As I transcribe and write today, I feel like I am ending the first chapter in my grandparents’ war story. During the past three weeks, my grandfather has begun his Navy service in Norfolk, Virginia. In this time, he has moved three times: his first nights in Norfolk were at the Navy Y.M.C.A., and then he moved briefly to Granby Street. He has acquired a roommate, Dr. Edmund Lentz, and the two doctors are living in the home of the chatty Mrs. Evans on Magnolia Avenue. My great uncle Jim has finished his basic training at the Great Lakes naval base and has also come to begin his service in Norfolk as a SeaBea in one of the naval construction companies.

The reason that I classify this post as Travel Tuesday is because my grandmother is about to begin her journey to Norfolk. Today’s two letters include last minute travel tips and directions from my grandfather. They eventually decided that she should drive the car down, partially because without the car in Norfolk, they wouldn’t be able to get around. I don’t know if we will ever find out who her traveling companion was, although it was most likely Dorothy Krull, a friend and neighbor from Kentland. Between mailing the car registration back and forth between Kentland and Norfolk, and finally acquiring some type of gasoline ration card, the trip is finally going to happen. I love my grandfather’s final instruction: Bring my swimming trunks along!

Since my grandmother was in Norfolk for a little more than a week, there were obviously no letters written during this time. When we pick up the story again, it will be near the end of June. The Navy was victorious in the Battle of Midway, and things are beginning to happen. My grandparents had a lot to talk about and discuss while they were together in Norfolk. Many of the letters will begin to have more cryptic statements. They definitely had a way of saying things, without saying anything at all (that would offend the censors). Loose lips, sink ships, or so they say.

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Letter translation:

Tue Eve.

Dear Mother,

I’m in the car downtown waiting for Dr. L. to have some white suits altered. Hope the card etc. gets there ok. As I have said before I’ll be off Sat P.M. so if you could get here then it would be fine of course I know that you’ll have to be there Thurs. to hear John, but Sun would be a good day to look around.

Keep the gas tank full most of the time after you get into the rationing area because the stations close early and open late and then some may be out.

Let me know if you have time if Dorothy is coming so

(page 2) that I may make hotel reservations.

I didn’t get any letter today but got the extra one yesterday due to the air mail. I’ve sent the last two air mail-don’t know what connection they make.

It is only a short time before 6:00 P.M. and that is the time the mail leaves here for Cincinnata so will get this off.

Don’t hurry but get here as soon as you can.

Love Daddy

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Wed Nite 10:00 PM

Dear Mother,

Just received your airmail special and thought I’d better write before so that you would get it before you come. I hadn’t written yet today because I thought you would be coming Fri and I didn’t think you’d have time to get it.

When you get to Washington come thru Richmond. It will be a little farther but you make better time and because you have fewer ferries to cross and less toll to pay.

When you get into town find Hampton Blvd and follow it until you come to Magnolia. Hampton is one of the main roads

(page 2) thru town. I can’t direct you definitely because there are two ferries and it would be different depending upon which ferry you took.

I guess you won’t be here then on Sat P.M. or Sun. It will be Ok, but that would have been time extra. I’ll not make any hotel reservations etc until you get here.

Well, see you when you get here

Love Daddy

Thurs A.M. Bring my swimming trunks along.

©2012, copyrighted & written by Deborah Sweeney