12:45 AM April 1, 1943

Hello Sweetheart:

Well, another month has just brought us a little bit closer together. I have a little bad news for you. I have to report for my physical on next Tuesday. I guess it is my induction too as they have no more second physicals. I’m a bit confused as to what to do. I’m going to try to sell Herman either tomorrow or the next day. I will probably have to quit on Monday.

Work went on as usual today, only it was a little harder. I had to weld a foundation in the engine room, and it was very small and hard to get into. I tore one of my sleeves in my leather jacket so I guess I will have to have it sewn up tomorrow before work.

I didn’t get a letter today, so I don’t have any questions to answer. Dick called me this morning and as you probably already know, he didn’t get his leave, not yet anyway. If he doesn’t leave by Sunday, we will spend the day together.

Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing what I did begin with. It is just April Fools’ Day and I couldn’t resist it. I received my note from the board. It does say 1-A. I hope I didn’t scare you too much by writing what I did, and you can be mad at me a little if you want to, but it won’t be much fun making up. At least it won’t be as much fun as it used to. Do you remember the time you got mad at me for kicking you? We were going out with Donna and Frank? You told me to go home. Oh, did I feel low. I was just about ready to cry when I walked out to the car and started to leave and then you came out and said you didn’t mean it. I was sure one happy fellow.

Well Sweets I guess I had better close now as I’m almost out of paper and I have to drop a line to Josie and one to the folks, and this is almost my last sheet of paper.

The night tonight is just about perfect. There is only one thing wrong with it. That is that you are not here to be with me and really enjoy it. If I should happen to not have to go to the Army, we will join this golf club but here and next year you and I will enter the City Tournament just for fun. You in the women’s and myself in the men’s. We could have a lot of fun even if we didn’t happen to win it.

All the love I have I give to you. I saw you at 8 tonight. See you again tomorrow night.

Love & xxxxxs Harlan

PS Have you heard “Harry James Velvet Moon” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj99A3tOhgY) listen to it sometime.

Fri. 3:00 P.M. April 1, 1943

Hi Honey:

Gosh, here it is Friday again time for another Special for my Honey. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy and that it is a nice sunny Sunday.

First of all, I must tell you and apologize for not writing last night but Eleanor and I went to a show last night and she came home with me for all night and it was quite late, and we were both tired so neither of us wrote. I thought to myself ‘Harlan won’t mind too much if I don’t write tonight’.

We didn’t get up until 1 o’clock. Eleanor has gone home, and I put up my hair, wash my clothes and here I am. We girls are going out tonight. Eleanor, Barbie, Udy, Trinkie, and myself are going to the Tally Ho for dinner and I am going to have meatballs and spaghetti, Yum Yum. We haven’t been out there since way before Christmas and we are all going to dress up. Imagine me dressing up. I haven’t had a skirt on but about twice since you were home.

Your Special came this morning, Momie woke me up and I thought sure you had heard from the board out there. But it wasn’t, so thanks for the Special because I wouldn’t have received a letter at all if it wasn’t for that. And Oh Yes, the Bond too. $225 now.

Eleanor just called and we are going to wear slacks, yes we are, because Udy has no hose and my shoes hurt me and oh a half a dozen reasons, any way we are wearing sports cloths, oh happy day!

Saturday, I change shifts. I get off of work at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, have to be back to work at 12:00 AM then get off at 8:00 A.M. Sunday morning. Oh, how I hate it, but I can sleep all day Sunday.

Yes, maybe I should have gone to the dance Saturday night, but I couldn’t have any fun without my Honey, so I would rather stay home.

Well my gosh, I’m sure glad to hear you are cleaning up little old Herman. I’m ashamed of you letting him go. Harlan, I have a favor to ask of you. If you pass your physical you will naturally sell Herman, but please don’t let him go until I get out there and ride in him just once more. Please?

Which reminds me Harlan, in your letter of Sunday night you didn’t say much about me coming out. I mean you didn’t seem very enthusiastic. I’ve been thinking maybe you don’t want me to come out, that sounds all wrong, but you just said so very little about it. It made me wonder.

Did you write Monday night? If you did, I didn’t receive it.

Oh for gosh sakes Honey, I don’t know, what is the matter with me. This is Thursday, not Friday. This can’t be your Sunday Special because you will get this Saturday, but I will send it special anyway. Gosh I’m sorry Honey. I sure am nuts. If I send you the Special, you won’t get any Monday, and if I don’t send it Special you won’t get any on Saturday because I didn’t write last night. What a mess. I will send it Special, so that’s that. But don’t expect a letter Monday. I’m sorry Hon.

It sure is a swell day today, about 75 and sunny with white clouds all around. I only hope they don’t join thus causing a cloudy evening. I’ll be thinking of you and at 10:00 (Do you still go out on the deck?)

I was going to buy you one of those wind breaker jackets but I decided to save every penny I can so’s to have plenty if I come out soon.

I found another picture of my fur coat, would you like to see it? O.K. Here it is.

Well Sweets I have used a lot of paper but am afraid haven’t said much, just tried to get your Mom but no answer.  She called me last night, but I wasn’t home.

Dick isn’t home yet. Rosie received a letter from him yesterday saying he had received his orders yet so don’t know when he’ll be home. Maybe he will call you Saturday or Sunday if he is still there.

Well Sweets, I better go now as I have to press my slacks suit.  Be sure and let me know as soon as you hear.  Momie sends her love and says hi.  If you have some time, you might drop her a line Honey.

I miss your you terribly Darling, even yet and love you very, very much. Last night Eleanor and I were telling each other about Don and you, and I told her about what we did when you were home Christmas, and it was like living those happy days all over again. I’ll be so happy when we are together again.

Bye for now Sweetheart.  Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie

PS: Harlan, if you are taken, what are you going into? Army, Navy, Coast Guard etc.? Please answer.  Love Janie

This is my day off, that’s why it so early….

P2 That” I miss you terribly even yet” is a mistake, as if I could ever stop missing you because I love you!

(Fun Fact:  The original owner of Vic’s Tally Ho was Vic Talerico.  After its opening in 1939, It was “the place to go” and was quite the dinner club where great food (like steaks, spaghetti and sausage, French-fried shrimp) was served and many memories were made.  It operated from1939 to 1971.  The original building was destroyed by fire in 1962, but it was reopened a year. After Vic passed away in 1971 the restaurant was closed permanently.  That is until 2020 when Vic’s son Jerry Talerico and his daughter, Sophia Talerico opened Tally-Ho to Go, which pays homage to his fathers restaurant and offers classic Italian food, it is currently in operation.  Below is the original 1940 and subsequent 2020 logo.  Find out more on their website: https://www.tallyhotogo.com/)

1:00 AM April 2, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to August or? to the sweetest little girl this side of heaven. Oh how I miss you on nights like these. There will never be another girl like you. I have a date tomorrow morning with a couple of fellows at the yard to play golf. They both played in the City Tournament this year and went to the finals. One of them has a wife that is playing in the Women’s Tournament.

I worked on Herman all morning today before work. He sure looks well. I still have a little more to do but I won’t be able to until Saturday or Sunday after I get paid. I’ve already spent five dollars on things to clean it with. I think I’ll get a set of seat covers for it like you your Father’s.

I haven’t heard from Dick yet, so I don’t know if he has left for home or not. If he doesn’t, he’s coming in Sunday.

Well Sweets, I’m kind of tired and very hungry so if you will excuse me for a little while I’ll fix myself a snack. I wish you were here so you could fix it. I don’t know why but this things you fix always seem to taste better than they do when I fix them.

Hello Sweetheart, I’m back and I’m feeling a little bit better. (Moonlight Becomes You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BKZiQnISs)  I’m very tired so I think I had better close for now. I will write again tomorrow night. I love you very, very much.  Love and xxxxxs Harlan.

Friday 7:00 April 2, 1943

Hi Honey:

Now it really is Friday, time for another Special for my Special. How are you? I hope O.K. I didn’t go to work today, hope you won’t mind. I don’t know, this morning I just couldn’t get up and I was so tired, sooo I simply laid there. Momie brought your letter in about 11 o’clock. I read it and then turned over and slept two more hours. Then I got up, washed my clothes, did my ironing and walked up to the University for some airmail envelopes and Special delivery stamps.

By the way that sure was a funny letter. No date on it and it was so short you didn’t say hardly anything at all. When you write a short one at night you usually finish it in the morning. Were you sick or just plain tired?

We still haven’t heard from Dick, so I don’t know whether he is on his way or still there, maybe you’ve heard from him – yes?

It sure was a swell day here today, nice and warm and Honey the grass is getting green again and the trees are budding out all over the place. I talk to your Mom last night after I finished your letter. She said she had another picture of you when you were about five years old for me. Harlan, she has your baby ring, do you suppose someday I could have it, maybe?

Harlan, you don’t ever say anything about the food conditions out there. Why don’t you, I would like very much to hear about it. Please write and tell me about it.

Harlan, I don’t know how to say this but somehow your letters aren’t, aren’t like they used to be, somehow, somehow, they seem so formal. Oh, that isn’t what I mean either, but you keep me guessing. Harlan what’s going to happen to us, everything is so indefinite. I don’t even know how you feel about you not getting a deferment. Is it because you’re alone so much that you find it hard to write down what you think, are you getting tired of waiting or writing to me, or are you just getting tired of the whole thing??? Please try to write and tell me just how you feel about the whole thing. It’s awfully hard being at a loss about the future, let alone being at a loss about you. It makes me feel like maybe you are getting tired of waiting for me. Is that so? Do I make myself clear Harlan? Don’t you see that if I don’t know how you feel, I couldn’t have any feelings of my own? Please write and tell me how you feel about us and the future and you’re not getting another deferment please. Harlan, I must know how you feel.

I don’t blame you one bit for being elated over that letter your boss wrote to this draft board.  Honey, you have been there such a short time. And in the new surroundings and all, in my opinion you have done marvelously well, and I am very proud of you, so proud that I get a thrill when I think of all you have done in such a short time. You’re one in 1-in-a-million Harlan and I love you with all of my heart.

“As Time Goes By” (Tommy Dorsey Frances Langford – As Time Goes By 1943

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyOW7EjX_P0 ) is on the radio. I’m listening to Carnegie Hall: Best Tunes of all Times.

Well tomorrow night I change shifts and personally I’m tickled pink. I’m afraid I couldn’t stand these nice warm long evenings any longer without you. We had a nice time last night, we went out to the Tally Ho by taxi about 7:30 and stayed until about 9:30. Barbie was talking about her boyfriend and Eleanor was talking about Don and married life, and Udie and I were just listening. I didn’t have anything new to report and Udie never talks about her boyfriend very much. Well anyway, I pulled out my billfold to get money for a package of cigarettes when Udie noticed your picture in my billfold and asked to see it. Upon seeing it she said,” He sure is a nice looking fellow, so clean cut. You’re very lucky Janie. I always said you were smartest and luckiest one in the game, you don’t bore other people all of the time with your love affair. You love him and he loves you and that is that. You may wait a long time before you get married but when you do it will be a perfect match, an ideal marriage one of the few that lasts, you’re very lucky and so is he”.  Well my gosh, you could have knocked me over with a feather because Udie isn’t one to express her feelings. But it made me feel pretty good. Oh yes, she said “You kids, yours is a love that will never die because you have trust and faith in each other.”

After I talked to you Sunday, I had a lump in my throat for three days and was terribly nervous like something was going to happen. Did anything happen?

Well Sweetheart, I guess this about covers it for now. How are all your buddies and what became of Johnnie and Syd, do you see him often. It’s 7:45 and I haven’t eaten anything so I’m going to go have a lunch.  “I’ve Heard That Song Before” is on now.  (Helen Forrest & Harry James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK0j8_N_dBg) Harlan I miss you so much, so very much. Please, oh please don’t become bitter. If you have troubles, please write them to me it will help to get it off of your chest, worries too. And you know how I like to share them with you. Why who knows, I might even be able to help you a little bitty.  Have I done something to hurt you or make you feel make you mad?

I’m going to eat now I’ll be back soon.

Its Waltz Time with Frank Mum, it’s a program of music of only waltzes.  It’s torture to listen to when I would like to be dancing with you, but the music is nice.” I’ll See You Again” is on now.

Well I’m back again and “As Time Goes By” is on now. I sure am glad you don’t have the evenings off, I’m sure you would go crazy then.

Oh Harlan, did I tell you I put $15 in the bank this week. I’m getting pretty close to $100 and as soon as I have $115, I’m going to start checking account. How are you coming along with yours? Then when we get married, I’ll know just how to do it. O.K? O.K!

Well Harlan, I guess I better close now as I am long past running out of words. Please Harlan, answer all of my questions and answer them thoroughly. Please. I love you so much Harlan and you will never know how much I miss you.

Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie   Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s  Good Night Honey

1:15 AM April 3, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is, time for another Special. Another week his slipped up on us and brought us just a little bit closer together.  I’m sending a couple of clippings I thought you might be interested in. One is about a ship we are launching Sunday in honor of the 5 Sullivan boys from Iowa, and the other will give you some idea of the kind of neighborhood I live in. There is going to be a coast-to-coast broadcast and your folks might be able to hear it on Sunday afternoon. It will be made right from the yard. I’m going to try to make it. I have a day to play golf again Sunday morning. It was sure swell out playing this morning.

I have a letter to answer so I had better do so now. Our ‘Soldier’ should be right across the from the Big Dipper. Doggone, I guess that is all you have asked me.

Darling, I wasn’t going to tell you until I am sure of it but being this is a Special I will. I don’t want to get your hopes too high, but I think I may have a chance for a commission in the Army as a welding instructor. I have almost all of the qualifications for it now. All I need is to study gas welding for a little while. My instructors training in the yard is what will get it for me. I will find out for sure in this next week and when I do, I will let you know. I sure hope so. If you should happen to get a chance on it, I would be sent to some fort or camp and would be put on what they call probation for six months. I would be given class to instruct and if at the end of the six-months I proved satisfactory as an instructor, I would be given a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant. How would this sound? Lieutenant and Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. Nice, Huh? I wasn’t going to tell you, but you know me. I’m not planning on it too strong because I know how things seem to turn out for me.

I have been over to the school in the yard today taking some more Navy tests with S. T. S., C. R. S. and Manel.  S. T. S. Is Special Treatment Steel, C. R. S. is Cold Rolled Steel and Mandel is a High Tensile Steel, they are all hard to well. I will have to pass them before I can become an instructor too.

Oh I wish I could put into words what I want to say and do but things like that just aren’t in me. I love you so very, very much and I’m not able to say just how much that really is. I miss you like the devil, I wish you were here, I wish you we were married etc. etc. etc. All I can do is wish.

Well sweets, I’m very tired and hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will get a bite to eat and a little sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Good night Sweetheart/

Good morning Darling:  Well here it is another beautiful sunny day. Just the kind of day should be here with me. I’ve just finished eating breakfast and I’m going to take this down to the post office. Sooo, I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight when I get home. I love you very much.

Love  & xxxxx’s Harlan   

April 3, 1943

Hello you:

Oh if only I had your neck in my hands right now. I’d ring it for sure you – you, Oh, I can’t think of anything mean enough to call you. Writing me about your physical. Why I was on the way to the phone to call your Mom and then to place a call for you when I’d decided to read the rest of the letter and upon doing so it became a came upon the part saying April fool. I could have killed you, yet I was so happy that it wasn’t true. But you wait, I’ll get even with you if it’s the last thing I do, you, oh, Oh I never was so mad and if you could have read the thoughts that were going through my mind when I read it. Oh, Oh! You just wait, skearing me to death? Well, we’ll see.

This is only going to be a note as I have to leave for work tonight at 11:00 and I just got home from working eight hours, I have to get some rest.

Your Mom sent me some pictures of you today. One was when you were 11 years old, you have on long pants tucked inside of boots, you have your foot on a tree trunk. It’s awfully cute. All I I’ve got to say is that our little boys will look if our little boys look like you did, I’ll be satisfied. And the other ones was taken out of the airport, you have on that loud flannel shirt and you are standing by an airplane. I imagine you are about 18 hours 17 years old. I love them both.

I’m still railing, darn you.

Well sweets” (I shouldn’t even call you that…tease(.  have to go now, as I have to take a bath and put my hair put up my hair before I lay down.

Goodbye for now you Bum. I still love you. Although under such circumstances I don’t see how I can (only kidding)

Love & xxxxxs You’re Darlin’ Janie

PS I love you very much anyway for all your meanness,  but you just wait.

9:00 PM Sunday, April 4, 1943

Hello Darling:

I hope you will forgive me for not writing last night. I didn’t feel so good. I have just placed a call to you but as usual there is a delay. I don’t know what the matter is with me, but I can’t seem to get you off my mind. Not that I want to, but it is a little odd. There was a Special for me when I got home last night and one when I got home tonight.

I welded S.T.S. all night and it made my eyes very sore and tired because it is much brighter than mild steel in my dark glass was a little too light. When I got up this morning, I felt all stuffy and hot inside, so I went out for some air. I have the top down on Herman and drove in the cool air over to Jack’s. He’s going into the Army Wednesday, so he wanted to go out and play some golf. We had a cup of coffee at his house and left. We picked up my clubs and then went on out to the course. We played 18 holes and finished about 7:30. I took him home and his mother had dinner already for us, so I ate dinner with them and then came on home. On the way home I got to thinking about you again. I drove along the Boulevard with palm trees in the middle and the cool air was blowing my hair around. The radio was on and all the songs we know and like so much were on. But it was much different when you were with me. I had someone to talk to and laugh with, someone I could love and someone I could put my arm around kiss once in a while. All of this was gone, and I was alone.  What I felt is like a person growing old. I just sat and drove home.  Instead of parking someplace to talk a little, and smooch a little, smoke a little, I just opened the garage doors and drove right in. I came upstairs to my room and there you were before, me only in the picture. When I saw you smiling at me, I live all those wonderful months over again. I thought maybe if I called you, I might feel little better, so I just went into the phone and placed the call and now I’m here by myself again waiting so I can talk to you.

Well Sweets, I guess I had better get up to the phone. They’re going to call me when it comes through and I don’t want to miss it. I love you very, very much.

Darn, here I am back again, and I  didn’t get to talk to you. In your letter you didn’t say whether you were going to work Sunday night, so I was just hoping and praying that you were off. Well, I will call in the morning, Okay? Okay!!! I think I will get to bed now, I will finish as soon as I talk to you in the morning.

I love you, I adore you, I miss you, I wish you were here. Goodnight Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: Well our phone call is over. It sure was swell hearing your voice again. I feel much better now. I have just finished breakfast and am ready to wash clothes,  but before I do I have some questions to answer. I wasn’t sick when I didn’t finish that letter in the morning, I was just plain tired. The food conditions out here aren’t bad now that rationing has started but there are still a lot of things that you can’t get. Yes, you can have my baby ring. “Harry James is playing “Velvet Moon”  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj99A3tOhgY)

Darling, I wish I knew new myself how I feel about getting another deferment. All I know is that I love you and I want you near me. I want to be able to support you as you should be. The future is so uncertain that I don’t exactly know what I want to do. I have about three things in mind, but they are altogether different. One to get into the railroad with diesel. One is to stay in shipbuilding and the other is to have a large summer resort and health camp here in California. The only trouble with the last one is that I would have to start with nothing and build it up myself. What do you think about them?  No, nothing has happened. Johnnie is still here 4F and Syd is around somewhere. I haven’t seen him for some time. I have no troubles or worries so the only way you could help me would be to be with me, but I guess that is out of the question. I have $330 in my checking account. If I passed my physical, I won’t sell Herman until you have another ride in it. It is getting so I don’t get very enthusiastic about anything anymore. When I find out about going into the Army, then I will get enthusiastic about you coming out. You know how much I want you out here and if I was getting tired of waiting for you, I wouldn’t string you along with letters and phone calls. I would come right out and say so.  Yes, I still go out on the deck at 8:00. Your coat sure is a swell one. If I go into the service, I think there’s only one place they will put me and that is in the Army.

Well Sweets, I guess I have used up enough paper, so I had better close. I will write again tonight.

I love you very much and I miss you very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan

9 AM April 5, 1943

Hi Honey:

Well here I am, home from work and have had breakfast. When I walked in Momie told me you had called and I’m worried frantic. You can’t have heard from the board unless you heard Saturday afternoon and I don’t remember writing anything to shock you in your Special but what ever it is, I’ll hear shortly, I hope.

Boy I am tired. I have had only 4 hours sleep since Saturday morning. After I finished your letter Saturday night, I laid down but couldn’t sleep, then I went to work and worked until 8:00 o’clock Sunday morning. When I arrived home, I was exhausted so I went right to bed and simply died for four hours, then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep until 10:00 last night, by that time it was time to get ready to go to work, and this morning I’m pooed, but definitely.  But I’ll wait for your call. I’d stay awake another 48 hours if it meant I could talk to you. Oh dear, I wish that phone would ring.

Your Special came about 1:00 yesterday afternoon. It was swell.  Thanks for the clippings. There was an article in the paper this morning about the Sullivan’s. I’m sending it. You can read it for yourself.

Jeepers Harlan, that would be pretty swell if you could get a commission in the Army. Gosh only knows you deserve it, but I will love you just as much if you are only a little old buck private. So don’t let that bother. Still I like that,  Lieutenant and Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. O.K? O.K!

Well I guess I stop now and go wash and put up my hair, by then you should have called, and I’ll continue it. O.K? O.K! It’s 9:30 AM, bye for now. I love you Honey.

It’s over, Oh jeepers Honey, I’m sorry, please don’t be low. I’ll be out there before you know it. Oh I know it’s awfully hard Harlan why not admit it. Listen Honey as soon as you hear from that old draft board, we are going to make some plans, definite plans and we are going through with them and that’s a promise. Gosh, I can’t ask that you to wait and stay out there forever. That’s about all I can say. I know what I think like you however, I’m not able to write it down. All I can say Honey is that I love you very, very much and will be together and it isn’t too far away.

I’m sorry but I must go now as I’ve got to get to bed. As you know, I love you and miss you too.

Love & xxxxx’s  ‘Your’ Darlin Janie

PS I’m sorry if I talked too much, maybe I guess I kind of monopolized conversation. Love Again Janie Thanks again for calling Honey, I hope it helped a little. I’m sorry I didn’t know a good joke or something.

1:00 AM April 6, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to August or ? and you. (The radio is playing “I’m Getting Tired So I Can Go To Sleep” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-qeNS_p2DM) . There isn’t any news since I wrote this morning, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about now. I finished washing clothes and they are still on the line. They aren’t quite dry, so I’m going to leave them until tomorrow. It is real clear and cool out now. I have my windows open when I sleep, and it makes it nice. If we were married, you would have to cuddle up real close. We will sure have a nice time when we are married.

My welding test plates have been passed on appearance, so they have been sent to the Navy Department to be cut and tested.  I will know if I passed them are not in about a week or two.

I may go out and play golf in the morning. Jack is going to report for induction Wednesday, so he wants me to go out with him.

My clothes will be ready to iron Wednesday so I will spend the morning ironing. I had 32 pieces in the laundry including shorts, shirts, sweatshirts, etc, etc. I haven’t had one on since I went out with Dick. I haven’t had my collarless shirt on since Christmas.

Well Darling, it is getting late so I think I will close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.

Good night sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: Boy it sure is a beautiful morning.  I wish… There I go again. I haven’t heard anything about my physical/ I have just finished eating breakfast and am waiting for Jack. My laundry is dry, so I brought it in from the line. Jack just came so I will have to continue when I get back. Okay? Okay!

Hi Honey, now where did I get that? Oh Well, I’m back. The time is 12 PM noon. We play 10 holes, I had a very good game.

The mail is here, and I received and open your note and what a note. I wished I didn’t send that letter to you right after I sent it.  I’m sorry but I’m glad you forgive me.

There aren’t any questions to answer so I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight. There should be a bond with this.

I love you very, very much. Love and kisses Harlan

Tuesday 9:15 AM April 6, 1943

Hi Honey:

I’m home again and am I glad, you bet! I’m dead. I was going downtown but I am too tired so I’m going to wash my hair and hit the bed. How are you, feeling better I hope? I’m the low one this morning I’m afraid, but I will try to write a cheerful letter.

There isn’t any news to speak of. It’s colder than the devil this morning. I’ll be so glad when it really gets warm.

After I mailed your letter yesterday, I looked on the table and there was the clipping, so here it is.

Oh Harlan, I forgot or almost forgot. I didn’t go to lunch this morning until 5:00 this morning and then I went alone and as there was only about 20 people in the cafeteria. I was sitting alone at a table with my feet up on the chair up in front of me smoking and drinking a Coke when some fellow walked up to the table and I thought he wanted a light off my cigarette, so I made a motion to give it to him. I was half asleep. Anyway he said aren’t you Jane Hare and I said yes, I am. He said aren’t you Harlan Berhow’s girlfriend. I said yes, but who are you? He said weren’t you at my house the night Harlan went back to San Francisco, a Sunday night to be exact. Well I was still dumb founded, and he said I’m Lord Harris. And I still didn’t know who he was until he told me Michels name. Jeepers, did I feel cheap. I told him I guess I must have had my mind on something else that night and he said that was excusable. Anyway we talked for about 15 minutes, then I had to go back to work. He said he had seen me several times but didn’t ever get to me before I had left. Now isn’t that something. He wanted to know all about you, and I told him.

Well Sweets, I simply must close. I’m going to call your Mom as soon as the party on our line gets through gabbing. I haven’t talked to her since Saturday evening.

I love you Honey very much and miss you so very much.  Love & xxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie

Wednesday 9:30 AM April 7, 1943

Hi Honey:

Well jeepers, here I am again, fine and dandy but awfully tired. We worked hard, awfully hard and we broke all production records for all shifts, soo our foreman should be very happy. We put out 485,000 cases in all, O.K. So I handled 121,250 primers last night, that isn’t hay, but don’t tell anyone.

Enough of that. How are you? I hope O.K. I didn’t get a letter yesterday so there aren’t any questions to answer. To tell the truth, I don’t know what I’m going to write about.

Last night when we went to work it was storming something fierce, terrific lightning, thunder, and rain. As the wings shut down during an electrical storm, we all thought we would get to loaf for a while but we no more than got out there, when zoomed it stopped, rain and all. Nuts, aren’t I awful. Oh!  The sun is out this morning, and everything looks and smells so nice and fresh.

Oh say Honey, your Mom called yesterday morning and asked if I have heard from you and I had to say yes but that I haven’t heard yesterday. She said she hadn’t heard from use since a week ago Sunday, last Sunday, and Harlan she keeps talking like she thinks you are coming home. I wish you would write and make it clear or rather explain why you can’t come home. Maybe it’s none of my business but you should set her right. In one of your letters last week you said at the end that you were going to write your folks and Josie after you finished my letter. If you did, your Mom never got it. I didn’t tell her that you called me.

We haven’t had one word from Dickie yet, so don’t know where he is or anything about it.

Well Sweets, it’s about time for the mail man so as I want to get this gone, I better close. Sorry but I must. Maybe I’ll write again tonight before I go to work. I love you very much Honey. Be good, be careful and don’t worry.

Love as always, “Your” Darlin Janie

1:45 PM April 7, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

To begin when this is only going to be a note. It is time to go to work. I was sicker than a dog last night so when I got home, I went straight to bed, after I had up a hot bath and I just got up. Boy did I sleep. I shouldn’t really work today but I hate to miss any. There were two letters here from you when I got up but I will answer them when I get home tonight. I guess I will have to iron my clothes tomorrow. I think it was the smoke that got me down, I breathed a lot of it in the last couple of nights. Well I guess I had better close for now. See you 8.  Will write a longer one tonight. I love you very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan

1:00 AM April 8, 1943 Thursday

Hello Sweetheart:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. How is my little girl tonight? Fine, I hope. I feel much better now. We had some rain tonight and that sort of freshened me up a bit.

Your letters are swell. One was written when I called you Sunday night or rather Monday morning. The other was with the clipping of the USS Sullivans.

There were no questions in the first one. No questions in the last one. Now I don’t know what to write about. Darn, I wish I would hear from my board. There sure are a lot of fellows from the yard going into the Army. There are some girls going to school at the yard now. I guess they are going to try putting some on the slabs to try out. I don’t think they will put them on the ships because of the galvanize. There sure are some cute ones. Some aren’t so cute too. It sure will seem funny to be working with girls around. Last time that was when I was at the library.

Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

Well I have just finished ironing my clothes. While I was ironing, Dick called me. He is coming in tomorrow afternoon, so I may take the day off and spend it with him. I probably won’t be able to take much time off when I get in the Army which will be pretty soon so I don’t think it will hurt much. Do you think?

It is time for me to go to work again.

I washed my hair last night and you should see it now. Do you remember the wave I have had such trouble getting in? Well it is a natural wave now. I just comb my hair straight back and after I wash it and in the morning there is a wave. My hair is kind of long on the sides and the curls that used to stick out are still there, only they are larger.

Well Sweets, I guess I better close for now, I will write again tonight. Okay? Okay! I love you and miss you very very much. 

Love & xxxxxxxs Harlan

Thursday 9:15 AM April 8, 1943

Hello again,

I just finished my dinner, breakfast to you. I had bacon and eggs. Yum Yum, so now I feel a lot better. I have tomorrow off, so don’t have to go to work tonight. It sounds kind of mixed up but it’s O.K., so I’m going to a show with Momie tonight. I think I’ll go to bed for a couple, three hours and then go down early.

Yesterday after I finished your letter, I waited and waited for the mailman and he didn’t come until 12:30, so I didn’t get much sleep. But to get back, your letter was swell and thanks a lot for answering all of my questions. That idea about a large summer resort sounds pretty good and Honey if we keep working for that $1000 mark it would be a pretty good back ground. And you wouldn’t have to start and do it by yourself. I would be with you, so there.

Momie says hello.  She is sitting here reading the paper.  She says chin up, time flies and you’ll be an old married man before you know it and then you’ll wish you were single again.

My writing, I hope you’ll excuse but my arm at aches and won’t go where I want it to.  It keeps jerking.

By the way Honey, is there anything you want me to send you to eat?

Harlan, you must get out of that rut you’re in. Something will turn up, you’ll see. You yourself said you didn’t have any troubles or worries, and if I was there you would have plenty,  You bet!  So look up and say I’m a lucky guy, why look at this swell girl I have waiting at home for me, (sounds good doesn’t it?)  

We still haven’t heard from Dick. If you hear anything let me know, will you? O.K.

Well Sweetie Pie, I guess I had better close now. This is a lousy letter but it is a letter. But my little old arm is killing me. I miss you (as you know), I think you’re swell and I love you so much love.

Love as always  & xxxxxxxxxxxs  “Your” Darling Janie

Thursday 9:15 PM April 8, 1943

Hi Honey:

It seems to me I was writing to you just 12 hours ago but as I don’t work tonight and can sleep in the morning, I’m writing tonight instead. O.K? O.K!

Jeepers Honey, It’s a beautiful night.  Momie and I just walked up to the store.  Its warm, about 75.  The stars are beautiful and bright, the big dipper is upside down, isn’t it just like our world?  But like our world, it will ne back to normal soon, won’t it Honey?  Sure!  We didn’t go to the show today.  About 3:30 I was pounding my ear when some one pounded on me, it was Joyce and Eleanor.  Joyce got home last Saturday.  She sure looks swell.  California did her good.  She didn’t get married you know because Earl’s father wouldn’t let them, so she and Earl are through.  It’s too bad.

Anyway, they had a car and  got up and got dressed and we went for a ride, then I came home and I was so tired we decided we wouldn’t go, so we are going downtown tomorrow and I’m going to buy some new clothes.  I think it will make me feel a little better.

It was my turn to ne low and lonesome tonight.  I know just how you felt the other night.  I sure wish you weren’t so far away, then I could call you up when ever I wanted to or visa-versa.  At 10:00 tonight I’m going out on the steps and smoke a cigarette while listening to the Chesterfield Hour and think of you without any interruptions.  I’ll try and picture you o some deck of some big ship, smoking your pipe or welding with a big light.  I can try and picture you in your helmet and leathers.

I just talked to your Mom and Max left today. She was waiting for Opal to come after the baby.  I guess Opal feels pretty bad, but it’s just like everything else, just one of those things.  I hope Max does O.K., he’s at Camp Dodge.

Well I’m going to close now and go to bed.  I’m mad.  I Love you very much. 

Love and xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie

Good Night Harlan

Friday 5:45 PM April 9, 1943

Hi Honey:

Well, my gosh. I just happen to think it’s time for another Special for you. Time sure does fly. I’ll start it tonight and finish it when I arrive home from work in the morning O.K? O.K!

I received two letters today. One written April 6^th and the other April 7th.  April 7th was definitely too short, but I’ll forgive you this time. I think I will like that cuddling up real close when we get married, which reminds me, I dreamt we got married last night. I was out there I think when we were married. We work together one week and then you left for the Army. But boy did we ever have fun. You quit your job and we did nothing but play, golfing, swimming, sightseeing, riding in Herman, just having a good time, and then you saw me off to the train in the morning and you were leaving that night for the Army. We didn’t tell anyone we were married and when I got home no one knew but I couldn’t keep it from Momie and Dad, so I told them and they both cried a little but said if I was happy and you are happy then they were happy too. Jeepers, it was so real and married life, if it is anything like my dream Honey, is perfect and you’ll love it.

I sure hope you’re welding test plates pass the test. I thought Jack left Saturday for the Army. You said someone did.  Who was it what time?

Harlan, why don’t you send your laundry out to be done? Jeepers, there isn’t any sense in you working so hard as you do and then doing your own work too.  Can’t you get someone to do it for you?

Oh yes, I received your bond today which makes it $250, doesn’t that make you feel pretty good? Why sure!  We’re coming along okay Honey.  I’ll have one next week.

It sure was a busy day today, it has rained all day, a continual drizzle, and it was my day off. Oh well, I’ll have another one next week.

Harlan, I been thinking if you don’t pass your physical, I’m going to save until I get enough money that I am coming out. I mean I’m not going to wait until August, as soon as I get say $150,  why out I come.  Then that will push our marriage up. O.K? O.K! Besides, I can’t wait until August. So maybe it will be in June or July, O.K???

Harlan, if you have a chance to go into the Navy, will you do it?

I’m awfully sorry that you were sick. Honey you mustn’t let yourself get run down if you don’t feel like going to work, well Jeepers, it isn’t going to hurt if you stay home.

Rosie received a letter from Dick yesterday, or did I tell you that? Well anyway, he didn’t call you Sunday because he was on guard duty most of the day, but he thinks he will be home either the last of this week or the first of next week.

Well Honey, I’m going downtown and buy some stamps and envelopes for you. I’m out but definitely.  Daddie told me I could have the car so I’m going to pick up Eleanor and Joyce.

Your Mom just called to see if I had heard from you.  I’ll continue this when I get back. O.K? O.K! I sure wish you were going with me instead of the girls. We used to like to ride in the rain, remember. Herman didn’t leak hardly at all. Will must go Hon. I love you. Bye for now.

Hello again, It’s 10:00 and I’m back. I drove down to the post office, picking up Eleanor and Joyce up on the way. Got my envelopes and etc., then back up Keo to a drive-in and had a Coke and some donuts. Then back up to Joyce’s and sat out in front, listening to the radio, and talked about until about 9:45 and here I am again. It’s still raining, and you know how it is riding in the rain, fun right. I’m sure tired though, I wish I was going to bed instead of to work or better yet I wish we were out together. Just you and I and a oh little old Herman. Dear little Herman and dear Harlan (I should have put you first)

Oh jeepers Honey, I’m miss you just as much as you miss me. I too am getting to the point where I’m getting impatient, sometimes I have such a lump in my throat I could scream. It hurts, honest it does. Right now I would give anything to see you if only for a half hour. To feel your arms around me, your lips on mine, to see your face close to mine and smell your nice clean smell. That sounds funny, but you always did smell nice. I guess I better stop before you get low again.

Well Honey, much as I hate to, I have to close for now as it is time for me to go get ready for work. I love you, I love you, I love you and I miss you and Herman too.

Goodnight Sweetheart, “Your” Darlin’ Janie

Good morning Honey: It’s 9:00 and I just had my breakfast and as soon as I finish this, I’m going to take a bath, put up my hair up and get to bed but quick, because I’m dead. I’m kind of low but it’s because I’m so tired, and I always get awfully lonesome when I’m tired. I get to feeling sorry for myself and sad, and that ain’t good.

It’s cloudy again, probably will start raining again. Oh well, that’s okay with me because I like to sleep when it’s raining.

Bet then this is getting boring so maybe I had better close for good, O.K? O.K!

I love you Harlan very, very much and miss you terribly.  Love & xxxxxs, Always “Your” Darlin Janie

PS In the letter with your bond yesterday was a special delivery stamp. I am sending it and another one so maybe you will write me another Special Sunday night O.K? O.K! By Now, Love Janie

PSS Don’t worry Honey and be careful and take care of yourself.

12:30 AM Sat. April 10, 1943

Hello Darlin’

Well here it is time for another Special for the sweetest and swellest girl in the world. It seems that all I have been doing lately is asking you to forgive me for not writing the night before. Well here it is again. I usually have a good excuse though. Don’t I? Well anyway last night I worked on top of the mast. The mast is about 50 feet above the main deck and the ship is about 50 feet from the ground, so I was really up in the air. We had a cold spell last night that just about tops them all. The wind was so strong I could hardly keep my fire going. My welding I mean. Well I don’t know when I’ve been as cold as I was last night. Clear through me. When I got home, I took a hot bath and turned my heater on and lay down. I woke up in about an hour I guess and turn the gas off and went to sleep. Then I thought to myself. My Darling little Janie won’t mind if I write in the morning instead of tonight so I went to sleep. (I had a nice dream of you and me) I woke up about 9:30 and ate breakfast. Dick called me at 10 tonight wanted to know if I was going to work. I said I didn’t know for sure. I kind of hate to miss work but I also hate to miss going out with Dick. I get such a big kick out of going out with him because he is so much fun, and it isn’t very often I get to go out with someone I know. I had to go out to the yard to get my check by 11 so I left. I picked Dick up a little after one and we drove out to my place and picked up my clubs. Dick had two ship mates with him so, we had a foursome. We had a lot of fun at the golf course. After we finished, we stopped at a restaurant and had dinner. We then drove back to my place and changed clothes and washed. Then we took the streetcar downtown and went to a show. And then I came home and Dick went back to Treasure Island. Now I’m writing to my one and only and I do mean one and only. I thought about you at 8 tonight. I was just walking up Market Street, heading for the show. The Big Dipper looked like it was Northeast and our Soldier was in the Southwest. Whenever you find the Big Dipper, just follow the line up right over your head in exactly the opposite direction and you can’t miss the soldier, it looks like this or something on that order.

Dick was telling me he may not be able to come home. He thinks he may be stationed out here permanently. If he is, he is going to send for Rose. (Maybe you could come out then too) I sure wish. You know tonight is the first time I have been to a show for over two weeks. Isn’t that something. Last Sunday I came home just to call you.

Are you mad at me for not writing last night? I will try to do better from now on.

Well Sweets, I’m kind of tired so I think I will close for tonight. I will finish this so-called letter or Special in the morning. I wish I was able to write the kind of Special you deserve, one where I could tell you how much I love you and wish with all of my heart and soul that we could be married soon. But I guess all I can say is that I really and truly love you. Goodnight Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin’: Boy it sure is swell day out. If you were here, we could go out and play a little golf or something before I went to work. Wouldn’t that be swell? I have just finished eating breakfast and had better close pretty soon and get this in the mail before 10. Okay? Okay!

I sure had a lot of fun with Dick yesterday. If he gets stationed out here permanently, it will be nice. He thinks Chuck may be sent down here are after his 3 months in boot camp.

Well my Sweet, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you more than you will ever know. Love and xxxxxxxxxxs Harlan.