April 17,1944 4:10 a.m.
Dearest Helen,
Here it is about morning again and I have been unlucky enough to get a fire watch the first night here. I started at 2:00 a.m and must watch that no fires break out in our dormitory until 6:00 in the morning. We have no one that checks us here so we can do about anything while on watch. We have to make a report each hour while on watch.
It is sure a swell night here darling I sure wish that you all could be here also then the night would be perfect.We do not have to wear our pea coats and will soon be in whites that is if we stay here long enough. They have a big navy yard here and employ a lot of civilians as our barrack is a unit that is located near civilian houses and it doesn't seem near like Sampson.
Darling it is hard to tell just what is in store for us fellows here, but we do know that where we are is a point of embarkment for the Navy. Here men are sent to all ports but this will be our home port if we get shipped out. Which will probably be real soon as most men are here waiting ships to sail on.
I believe that most of us fellows will get to go to some Island, as we are all special assignment. Even if I do have to go to some place it will be better than going on sea duty. The only bad part about it all is that it will be impossible to come home if I do get leave, but it seems that it is impossible even where I am at, so if it does mean staying away for the duration just hope and pray that this awful thing will be over soon, because darling there isn't anything in this whole wide world that even begins to compare with being able to live at home with you, I would gladly do most anything to have that privilege again but we must be brave and broad minded enough to realize that for the sake of our children and homes are worth the sacrifice we are facing.
Regardless of where I go I shall always have a very vivid picture of a dear and loving wife and two of the sweetest children in the world so dearest remember that and I shall look ahead with the happy thought of our past and to our future again.
I just came back from chow dinner Gee darling the food is simply wonderful here and they treat a fellow like a human being we have sugar, bread, butter and all the milk, tea or coffee to drink we want. If I only had you near here they could keep me here forever. No details only one fine watch maybe once a week till we leave and can play tennis, basketball, baseball, horseshoe or watch movies if a person cares too. Above all nice sunny weather so perhaps I can be glad for this anyway how about.
Dearest write me as soon as you can and if I am not here my mail will be forwarded to me from here. I shall really be glad to read all about what goes on at home so don't delay waiting. I hope that you have already.
Tell all the neighbors that I am well and hope to hear from them all soon.
I suppose Glen is still home yet will tell him I hope he is as lucky as I am in getting out of O.G.V. after he gets back to Great Lakes tell Emery that I hope Paul an all are well. I suppose Paul and boys will be coming home soon. Lucky Boys!
Well dearest I guess I am about winded so will sign off for now, hoping to be hearing from you soon. So good bye for now I shall try my best to send out a letter as to where I will go so keep your chin up and Ill be able to be a lot happier in keeping that in mind.
Tell little Denny and Janice to be good for Daddy and to think about him as daddy is thinking about them. Hope that you will soon have the house off your mind before long so that all you have to do is think about your sailor. Ha. I am sort of selfish in saying that ain't I dear, I know that you to must have lots on your mind, but don't worry about me darling as I shall try to take care of myself and with the lord on our side I am sure that all will be well. So tell my address to all that want it and don't forget to tell them to write.
Here is a big kiss and hug to all from Daddy, along with all the love that is possible to go with them. I am
Your Loving Sailor, Daddy
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