March 8 through 14, 1943

Monday 2:30 PM March 8, 1943

Hi Honey:

How are you? I’m going downtown about 5:00 and I wanted to mail this, that’s why I’m writing now instead of tonight. I received two letters today, both of them swell.

Well here we go again, the first thing this morning your Mother called and said that she had called the draft board again and that they had told her that your case doesn’t come up before the board until tomorrow. Now doesn’t that beat all. If I should find out, I’ll send a Special, but I can’t call again. Personally, I don’t think this calling the board is doing or going to do any good at all. I got all excited and upset and everything last week and now this week I’m going to just take it easy. If you get it, you do and if you don’t, you don’t, and there isn’t a thing we can do about it. There is one thing however I would like to suggest. I don’t want to boss you Harlan, but if you do pay your income tax this week don’t pay it, only half of it, because it isn’t necessary to pay all of it at once and then you are taken, maybe the other half will be dropped and besides, Daddie and I only paid half of ours because Daddie said that with this new pay-as-you-go plan, that they may drop the other half because they can’t collect two years income taxed at the same time, so please Honey, Daddie knows what is he is talking about and if you can save yourself a little money, why not. And another thing, what are you going to do with Herman, all of your clothes and your money? If you go, are you going to ship the clothes home, or what, and after you pay your bills are you going to leave your money in the bank, or turn it into bonds, which you could do, or send to me, or what or have you even given it a thought? Please answer.  If it’s true about your case not coming up until tomorrow, it will be another week before you hear.

You know what? I’m eating crackers and cheese. You remember we used to take a stack of them and lay down by the radio and eat them while listening to the radio.

Your mom went to Bondurant today for a couple of days as Opal doesn’t feel good.

It’s cold again today, to be exact 18 above and the ground is all white with snow and wind. Boy it’s more than blowing. I haven’t heard you say much of Herman, aren’t you driving him at all now?

Oh yes Harlan, if you want to send your things here you may, because we still have plenty of room in attic. Both Chuck and Dick have all of their things here and you might as well to. But use your own judgment about it. You’ve got to think about these things because if you don’t you’re going to be caught in a mess.

Now please, write a nice long letter answering all these questions and answer them thoroughly, right? I will try and write again to tonight after I get home from town. I still love you immensely.

Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie

PS Are you by any chance coming home if you get drafted?

Monday 9:30 PM March 8, 1943

Hi Honey,

I just arrived home from town and have tried on all of my new things. I bought a new slip, six pairs of panties for work, Momie bought me a cute little yellow apron for when we get married and then I bought two little hand towels and some thread and I’m going to embroider them for my hope chest. Can’t you just see me sitting on the davenport, embroidering on a little towel for our hope chest and later for our kitchen? Oh well, I’m going to try.

I also mailed your Special, you should get it by early Wednesday morning.

There isn’t any news as for me writing this afternoon, but I thought I’d better drop you a note tonight so you could get a letter Thursday. O.K? O.K!

Oh yes, I bought seven airmail stamps and two Special delivery stamps, and the fellow said, “You must write a lot”, and I said, “It’s a week’s supply”, and he said and “Two specials?” I said, “That’s right”’ he said, “That is either love or hate”, and I said, “the former” and he laughed!

Well Sweets, I hate to, but I better go to bed now, maybe I’ll be lucky and dream of you. I love you very much

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie

PS I love you a lot and miss you terribly

12:30 AM March 9, 1943 Tuesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to you in August. Oh happy August. This is making another one of those lonesome days I hope I’ll never have to spend again. On the way home tonight I had to get in a place out of the rain where I was transferring. Yes, it’s raining again. Getting back to where I was, I had to get out of the rain. I stepped into a doorway. There was a girl that looked a lot like you, only not near as pretty. There was a fellow with her about my size. When I saw them, I got to feeling funny inside, wishing, and wondering why we couldn’t be like that couple, or even like a lot of couples I see every day. Life just isn’t life without you. Just going to shows, playing golf and going to the Y isn’t much fun if you can’t go to them without someone you know. It isn’t any fun to see kids going to shows and dances with someone and then not being able to do that myself. It isn’t any fun either to have to come home every night and be by yourself. Only having yourself to talk to. When I come home from work, I’m always very dirty and usually very tired. I’ll take a shower, and shave, and get a little bite to eat, and write my letters and go to bed. I get up when I wake up.

That is enough of this sob stuff. I’m sorry about writing it but I just can’t help it. It is the way I feel now and by the time you finally get out here it will be worse.

The piece of ribbon I’m sending is from the champagne bottle that christened the USS Miller on March 7, 1943. Please keep it for me, will you?

I love you very much. As yet, I haven’t heard anything from my draft board. I sure wish I knew which I got I-A or II-A. (Fun Fact:  Draft Board Classificiations: I-A Available for Military Service, II-A Registrant deferred because of civil occupation) The worst part about it is the waiting. The radio is playing “When the Lights Go On Again” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzlFaY0s_QI, This was a song of hope looking forward to the end of WWII).

Well Sweets, I better close and get some sleep. In the morning I’m going down to pay my income tax. That is, part of it.

All the love I have I give to you. I wish you were here now. I could really get romantic then.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

The radio is just starting to play “That Old Black Magic” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCC7F-8J6Dk)

March 10, 1943

Hello My Little Sweetheart:

Here it is another day closer to August you. I have just had my shower and although I feel pretty good now, I think I might get galvanized sickness tonight. I was in it all night. The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see 5 feet ahead of you. My nose is kind of sore inside and I did have the chills a while ago. The shower got rid of the chills I think when I get a bite to eat for myself I will be all right. (I hope) I do know one way that could fix it up all right. That would be if you were here with me. If you were here, I’d be well enough so we could maybe go downtown and bowl a couple of games or we could go to bed and then when we get up we could play a little golf before I had to leave for work! Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing things like this in my letters, but I can’t help it, I guess. I love you so much and get so damned lonesome sometimes, that for 2 cents, I’d chuck everything and come back and work for Browns again, just so we could be together. Life just isn’t life without someone you love to be near you all the time.

I’m sending another bond to add to our collection.

Well Darling, if you will excuse me I guess I will go up and grab a bite to eat and then go to bed. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.

Harlan   xxxxooxxxxxo  oooxxoxxoxoxoxoxoxox

Darling, isn’t it funny how I have never gotten tired of kissing you, not even once in all of the 3 1/2 years I have been going, you?

Hello Honey:

I’m back from getting a bite to eat. I found a Special here for me, with strict orders to answer each and every question. Sooo, I guess I had better do just that.

I feel fine now. I think you are right about Mom calling the board. I think it’s kind of silly and I imagine that is what they think too. I’m only going to pay 1/4 my income tax. That way, if I do get drafted, I won’t have to pay it until I get back. If I should get shot or something I won’t even have to worry about it. I suppose I’ll have to sell Herman if I go. There is no place I can leave him out here. I will send my clothes to you because they will probably be safer there than here. I think I will turn my money into bonds if I go. Yes, I remember the cheese and crackers very well. I haven’t heard from the folks for about a week. I drive Herman just once in a while. Dick and I had a ride in him last Sunday. (Right!)

Whether I’ll be coming home if I get drafted or not is something I’ll have to decide later. There’s nothing I would like better. Does that answer them all? Again I say I had better get some sleep. I will finish this page in the morning.

 I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

 I love you very much and miss you something awful.

Love as always with lots of love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harlan

The radio is playing “There Are Such Things” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBmxVnhVW4)

Wednesday 9:00 PM March 10, 1943

Hello Fiancé (I’m your fiancée)

A letter was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They sure have been coming through swell, one every day and Monday I received two. Thanks a lot Honey.

Kay Kaiser is on playing “You’d Be So Nic To Come Home To” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0DUeG1jJM)  I just finished my first towel Harlan and tomorrow night I will start another one. I’m going to try and get a pair of those ‘Him and Her’ towels, don’t you think they would be cute for our bathroom?

I’m kind of surprised that you and Dickie didn’t do more Sunday or what, was Dickie broke? It’s too bad you didn’t get to take some pictures but then I guess I can picture you two in my mind. Don’t forget to send the pictures of the ship if there are any.

Momie says she had a funny feeling all day that something is going to happen. She said she had you on her mind all day too. Soo, now she has me thinking maybe something is going to happen too.

Yes Honey, I know how it is still possible to miss someone, because I still can’t go out but what I miss you too. It’s natural Harlan, because I love you and when one loves a person they want them near constantly, but then I look at your diamond and say someday forever –.

I just called your Mom, but she is still out at Opal’s. Sooo I’ll try again tomorrow night.

The weather here is still the same but somewhat warmer. Boring isn’t it. Well let me see, what else?

 Jeepers, it would be swell if you could come home with Dick if you don’t get another deferment. Then even if you don’t pass the physical, we could make our plans and then when you go back, we could have our date all set, in fact the more I think about it the better I like the idea. In fact that would be just about perfect. I could get some time off and we could have some fun and Rosy and I would be happy again and then maybe you would be contented to wait until August. Oh sure, it would cost money but then life is so short as you said. And even if you do pass the physical, we still could makes our plans maybe for the first furlough.

Oh dear, what am I saying! Well it was a beautiful idea and it is food for thought, don’t you think Harlan? Answer

Well Honey, I guess that’s all. I’m going to send this Special just for you, don’t you think I’m pretty nice? Way sure. Well anyway, I’ve got to go now. I love you, I love you, I love you, and I miss you too.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie

12:30 AM March 11, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I suppose you are wondering all of the time I’m writing this letter. I’m just getting in practice at getting home as fast as I can so when we get married I can really get home to you very soon. I’m not going to miss being with you a second if I can help it. I sure wish you would let me know of this idea of yours as soon as you can. I received a very nice letter today from you. Yes, I will write my honest opinion about your idea on getting married. Know you want to know mind? You do! Okay! I will tell you. You catch the first train out here after I’ve heard from the draft board and we’ll get married. How does that sound? That’s what I thought! Well maybe I can think of a better one. No, I haven’t heard “Every Saturday Night” but I remember a lot of beautiful ones.

I will have to apologize for the letter I wrote last night. I kept It in my pants pocket to mail on the way to work. I put it in the wrong pants. I was going to send it Special so I know you would get it. It has our bond in it. I will mail it in the morning.

Some big shots gave all the welders a talk today on being absent from work. I guess there have been too many days taken off. There are 400 welders who take two days off every week. I have been doing pretty good, not counting the two weeks I took off at Christmas time, I have only missed a half of day. That was when I first started work and I forgot my badge.

Well Darling, there doesn’t seem to be much more news, so I don’t know what else to write about. Oh yes. I talked to a counter today or rather tonight. A counter is one who comes around and measures up your welding each night. Well anyway, he is married and has twin boys. They are about s year old now. One weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz. and the other one weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. when they were born. He told me the formula for getting twin boys. I told him about you and how we planned on having twins. And he said he and his wife did the same thing.

Fun Fact: There are lots of old wives tales to conceive twins.  Some include increasing dairy, eat oysters, eat sweet potatoes, drinking bourbon (pre-pregnancy). No idea what they heard or were thinking.

My dear sweet little girl, as much as I love and miss you, I’m mighty hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will grab a bite to eat. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.

Well, I’m back. I think I would enjoy eating a lot more if you were here to cook it for me and also eat with me. There isn’t any more news, so I guess I had just as well close. I will write again tonight after work.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

I don’t see how I could love you anymore then I do now but tomorrow it will still be greater.

March 10, 1943

Hello My Little Sweetheart:

Here it is another day closer to August you. I have just had my shower and although I feel pretty good now, I think I might get galvanized sickness tonight. I was in it all night. The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see 5 feet ahead of you. My nose is kind of sore inside and I did have the chills a while ago. The shower got rid of the chills I think when I get a bite to eat for myself I will be all right. (I hope) I do know one way that could fix it up all right. That would be if you were here with me. If you were here, I’d be well enough so we could maybe go downtown and bowl a couple of games or we could go to bed and then when we get up we could play a little golf before I had to leave for work! Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing things like this in my letters, but I can’t help it, I guess. I love you so much and get so damned lonesome sometimes, that for 2 cents, I’d chuck everything and come back and work for Browns again, just so we could be together. Life just isn’t life without someone you love to be near you all the time.

I’m sending another bond to add to our collection.

Well Darling, if you will excuse me I guess I will go up and grab a bite to eat and then go to bed. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.

Harlan   xxxxooxxxxxo  oooxxoxxoxoxoxoxoxox

Darling, isn’t it funny how I have never gotten tired of kissing you, not even once in all of the 3 1/2 years I have been going, you?

Hello Honey:

I’m back from getting a bite to eat. I found a Special here for me, with strict orders to answer each and every question. Sooo, I guess I had better do just that.

I feel fine now. I think you are right about Mom calling the board. I think it’s kind of silly and I imagine that is what they think too. I’m only going to pay 1/4 my income tax. That way, if I do get drafted, I won’t have to pay it until I get back. If I should get shot or something I won’t even have to worry about it. I suppose I’ll have to sell Herman if I go. There is no place I can leave him out here. I will send my clothes to you because they will probably be safer there than here. I think I will turn my money into bonds if I go. Yes, I remember the cheese and crackers very well. I haven’t heard from the folks for about a week. I drive Herman just once in a while. Dick and I had a ride in him last Sunday. (Right!)

Whether I’ll be coming home if I get drafted or not is something I’ll have to decide later. There’s nothing I would like better. Does that answer them all? Again I say I had better get some sleep. I will finish this page in the morning.

 I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

 I love you very much and miss you something awful.

Love as always with lots of love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harlan

The radio is playing “There Are Such Things” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBmxVnhVW4)

Wednesday 9:00 PM March 10, 1943

Hello Fiancé (I’m your fiancée)

A letter was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They sure have been coming through swell, one every day and Monday I received two. Thanks a lot Honey.

Kay Kaiser is on playing “You’d Be So Nic To Come Home To” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0DUeG1jJM)  I just finished my first towel Harlan and tomorrow night I will start another one. I’m going to try and get a pair of those ‘Him and Her’ towels, don’t you think they would be cute for our bathroom?

I’m kind of surprised that you and Dickie didn’t do more Sunday or what, was Dickie broke? It’s too bad you didn’t get to take some pictures but then I guess I can picture you two in my mind. Don’t forget to send the pictures of the ship if there are any.

Momie says she had a funny feeling all day that something is going to happen. She said she had you on her mind all day too. Soo, now she has me thinking maybe something is going to happen too.

Yes Honey, I know how it is still possible to miss someone, because I still can’t go out but what I miss you too. It’s natural Harlan, because I love you and when one loves a person they want them near constantly, but then I look at your diamond and say someday forever –.

I just called your Mom, but she is still out at Opal’s. Sooo I’ll try again tomorrow night.

The weather here is still the same but somewhat warmer. Boring isn’t it. Well let me see, what else?

 Jeepers, it would be swell if you could come home with Dick if you don’t get another deferment. Then even if you don’t pass the physical, we could make our plans and then when you go back, we could have our date all set, in fact the more I think about it the better I like the idea. In fact that would be just about perfect. I could get some time off and we could have some fun and Rosy and I would be happy again and then maybe you would be contented to wait until August. Oh sure, it would cost money but then life is so short as you said. And even if you do pass the physical, we still could makes our plans maybe for the first furlough.

Oh dear, what am I saying! Well it was a beautiful idea and it is food for thought, don’t you think Harlan? Answer

Well Honey, I guess that’s all. I’m going to send this Special just for you, don’t you think I’m pretty nice? Way sure. Well anyway, I’ve got to go now. I love you, I love you, I love you, and I miss you too.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie

12:30 AM March 11, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I suppose you are wondering all of the time I’m writing this letter. I’m just getting in practice at getting home as fast as I can so when we get married I can really get home to you very soon. I’m not going to miss being with you a second if I can help it. I sure wish you would let me know of this idea of yours as soon as you can. I received a very nice letter today from you. Yes, I will write my honest opinion about your idea on getting married. Know you want to know mind? You do! Okay! I will tell you. You catch the first train out here after I’ve heard from the draft board and we’ll get married. How does that sound? That’s what I thought! Well maybe I can think of a better one. No, I haven’t heard “Every Saturday Night” but I remember a lot of beautiful ones.

I will have to apologize for the letter I wrote last night. I kept It in my pants pocket to mail on the way to work. I put it in the wrong pants. I was going to send it Special so I know you would get it. It has our bond in it. I will mail it in the morning.

Some big shots gave all the welders a talk today on being absent from work. I guess there have been too many days taken off. There are 400 welders who take two days off every week. I have been doing pretty good, not counting the two weeks I took off at Christmas time, I have only missed a half of day. That was when I first started work and I forgot my badge.

Well Darling, there doesn’t seem to be much more news, so I don’t know what else to write about. Oh yes. I talked to a counter today or rather tonight. A counter is one who comes around and measures up your welding each night. Well anyway, he is married and has twin boys. They are about s year old now. One weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz. and the other one weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. when they were born. He told me the formula for getting twin boys. I told him about you and how we planned on having twins. And he said he and his wife did the same thing.

Fun Fact: There are lots of old wives tales to conceive twins.  Some include increasing dairy, eat oysters, eat sweet potatoes, drinking bourbon (pre-pregnancy). No idea what they heard or were thinking.

My dear sweet little girl, as much as I love and miss you, I’m mighty hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will grab a bite to eat. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.

Well, I’m back. I think I would enjoy eating a lot more if you were here to cook it for me and also eat with me. There isn’t any more news, so I guess I had just as well close. I will write again tonight after work.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

I don’t see how I could love you anymore then I do now but tomorrow it will still be greater.

1:30 AM March 12, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to August in you. Oh happy August. To begin with this letter is going to be kind of short. I’m not feeling so good and have to go down town in the morning and pay my income tax. I had a lawyer fix it out for me. He saved me about $35. He charged me $5 for both state and federal.

There was a letter here from you when I got home. I sure get a kick out of some things you say. For instance ‘He said, “that is either love or hate” and I said, “the former” and he laughed. Just kidding you a little. I went downtown yesterday morning and decided I would go to the show I thought “Hitler’s Children”.

If it comes to Des Moines you ought to see it. With the show they had a stage show with Jan Gaber and his orchestra, Edgar Bergman and Charlie McCarthy, Billie Gilbert. Billie Gilbert is that fat fellow who is always sneezing. I sure wish you could have gone with me.

There isn’t any news of my deferment as of yet. Darn it. This waiting is what really bothers me.

Well Darling, I have to just shave yet and I am really tired, so I guess I had better close for now. I love you so much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

Good night my little Sweetheart. I wish I didn’t have to say that on paper.

Friday 5:15 PM March 12, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well here it is again Friday night, time to write your Sunday Special.

You’re Special of Wednesday, March 10 was here waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They came not long after I left for work this morning. Jeepers! Thanks a lot. It was very sweet of you to send it Special and especially to answer all of my questions. I sure hope you weren’t sick after you wrote it. Your idea of bowling and golf in the morning is a grand one. We will have a lot of fun Honey when I get out there, golf, swimming, bowling, writing, sightseeing, parking, talking, and laughing and being together once again. Oh yes Harlan, the day will come, don’t you worry. I had an awful lot of fun today at work. I laughed so hard at got a headache it wasn’t at anything in particular. Marian and I were both tired and we were silly. Which reminds me, ahem-er, well to get to the point, I didn’t write you last night because I went out. Rosemary called and we went down to Yonkers for dinner and then to see “Hitler’s Children” then over to the Green Parrot for T.C. (Tom Collins).

It’s the first time I haven’t written since you left (I think) and I thought you would understand, and you do don’t you? When I arrived home it was 11:30 and 5:45 AM rolls around sooo fast. Forgiven? Swell.

Your Mom called this morning and said that she had called the board again and they said they hadn’t had time to try your case and it would come up again next Tuesday. Do you suppose we will ever find out? I’m about going crazy.

The weather here is swell again, it’s about 45 out and the sun is very bright and the sky very blue, but enough of that.

Well let’s see, what else. Nothing I guess. There isn’t any news. I’m fine, how are you? I think I better go now as I’m going to the store and want to get this in the box. I love you so very, very much and miss you as much. Someday I’ll tell you that every night just before we go to sleep, only I won’t miss you then only when you are at work.

Goodbye for now and be careful.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie 

Yes I do think it’s funny you never get tired kissing me through the 3 & ½ 3 years 7 months we have gone together but I wish you were here so I could prove that I’ll never get tired of your kissing me.

Goodnight Fiancé, Love, all I have  Janie

I received the bond, that makes it $150 in bonds together.

12:39 AM March 13, 1943 Saturday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day and another Special for my little girl. There isn’t much news, so I don’t know just exactly what I’m going to write about. But I will try to do my best.

I received a letter today just before I left for town. I will answer your questions first of all. I’m sorry about you cutting your finger. I remember the night I cut your forehead with my fingernail. I also remember a lot of other nights too. What are you embroidering on the towels? I think it’s very good idea.

Yes, Darling I realize I have never told you whether or not I want a deferment. That is something that is very hard to decide.

You see Darling, I’m a man. I would like to be in the service for one thing and one thing only. That is to really fight for my country. If I could help to bring peace to my country by giving up my life, I would gladly do it. I don’t want to go into the service and have to do office work or some kind of work were you are shut up a lot. If it wasn’t for my hearing, I would be in now. I realized a long time ago, even when the war first began that I would never be any good in actual combat. It is entirely up to my draft board to decide whether I would be of more value to the country in the service or where I’m at. The yard I’m at is very short, short of help, especially welders. Bethlehem has the highest priority rating of any defense plant in the United States. The ships are used as escort ships to convoys and transplants and they are the best ships for the fighting U-boats, they are the fastest ships in the water, the British have lost some 481 fighting ships. Only 18 were of the type we are building. Thiers are not as fast or well-constructed.

An average amount of footage put out by welders in the shipyards around the bay area is around 40 or 50 feet at night, and the welding is never or rather never has to be passed by the Navy. Our yard averages about 95 or 100 feet. Most of all, it is almost or is perfect. On real good, welding my averages around 110 to 115 feet. Tonight I ran 126 feet. Bethlehem welders are supposed to be the best in any shipyard in the US. I’m not bragging or anything because it is in actual fact. My welding is about 10 times as good as it was when I started because they just make you weld good. As most welders will put it, if you asked them if they can weld something, sure I can weld it, I can weld anything except a couple of bricks.

The way I feel now is that if I could, I would like to be somewhere doing some real fighting, simply because I’m really lonesome. There doesn’t seem to be anyone I can talk to or go out with except Dick and he gets off every other Sunday. That helps a lot on that one Sunday but as soon as he leaves to go back to the island, I feel the same way all over again. However I’m very thankful that I can work and save something so we can get married. I can also thank God that I have a girl is nice and sweet it is you waiting for me. Jane I don’t believe I will ever be able to tell you or show you in any way how much I love you and miss you. All I can say is that I love you very much. You are the only girl I have ever loved or ever will love.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

Good night Sweetheart

Have you heard the song “Why Do I Love You?”

Need to Know: Harlan (Johnny) had rheumatic fever as a child which damaged his inner left ear)

9:15 PM Saturday, March 13, 1943

Hi Honey:

Well here I am again, only this time I’m at work. I had a little time so I thought I would drop you a note. Marian is standing over there are at one of the machines laughing at me. I haven’t figured out why yet. It’s raining here this morning and it’s terrible. I had to drive the car out this morning because it’s Don’s week and off and everyone else has Sunday off in my neighborhood. Kathleen wrote out with me, we had the radio on, and the rain was pouring down. Jeepers, it sure would’ve been nice if it had you been you instead of Katy. Oh well.

The song “You Are Always In My Heart” has been going through my mind all day. Well what do you know? Got to go, someone just yelled ‘primer’ which means me.

Hello again. Marian took care of it. Everyone and is trying to read this, nosy aren’t they. I’m back again. Oh? You didn’t know I left, did you? Well the machines ran out and I had to fill them. My boss is standing right behind me, but he thinks I don’t know he is there. I wonder what he is going to say. There he goes, he just laughed and walked by. He’s swell – – when he’s in the right mood.

Well we just had a double explosion and fire!  Some fun.  I was back in the primer room when Bang Bang Boom and then came the fire. I thought I would die laughing at Marian as she ran out the door before the third boom and then she was really sorry because she didn’t get to see the fire. Two tool-setters put it out and everything is back to normal now. Be right back.. Here I am! Oh Marian is now writing to Wesley now too.

Oh good, it stopped raining. Rosy and Little Dickie Jr. are coming over tonight. By the way what are you doing today and is it raining?

Eva is in a bad mood today. She went out last night didn’t get in until about 2:00 and is she dead, you bet!

Now let’s see what else. I just heard a cute joke but it’s kind of dirty so I will repeat it in paper. Besides nice little girls don’t tell dirty jokes to their boyfriends and I’m a nice little girl, aren’t I honey? Don’t answer.

This is sure a dull old day. Marian and I can’t even get in the grove. I wish you were here.

Well Sweets, its 10 o’clock, time to blow out the machines so I better close. I love you, I miss you and I _____ _____. Goodbye for now.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie

PS love and kisses too

2:00 AM Sunday, March 14, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another week closer to you and __? When I got home from work tonight there were two Specials are for me. First of all I will answer them as I go along. I also been thinking about some towels for our bathroom with ‘His and Hers’ on them. I thought maybe that was what you were putting on the ones you were embroidering. Dick and I maybe go maybe didn’t do very much last Sunday but what we did was a lot of fun and I think he got an awful big kick out of it. Yes, it would be nice if I could come with Dick, but I don’t think it will be possible. Yes, it is food for thought, but if I don’t get another deferment, why don’t you come out here? It would be the same thing only better, I think. Even if I do get one you could come out anyway. That is the food for thought too. Don’t you think? How did you like ‘Hitler’s Children”? I believe I told you I saw it the other morning before work. It was very good I thought although it was a propaganda picture. I’m glad you received the bond. I have two more that are paid for, but I haven’t gotten them yet. That makes $200 in bonds we have. I have $310 in the bank, and my first installment of my income tax is all paid for.

Well Darling, it is getting very late so I guess I will trot off to bed. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan

PS I made out again tonight

PS Good night Sweetheart

Good morning Darlin’:

Well how is my little doll this morning? Fine I hope. The sun is out but it sure is windy, and I think I will go out and play a little golf. Jeepers, I sure am sleepy. I can’t figure out why. Gosh, I wish you were here now. This is going to be another one of those Sundays that I dread. Those darn Sundays, I look forward to them and when they get here I’m kind of sorry they came. Dick is coming in next Sunday, so it won’t be so bad.

Well Sweets, I hate to be the one to say it, but I think I’d better close I will write again when I get home tonight. I love you very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s    Harlan