haven't seen any other soldiers around here. It is right on the bay and water is almost all around us. A lot of planes fly off from here. I came over the bay bridge again. It sure brought back memories. It looks about the same.
It was cloudy here this morning and kind of cold. I will try and find some picture postcards of this place and send you.
I don't know if I will be able to come home or not when I finish here. I would like to but I will have to get a hop in order to get home. I will probably have 6 or 7 days when I leave here.
Well don't know much more to say. I will write you again tomorrow. I haven't got my address yet but you can write me at this address for awhile. I'll let you know my new one as soon as I can.
Love, Ted
(note to blog reader: This letter was sent from WP Naval Air Base, Alameda, California.)
Friday, February 13, 2015
June 20, 1953
June 20, Saturday
Dear Mom and Dad
I thought I would drop you a line and let you know what happened. About 20 of us got Signal Crops at Ft Mammoth, New Jersey. I didn’t have to be there until July 14 and we were going to leave here today. The other boys left on the charted plane a little before noon. It would have given me 24 days at home and I would be in the states for 16 or more weeks. I got $203.04 for travel pay.
When we went to pick up our orders they didn’t have any for us. Nine of us altogether. We all knew what had happened then. The deal on the special school came through. They said it would be 3 or 4 days before our orders came through. I was sure sick. I had wanted the other so bad.
About 20 guys got orders for Korea, 20 for Alaska, 10 for Austin, some sort of medical corps and the rest for Europe and Leadership school.. I would have been home tonight sometime.
After everyone left our company commander told us that our orders were for Alameda, California naval station and we were cleared for secret work. We will be in Alameda for 3 weeks and then we go to Camp Stoneman, California to go to Korea. I don’t know what the school is or anything. I get my orders starting Tues 23 June to the 7th of July. I will have 14 days. So I should be home Tues sometime.
I don’t feel as bad now as I did for awhile. I was counting on being home Father’s Day.
We finished up Thur and was graduated Thur evening. I was one of the outstanding soldiers of the cycle. All the squad leaders got to go up before LTC Pruitt and shake his hand and salute and get their diploma from here. I was the only one that was not a squad leader to go up. I was the third one to go up. I was sure surprised.
I had guard duty Wed night. I didn’t write because I thought I would be home by now. Well not much more to say. I’ll be home soon and will sure be glad.
All my love, Ted
PS I got a pass today at noon till tomorrow. I might be able to get away mon night I hope. Everything ok at this end.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
June 14, 1953
Dear Folks
How is everything at home? Everything is fine here. I got the two money orders you sent. I think that should be enough.
We got a pass Sat evening. Martin and I went to Paso Robles hitching hiking and decided to keep going south to some other towns just to see what they were like. The MPs picked us up and gave us a lift to where ever we wanted to go. They said they were going to Santa Barbara so we just went with them. We got there about . It is a pretty nice town. It is right on the coast. When we decided to return to camp we got a ride with a Marine officer as far as Paso Robles.
Well I just have four more days of training. I sure will be glad to get home. I don’t guess you will be getting many more letters from me here. I will be home almost before they get there. I guess you wont send to many more letters either. I might not get them.
I hope I get my orders this next Thur or the weekend. If I don’t I may have to stay here at Roberts for a few weeks or till they come. I haven’t heard anything about that school yet. It may hold me up or something.
Did I tell you they are going to close Camp Roberts
I got a high rating in the field in a Field Forces inspection a few weeks ago.
Will close for now. I’ll try to write you again before long.
Love, Ted
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