1:30 AM Sunday, April 25, 1943
Hello Nan:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. Oh happy July.
I’m very tired and my hand is kind of sore so I think I’ll wash and go to bed. I will answer your letter first though, there’s only one question. Have I been classified? I don’t know for sure. My draft board said I was 1-A and my Selective Service at the yard says I’m not 1-A until I have my physical.
I have a great big top sirloin steak for my dinner tomorrow night.
Well Sweets, if you don’t mind, I think I will hit the bunk for a good night sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Goodnight Darling.
Good morning Sweetheart: What a nice surprise this morning’s call was. Thanks a lot. It completes my Sunday before it starts. It’s so beautiful it’s a beautiful day here. A little windy but nice. I’m sorry to hear about the cloudy day. I wish I could go out and play a little golf but I’m afraid it is out of the question. I could go out but I’m afraid it wouldn’t do my hand any good. I am going to shave and take a shower and change my clothes and plan on going to church. I’m going with Mrs. Schnell, my landlady and 2 girls here at the house. The girls are both married and their husbands are in the Navy out to sea.
I guess I had better close now. I will write you a long letter tonight. I love you very very much
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan
PS Thanks again for the call.
10 PM Sunday, April 25, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is almost another day closer to July and the sweetest and most wonderful girl in the world.
I’ve had a very nice day. After church was over, I was talking to Mrs. Seaman, whose husband is a lieutenant in the Navy and she said she sure gets tired of sitting around the house, so I suggested that we go for a ride. My fiancé isn’t here and her husband gone so we took Herman and drove around San Francisco for about an hour or so and then came home. She will probably be here when you come out, so you will get to meet her. She is from New Hampshire. She’s about 24 and rather tall and has bucked teeth but she is awfully nice. I hope you don’t mind too much.
Your Special came about 5 PM and I will answer now.
Yes, I would like to have you call me Johnny. Everyone out here calls me that and I kind of like it. It is easier for people to remember. I’m glad your mother like the flowers and that they got their alright. I think that $850 is really swell. I’m in kind of in a mess about my washing. Now that my hand got burned up, I can’t watch my clothes. They are almost all dirty. I’m glad you are going over to see Mom and Opal and the baby. I received a letter from sis and she had felt kind of hurt that you had been over to see the baby yet. Let me know what you think of Donna.
I guess that’s just about covers it. I wish there was a little news to tell you. The weather has turned a little colder.
Well Darling, if you don’t mind, I think I will finish this in the morning. I sure love you a lot I can hardly wait until July to see you again.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
We have another beautiful day. The sun is out but the air is still a little cool and the wind is blowing quite a bit. I haven’t any more news since last night so I don’t know what else right about.
My arm is pretty sore. Every time I get burned, I get a boil on my arm. I been burned 3 times and I’ve gotten boil right close to the burn. I think there is some kind of acid or something makes them.
Well Darling, I seem to be running out of words so I can guess I had better close for now. I love you very very much. Love & xxxxxx’s Johnny
Sunday 11:15 PM April 25, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, the phone call is over, church is over, Easter Sunday is only 45 minutes yet to be. I just arrived home from the show “Hello Frisco Hello”. Jeepers Honey, wasn’t it good and when she came up on the stage at the end and phoned him and sang “You’ll Never Know” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFmzDfjxOto with Alice Faye) I could have cried. I think I should dedicate this song to you.
How are you? I hope your hand is a lot better when you get this. I’m awfully sorry about it and wish there was something I could do to help. Yesterday when I talked to your Mom, I told her that I was coming over this afternoon and would call before I came so after getting home from church and eating at about 2:00, I called her and no one was home. I kept trying until about 4:30 but of no avail and as my date with girls was at 5:30, it was too late anyway. I was all cleaned up and everything.
Harlan your Special is downstairs and if I go get it I will wake the folks up, so I’ll answer tomorrow, O.K? O.K. I can’t find that list of definitions, I’ll look for it tomorrow morning. This is my night off you know. It’s 9:30 out there, what are you doing? Answer please. On the way home I bought a comic book. Tip Top Comic, yup I still read them, do you?
Well Honey, I hate to cut this short but I haven’t been to bed since 8:00 last night and can hardly hold my eyes open. I’ll write again tomorrow night before I go to work. O.K? O.K! I miss you terribly and love you more.
Good night Honey, “Your” Darlin Janie
PS I’m sorry I woke you up this morning to early. Did you go to church and have you heard from Dick?
Love as always. Janie
Monday 1:45 PM April 26, 1943
Hi Honey:
I don’t have to sleep today and it is raining, I can’t go downtown, thought I would write you a letter. I didn’t write very often you know.
There were two letters this morning from you and one letter from Dick. He said he had tried to get you twice since he got back but of no avail. I don’t know whether you work home or just what but he will probably call again.
It’s a terrible day, gloomy and rainy. It’s almost as dark as it is at 8:00 at night. It makes one feel kind of gruesome.
Say, since when is my name Nan? Honey, if you like Johnny better than Harlan and want me to call you that, I will try but I like the name Janie or Jane. When I read that “Hello Nan” when I’m used to seeing “Hello Darling” or “Hello Sweetheart”, it seemed awfully funny. Kind of like you were writing to someone else. I’m just plain Jane and not Nan. Nan sounds like someone, else don’t you think? You bum, or are you trying to change me?
Although there were two letters, there were no questions to answer, so I’m kind of at a loss to know what to write about. I could write about how much I miss you and wish that July would hurry up and come so I could see you again. Sometimes I get to the point where you are, someone I get letters from and write to, hear your voice once in a while on the phone but never see, or feel, something of a memory. Memories are what I live on, memories and thoughts of July and a little further into the future but mostly memories because the future is so indefinite. You are on my mind all of the time, wondering what you are doing, if maybe you were thinking of me. Every day I see something that reminds me something we have done together in the past, or something you have said or done. I’ll never forget those glorious three years, it’s a good thing we knew each other quite a while before you left or otherwise we would wouldn’t have much to look back on. Am I boring you?
Momie said she would write as soon as she could. Gee Honey, it was sure swell of you to think of her or rather remember her. She was very surprised and happy about it. Thanks Hon. That telephone conversation sure went fast, didn’t it? I called long distance and we talked for 10 minutes – it sure didn’t seem like it.
Well Sweets, I’m running out of things to say, so maybe I better close. Be very careful and don’t get hurt and if you do, please take care of yourself. Be a good boy little boy like you always are and I’ll love you forever. Bye for now.
Love “Your” Darlin Janie
PS Do you remember Don Shidler, that boy I used to write letters to? He was in the 34th division of the Army. Well anyway, he is reported missing.
PSS Am waiting for that long promised long letter.
10:00 PM Hello again. I was going to take the this up and mail it when Dad came hoe, but it’s been hailing and raining since about 6:00 and he put the car right in the garage so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow when the mailman comes.
I’m listening to the Chesterfield Hour. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvY6wXHvlaI The Ink Spots) is the being played. It’s lightning and thundering something awful, if it keeps up a little longer, I’ll get out of working some tonight. Dad let Rip out just before it rained and after it started, he didn’t come home so I had to go out and look for him. When I finally found him, we were both soaked. I’ve been sneezing ever since, so it looks like I am in for a cold.
Well Honey, I guess I had better get ready for work. Don will be here about 11:00. They’re playing “Remember” (Perry Como https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVFLR3VHyWA) Gosh those pieces.
Good Night Honey, Love “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:20 AM Tuesday, April 27, 1943
Hello Nan’:
Well, here it is another day closer to July and you.
This is just going to be a note tonight as my hand and arm feel like they are on fire. I shouldn’t have gone to work today. If my arm is as bad as it is now when I get up in the morning, I’m afraid I’ll have to see a doctor about it. I’d probably miss a couple of days though and I sure hate that now.
I’m sorry darling but I had better close. I will try to finish this in the morning.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Boy what a night I had! I sure didn’t sleep very much. My arm is pretty sore. I’ve had breakfast and the mail is here. I’ll answer your letter before I write any more. Yes, I buy a comic magazine once in a while. I usually get the Walt Disney. I haven’t heard from Dick as of yet. At 9:30 I was at a show downtown or just getting ready to leave for home. I was home about 10 or 10:30.
I’m sorry Darling, but I’m afraid I had better close. I will try to write you a longer one tonight if I can. I don’t know if I will go to work or not. I Love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Johnny
Tuesday 9:30 AM April 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again and no news or nothing special to write about. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy and not working too hard.
Marion wasn’t at work last night because it was her night off (good reason wasn’t it) and Margie played hooky, so I had to do Margie’s work along with mine, so I’m unusually tired this morning, sure wish you could give me a back rub. I sure need it.
It’s a lovely day, nice and warm and 65 already and the sun is very bright. It would be a perfect day for a picnic, golf, horseback riding or what have you Harlan. I’ve looked all over for that paper of definitions but of no avail. I must have lost it. I’m sorry because some of them were very good.
My but Katy, one of the girls who writes with us to work, is happy. Her husband is coming home Thursday night. She is the one I asked you if you knew, Kathleen Landus, and you never answered. She graduated with Opal and knows her, but I guess you weren’t is interested or ignored it. I’m sure I don’t know which. Anyway, her husband is coming home Thursday night and she is quitting her job at the plant and going to go back to Texas with him. The last time he was home was 10 days before you were home for Christmas. They have been married a year and have been together altogether six weeks.
Well Harlan, I’m sorry but I don’t have anything to write about so I guess I’ll close and will try to go better tonight. I love you very much
Love & xxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
7 PM Tuesday, April 27, 1943
Hello Darlin:
Well here it is, the same day closer to July and this sweetest and swellest girl in the world.
I decided to go to work tonight, so I stopped in at the hospital to have them dress my arm before work. The doctor took one look at my arm and said, “No work for you tonight young man.” So here I am. I stopped downtown to get my dinner and then came home.
The weather is terrible out. It’s raining like the devil. I sure wish you were here. I would be a nice night to sit out in Herman in the rain and smooch. I could sure stand some of that now or any time. July is sure going to be a happy occasion. We will have a lot of fun, won’t we darling?
I hate to be off work on nights because I always see a lot of couples together having a lot of fun. Talking and laughing together. They walked arm in arm like we used to do, like we will do again sometime soon. There is a young couple here at the house that gave a dinner for another couple tonight. I have saw them eating, talking and laughing together and it left an empty feeling inside of me. I sort of feel like part of me is gone and I’m completely lost without it. Well Sweets, I have to shave, take a shower and wash my hair, so I guess I had better close. I want to get to bed early as I plan on washing a bunch of clothes in the morning. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Or rather, good afternoon. The time is about 1:15 and I have just finished hanging up my clothes and eating dinner. There is a swell letter here from you but I’m not going to answer it until tonight, for two reasons. I will have something to answer and I haven’t much time now. I sure had a big laundry today. I’m glad it’s out of the way.
I’m going to try to work today. I don’t know if they will let me or not! But we’ll see.
There isn’t any news so I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Love & xxxxxxxxxx Harlan Johnny
Wednesday 11:30 AM April 28, 1943
Hi Honey:
Yes, I know it’s kind of late but I been a very busy girl this morning. I arrived home from work at 8:45 and ate breakfast. Then when upstairs, washed and changed my clothes, put on my green house dress and white play shoes. Came downstairs and made something for you. I baked oatmeal cookies from your mom’s recipe. I’ll have Daddie take them to the post office this afternoon. Aren’t I sweet?
Your letter just came, but Honey it wasn’t as long as I expected, not like you promised in your Sunday morning letter. How are you? I hope your arm and hand is a lot better. Mrs. Seaman sounds like the motherly type, why don’t you have her do it for you, washing I mean. She sounds like a nice enough person. By the way what church did you go to?
I’m sorry about not being able to see Opal and the baby but I told her I would be over for sure, that I even had the car. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.
There isn’t much news. The weather is sure swell again, nice and warm and sunny blue skies and all, sure wish I didn’t have to go to bed. Which reminds me, I better get there. I’m very tired and there isn’t any news so guess I will.
Will write again tomorrow. Am so glad you had such a nice time Sunday. How did it feel to have another girl beside you in Herman? Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Yours Janie
Thursday 9:35 AM April 29, 1943
Good morning Honey:
Well here I am again and tired too. How are you? I hope O.K. We had quite a bit of excitement at work last night. There was a terrible electric storm last night, it came up at about 4:30 AM and sudden too. Well as you know the wings shut down when an electrical storm is on and we were down about 2 hours. After coming back from the cafeteria, we had been running about 10 minutes, I was back in the Premier room alone, shaking out the primers and Marian and Eva were out on the floor servicing the machines, when there was a loud clash and all of the lights went out, boy I was skeared. I just stood there. I couldn’t move and there wasn’t a sound in the wing and it was pitch dark. Then I heard someone walk in the room and say ‘Nanc?’, it was Marian. Boy I grabbed her and we hung on to each other, both shaking like a leaf, In about 5 minutes, the lights went on and we were O.K. The lightning had put the lights out but they wouldn’t tell us what the big bang was. Well, I’m not the same yet. I thought sure the place was going to blow sky high. My first thought when those lights went out was you. Well, what do you know about that.
I’m afraid there isn’t any news, it is still raining and my hair got all wet, so I’m a mess, it’s all loose like you like it.
I sent the cookies yesterday, sure hope they get there O.K. Let me know will you please?
Momie says to tell you she will write soon.
Well, I’m out of words now, so guess it’s time to close. I will try to do better tomorrow morning. Anyway, I’ll have a letter to answer. O.K? O.K! I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your’ Darlin’ Janie
PS I had a T-bone steak, fried potatoes, bread, and butter for breakfast, Worcestershire sauce too! First time I’ve had one for a month. It sure was good, ya, ya, ya. Only kidding.
Thursday 11:30 AM April 29, 1943
Hi Honey:
Here I am again and yes I know, I just finished writing you a letter and sent it on with the mail man, who brought one from you to me, it was written Tuesday, April 27 at 1:20 AM concerning your arm. Gee Honey, I’m awfully sorry. I only wish there was something I could do. By the time you get this it should be better but if it isn’t and you haven’t seen the doctor then please do. Gosh, you might have something in the burn or some thing. And about your washing, couldn’t you do something? Could’t you find someone to do it, just this week. And don’t worry about missing a couple of days at work. After all, your arm is more important than your work right now and a couple of days now isn’t going to make too much difference, not to me anyway.
I also received an invitation to a shower for Opal given by Levina, Bertha, Ruth, Edith and Josie at Levina’s house. Saturday night, but jeepers I can’t go, unless I lay off of work and I just can’t afford it. I hope they will understand. I’m going to write Levina today a note expressing my regret and it’s too late to send something. Ohh Jeepers! What a mess!
Well Sweets, I must get to bed but thought I would send this kind of Special. Please Harlan, take care of yourself and don’t worry. It’s a good thing I’m coming out July (which is only eight weeks away) or I’m afraid there wouldn’t be much left of you. I don’t think you’re living or eating like you should either. And you had better see a doctor about that arm and quick. Take a day or two off and rest up and keep me informed about it. Please. I love you so much.
PS I read the bond in your letter this morning. More power to us Honey. Love Janie
12:45 April 30, 1943 Friday
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and the sweetest girl in the world.
It sure seemed good to get back to work today. The hospital nurse said she didn’t think I had better but I told her that I was going to work because my arm was all right and I had not missed too much time as it is or was so I went to work. I made a darn good bonus tonight to.
I got another bond today. I don’t know why but I did. I guess my day for bonds has changed from Tuesdays to Thursdays.
Before I say good night, I will answer your letter I received today. I’m fine. It is raining out again. I probably would know that Katie if I ever saw her but I can’t place her name. Well that letter was kind of short, but it was a letter and that is enough.!
Would you like to know how large a laundry bag I had? Okay! 10 handkerchiefs, 2 dress shirts, 2 sport shirts, 2 work shirts, 4 sweatshirts. 5 slip over sport shirts (the ones I had at Christmas) 3 work pants, 6 pairs of shorts, 5 undershirts, and that sweat jacket that you didn’t like. Some laundry, huh? I still have 2 pairs of jeans to iron. I will do that in the morning. 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 afternoon Darlin’, yes it is almost time to leave for work again. I got up about 8:45 and ate breakfast. Then I ironed my work pants and a sweatshirt. Then I had one pair of work pants to sew up on the cuffs. They are one of the ones I wear while working. When I put them on at work, I catch my boots were the cuffs are sewn up inside. Well anyway, I had to sew them up. I remember what you said about sending things I wanted patched were sewn up. But the things I have to wear all the time and it will do me a lot of good to learn how to do. You will appreciate it later on in our life.
The weather is just perfect here now. Warm with a cool breeze blowing now and then. I sure wish you were here now.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close now. I have a Special to write tonight and this is the last page of in my tablet so I don’t know what I’m going to write it on. I love you very much Jane. Someday I will show you just how much that is.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Johnny
Friday 9:15 April 30, 1943
Hi Honey:
Just a minute, I want to get a cigarette. Oh boy, that tastes good. I just had my breakfast, which consists of 1 egg, sunny side up, five pieces of bacon, one glass of milk (a big glass) and twos sides of Momie’s homemade bread. Pretty swell breakfast, yes?
It’s nice again this morning. Gosh, I sure am glad, I’ve had enough rain to last me. How are you and hand? I hope a lot better.
There isn’t any news. Marian was sure in a bad mood last night. I asked her what was wrong and she said “Oh I don’t know, every time I open my mouth something mean comes out” but she snapped out of it before quitting time. I’ve had those spells myself so I guess it’s O.K.
Gee, I wish I had something interesting to tell you Hon, but I don’t. How are all the boys at the yard, and how’s work coming, have you made out lately??? There – there’s some questions for you to answer.
I would kind of like to go out tonight but guess I’ll wait until Monday night as it’s my night off.
Rosie just called and she took Dickie Jr. and went down to Yonkers and had a picture of them together for big Dick’s birthday, but don’t tell Dick about it. Won’t that be nice? You bet.
Well Harlan, again I’m running out of things to write. Tomorrow morning I’ll try to write a nice long Special for your Sunday. I hope you are feeling a lot better. I love you very much and I’m counting every minute until July when I’ll see you again. Be careful and take it easy.
Love & xxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Jane
Johnny & Jane 