Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 4, 1944
Dear Mother,
Finally I got the M.O. for Mark and it will go out in the mail tomorrow so that is that.
I’m writing this before mail time today again and will add a note later letting you know if anything comes along. Now I’ve written that same line that appears in every one of the letters.
There is an ambitious Dr. outside my window practicing golf. I mean just swinging a club. No he has a ball tied to a string.
[page 2] He seems to be enjoying himself lots. Lentz is out playing again this P.M.
The mail came it was packages. Your other Christmas package came this one had socks. I didn’t know you had sent tow. This one today was crushed up a bit with a little candy on the socks and some sticky on all the boxes parts including some on the writing paper, but I’ll be able to use the paper I think. I’d hoped the picture of D might arrive but no such luck.
A letter also came from Joe R. He seems to be doing OK and still wondering about the 18 mo. just like all of up us are doing.
[page 3] Geo. Wingfield also sent me a Christmas present. A sterling silver name plate with chain for around the wrist. You know an identification tag. It sure is a swell one. Needless to say all these packages went to Navy 60 and that is the reason for the lateness and the bad condition. Your packages are always in worse condition than those from anyone else. I can tell that you secure them as well as anyone else but I think they must read who they are from and then someone gets them down and stamps them and then
[page 4] use them for a football and then just for good measure gives them a final kick. Maybe I’m a little hard on the mail carrier.
It seems to me that chewing gum has changed or maybe it’s the heat but it really don’t seem the same at least this that you sent doesn’t/ They don’t have the stuff here so I really get a kick out of that. I possibly won’t need the socks but I can always use them sooner or later.
The third day without mail but tomorrow is another day. I attended the Post War Planning meeting at the high school last nite. Al Case acted as chairman to start the meeting, then appointed Howard Washburn, Stu Beatly and H. Healy to select a chairman, Vice and Secy. The committee nominated Al for Chairman, Mary Roe, Vice and Bud Weldon, Secy. Others present were Newell Lamb, Judge R. Bower, Bill Ross, Mr. Brandt & Mrs. Brandt, Rebecca Cannon, Lucile Rhude, Howard Hiestand, Ira Dixon & Kenneth McCarty. The State is asking for such committees to be organized all over the state, in every town and city, and the purpose is to help take care of re-adjustments,
[page 2] etc., after the war. The think the committee decided to begin working on now is a recreation center for everybody, to be built next to the high school. Other projects were discussed but it was decided it would be better to concentrate on one thing. They are going to invite one of the Funk men to represent the company, Harold Foulkes, the Cheese Co., and Link having already been appointed to the committee to represent D. Davis Co. Since all three are sizeable concerns, for this size community, should be represented. I don’t know how all mentioned were appointed. I was asked to represent the Woman’s Club and Mary Roe the Jr. Club. I imagine Rebecca Cannon is from the Amer. Legion. – One thing that was mentioned was the ditch, and Bill Ross doesn’t want
[page 3] anything done that will interfere with his farm drainage, but I doubt if anything will be done about the ditch soon. We have had it this long so why hurry. To get along with the meeting, Judge Bower having a poker party in progress at his home had to leave before the meeting was over also Mrs. Cannon had to leave to attend same poker party. I wanted to tell the rest of the committee I was glad they could remain. Of course I didn’t say anything, but you know how important it is to our townfolk to keep up their poker, etc. I thought Rebecca was unusually quiet for her and I suppose she didn’t want to say too much when she didn’t intend to remain thru the whole meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for
[page 4] about a month from now. Will give you more dope on it later. I don’t know what you think of the whole thing, but I believe some good can be accomplished if this same group work on it.
It is warm and sunny today. I hung clothes out. There is just enough breeze to swish the clothes a little.
Nick’s grandma Ramp died yesterday at Mrs. Krull’s. She was 88 years old. I suppose you met her sometime. I never did. She was quite a character from all accounts.
There is a rabie scare around. Krulls had a dog that died and it was determined that he died from rabies so now all dogs are to be quarantined. Mark was so worked up over it he thought he might get rabies because he touched one of Sammon’s dogs. I told him he could only get the disease from the dog biting him or getting saliva into a cut – His imagination ran away with him for a while. John said he didn’t like dogs and they don’t like him.
Love Mother
P.S. David it out in his buggy getting some sun. Must go see how he is getting along.
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 3, 1944
Dear Mother,
You will have to explain to Mark that his birthday present might be a little late because due to something or other the P.O. isn’t issuing money orders just now but I’ll get one as soon as they are and maybe it will get there in time I hope.
It has rained a little this P.M. and is rather cool in fact so cool I’m thinking of adding a little extra heat. That is another thing
[page 2] these people here don’t believe in – central heat. Each home has several fireplaces and I don’t think they are used much at that of course I have no way of know[ing] if they are used or not. We have one in our lounge here and it hasn’t been used over once or twice and we have one in our officer’s club which has never been used.
I suppose you and the boys use our fireplace pretty frequently these days. I know how you used to like to do that in the evening.
This is before mail time – fooled you this time but not
[page 3] starting the letter with those few simple remarks. We should be due for some good air mail one of these days, but I believe I’ve said that on many occasions before.
I seemed to have stalled for it’s been about 10 min. between the last two sentences. I have a big map on the wall next to me of the Pacific Ocean and I keep looking at the latest war developments and then my eyes drop to N.Z. and off hand we are a considerable distance from the war, not to say, a more considerable from home.
I’ve often wondered about Gale Dye’s husband. I believe
[page 4] you said he returned to Hawaii after his 10 day leave. Who knows I may get a 10 day leave some of these days – I hope – That some of these days is a vague indefinite thing but a reality which will be an actuality in some not too distant future I hope.
No mail so let’s change the subjects and say –
“Lots of Love”
Daddy
No letters again today, but have up to Jan. 21 letters, so can’t complain.
It is foggy today and not cold. The sun came out for a little while but it’s cloudy again. It was so foggy this morning we could hardly see the trains go by. David likes to watch the trains. He isn’t tall enough to see them so unless he is in his bed we lift him up so he can watch. When the boys come in and give him their caps, he takes them to the closet to put away.
[page 2] I hope he keeps the good habit when he is old enough to put his own clothes away. He has a habit of pulling his bye-bye clothes out of the drawer most any time during the day. Unless it is bye-bye time, Mother has [to] put the things back and say, “No, not now.”
I see in the Democrat this week that Lt. Dale Jones has been promoted to Capt. and is in England. Gene Wilson is overseas, no address given. John Milligan is in the same place Floyd Remsburg and John Couch are stationed, somewhere in the S.W. Pacific. Pinky’s 10 furlough is up and he has gone back to Grenada, Miss.
Art Kenney is home now. Says he is on his way to the Pacific. He was wishing you would
[page 3] be home before he left, but evidently that won’t be. I heard over the radio news today that the Army is going to bring the men back for a furlough who have been out 18 months. That is news, because that is the first I have heard about the Army having such a program. It wasn’t so very long ago that an announcement was made that the Army promised no leaves for the men in the Pacific, but the Navy men would come home after 18 months.
Mrs. Zell told me yesterday that Bob Schurtter’s application for a commission in the Navy has gone thru and he is waiting now for his appointment. There was some mistake about
[page 4] it and he thought he hadn’t been accepted, but that was cleared up.
I think I wrote this before, that Al Cast is going to resign from the school system and take over Ellsworth’s business while E. is in the Army. E. is still home on deferment.
I hear a faucet dripping – so I must go and shut it off.
Love Mother
We planned to send you a Christmas greeting, but lots happened around here about then and mothering but mere essentials got our attention. Although we have not met, it seems I know you fairly well by knowing the rest of your family.
Mark and I do some swapping of work. Not long ago we cleared off and burned the gardens one evening after school. Another evening he burned brush and helped me saw up a maple top on Rinehearts lot to the North of our lot.
Ed Johnson and I had fun fixing up the electric train. Ed did some soldering and I got a new screw for the engine. Last Sunday all of us had dinner with your family. While the women decided some big problems, Mark and I put the train in operation here. He said he had some trouble this week but changed transformers and all is OK.
We want to tell you how much Virginia appreciated your letter last fall. She has faithfully kept it. It seemed to ease her. All of us regretted the whole incident so much.
You probably know Al Cast is going into Prairie Realty at the end of this school year.
[page 2] “Socky” is reported to be due for service soon, so I suppose Al will take over. Al and I were closely associated last summer on Farm Labor work. He is tactful and can put a lot of “fire” in the job when he wants to, so I think he’ll make good. The back porch “chorus” will be short at least one voice when Wilson leaves.
Sometimes I’m doubtful about being in the good grace of your family, especially you, after hearing reactions to other specimens known as county agents. I do work though and even get dirty at times. We are trying to do a lot of 4H club work including livestock and cropwork. Much of our time in the past 2 years (even before I came here) has been spent in helping farmer with labor and production efforts. The favorable weather, and the fact that farmers know no hours have done the job. Better seeds and methods have helped some I hope.
Speaking of active service, I passed my final physical last Tuesday. When I am called will depend upon how my Employer’s policy works out with Selective Service. Purdue (my Employer) has been requesting that experienced men stay on, but I know nothing except Army-Navy Doctors say I’m healthy.
Our office often helps organize “Drives.” Attended Red Cross planning session today. County Quota is $11,500, 150% of last March. Ira Dixon handles publicity. I know he would appreciate any story of Red Cross activity you have thought outstanding.
All of us join the members of your family wishing you a speedy return to the States.
No letters today, but had yours of Jan. 21 yesterday. This being ground hog day we were anxious to see what the weather would be. Not a trace of sun all day. In fact we had quite a little rain. We planned to go to Laf. to shop. Lucile called and said she had such a cold she didn’t feel like going, so Mrs. Z., Martha and I went. Alma W. kept D. for me. Lucile was going to take Jimmy Ed and David to her sisters, but since she couldn’t go, I called Alma and asked her to go along but she was working at Mrs. Stevens during the noon hour and said she would rather keep D. at home so after she got
[page 2] thru at the Restaurant took him to her house. She brought him home about 5 – He took a nice long nap for her and when he woke up she said he acted very “cute.” When I came home he acted very “smart” just like J. & M. used to do after being away from home for an afternoon or evening.
I don’t remember whether I mentioned it or not, but David can climb upon the studio cough on his own power. I went to see about him and there he said, looking as pleased with himself as he could.
I got a new red dress this P.M. Mrs. Z. got a new hat and few other things. I tried to shop for David but didn’t find anything I wanted. I bought a gift for Louise Glen’s baby girl. I never saw prices so high on children’s things as they are now. I know if we had girls I would make
[page 3] their clothes. Mrs. Z. and I looked at little girl things with Joy Funk in mind and came home without anything. I am knitting her a little jacket, but ran out of yard, so thought I would get something else, but found some yarn I might use to finish the jacket I am working on.
I saw the Funks in Laf. today. I knew they were going. I think they took Joy back for her first visit to the Dr. Also I suppose Louise went to the Dr. She is expecting her baby in the spring. She is still staying with Funks. However I don’t believe she doesn’t the work she used to do. Theresa Ann Lubberty helps after school. You remember her, but you wouldn’t know her now. You couldn’t believe how she has grown-out – must weigh 175.
[page 4] Mr. Zell passed his physical but I don’t know whether he will have to go. Purdue says the county agents are to stay put. Merle Ford passed his physical, along with Jr. Morton and several others in this community. I understand Jr. is in the Navy, but don’t know about Ford.
Mrs. Roberts called me yesterday – just to talk a few minutes and find out any news I might have. I told her I wasn’t too sure about the 18 mo. business and she said Joe had written the same. I told her we would just have to wait and see.
I just worked on the check book and our balance at present is $123.40, but I have to pay groc. bills out of that, and buy a bond for D. The bal. will be below $100 – before I get thru. Also Portteus is going to let us have half a beef and I may have to pay that yet this month, but there isn’t anything else I know of now. Ins. paid up at present.
This is an occasional series in which I recollect my own memories and attempt to share them with my children (or whomever will listen!). For more information about the purpose and scope of this series, read my introductory post.
November 2015
Dear Sea Turtle and Penguin,
It is a cloudy and wet Saturday. In many ways, the rain is a boon that we are all enjoying as it has been dry for months. California is experiencing a drought of epic proportions. Autumn has finally begun in Northern California. The temperature is dropping and we have turned our clocks back for the winter. When you are older, you may remember the years of the drought. But this weekend, as we are stuck inside, between laundry, grocery shopping, and other chores, we watched two of the original Star Wars movies: Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back. We are just over a month away from the release of the newest chapter in the franchise – The Force Awakens. But today, as we engaged in our typical banter over unrealistic plot points, we discussed which characters were puppets (Yoda), inhabited by dwarves (Jawas/R2D2), or giants (Chewbacca). I lectured over the CGI effects which were added into the digitally re-mastered versions from the 1990s. Sea Turtle, you are much like me in my love of fantasy books and films/shows, but you have never bought into the Star Wars hype. I feel that I have failed in passing on my nerdy ways to you in this respect. Penguin, I love that you are enjoying the Star Wars universe. Your Uncle J was almost your age when the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977 so it is wonderful to watch your joyful energy as you take in the stories.
Today, in 2015, the Stars Wars universe is almost 40 years old. It is already a firmly established part of popular culture. But I remember a world where Star Wars did not exist, even for a brief time. Up until then, science fiction shows like Star Trek and Doctor Who had limited special effects. We laugh at how pathetic those special effects seem today. Star Wars was a whole new ball game in 1977. People lined up around the corner of movie theatres to see the next showing. They also went back, again and again.
The Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980. Of the three original Star Wars films, I think this one is my favorite. There was a lot of anticipation in the three years between the first two movies, but even more so between the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The last film was released in 1983. In the 1990s, George Lucas digitally re-mastered the three films, adding CGI effects that had not been possible only a decade or two previously. Your dad and I went to see these “new” old films together, as well as, the three new movies that comprised the prequel trilogy: ThePhantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. I shall refrain from giving my opinion on these three movies.
David with Deborah, circa 1978, Mt. Wachusett
Star Wars became part of popular culture and it hasn’t really ever gone away. Uncle J and I had the soundtrack to the movie which we played over and over again. Our favorite piece was the background music for the cantina in Mos Eisley. We loved to listen to it on the record player. We owned Star Wars themed t-shirts, toys, sheets, legos and so on. Even today we have Star Wars items around the house from Han Solo (frozen in carbonite) ice cube trays to the Darth Vader mask and light saber toys. And, of course, we have all the movies in our DVD library. For Christmas this year, I am fairly certain there will be at least one Star Wars themed present.
Memory is a funny thing. When the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977, many of the big fast food chains sold drinking glasses. They had colorful decals on the outside with cartoons or other popular characters. In July 1977, a few weeks after Star Wars was released, McDonald’s was investigated by the FDA for having too much lead in the decals on their glasses. Uncle J and I owned several of these glasses and they were thrown away as a precaution. We loved those glasses and like typical children we were devastated. In my mind, those glasses were Star Wars themed. However, after examining several old newspapers, it does not seem possible that the glasses were Star Wars after all. Burger King won the bidding for the Star Wars franchise and began selling glasses in 1980.
The Berkshire Eagle, 9 July 1977, p. 1, col. 1-2. Image courtesy of Newspapers.com
I am looking forward to seeing the new movie in a few weeks. The anticipation for this movie is incredible, especially after seeing many of the trailers over the last few months. The original stars (Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford) will have parts in the new movie and that brings back quite the feeling of nostalgia of a time long, long ago…
I hope you enjoy the new movie,
Love,
Mom
Genealogy Tip:
When interviewing a family member, bear in mind that memories are fallible. Record what they remember, but do some research. Can their memories be backed up with contemporary sources? Until I tried to find evidence about the glasses that were thrown away in 1977, I firmly believed that they were Star Wars themed. Now, I’m not so sure….
The first day of Feb. – Yours of Jan. 21 came today. It was unusually warm for Feb. 1 –
Took David for a walk. We went to Jimmy’s and then we all walked again. The boys enjoying playing or riding together. David won’t leave his mitten on, then J. gets a similar idea so we are busy putting mittens on. we came from our walk, Mark, D. & I went to Sheldon to get a supply of meat and our fresh lard. Harold Portteus (just out of the hospital, just recovering from hernia operation) called today to say we could have
[page 2] half the beef they have ready to butcher, so we will have a new supply T-bone steaks, etc. I brought some strawberries and lima beans from the locker. We had some berries for supper. They weren’t thawed enough – as far as I am concerned I would just about as soon eat chunks of ice. The boys enjoyed them, so that is all that is necessary. The berries I bought last year weren’t so good for freezing – they did very well in the preserves.
Mr. Z. went to Indpls. for his physical today. Several were going from here. I think Jr. Morton was in the bunch. Mr. Z. is registered at Brookville but asked to go with the men from here.
[page 3] Davie Diedam is here this evening playing with Mark and the electric train. Our David likes the train too.
Mary McGee Arnott is visiting in Kent for a few days. She had a bunch of pictures of her baby and a picture from her husband, somewhere in England. He was standing by a jeep on which was pained their baby’s name, Marylin Sue. He had to leave before their baby was born. She didn’t know where he was when she was in the hospital, but she did send a cable to his A.P.O. number.
We are getting low on coal again. I called Chet Harlan and he promised us some when the next load comes in a week or 10 days.
[page 4] I washed the chair cover last night and got them ironed and back on this afternoon. They show up the furnace dirt more than anything else because their light background – Everybody who burns coal “gripes” about how dirty it is this year, but I suppose we should be thankful to have coal at all.
I was appointed by the woman’s club on a committee for Post War Planning. The first meeting is Thurs. evening at the High School. I don’t have the slightest idea what they intend to do but will give you the “dope” after the meeting.
John is working on his essay. You remember he won second prize last year writing in competition with high school students.
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 31, 1944
Dear Mother,
I’m writing before mail time again and hope. Of course, mail came only two days ago but it wasn’t such late mail. Just a little over 2 wks. and generally we get the latest in just a little less than two weeks.
Notice the date another month all used up and then we go into the one which we hope has a meaning but which isn’t too promising I’m afraid, however. One never knows.
I forgot to tell you – about 3 days ago I had a woman patient.
[page 2] The wife of a U.S. service man. I was so excited I hardly knew what to ask her – She is going to have a baby and came in for her first prenatal check up. A patient with that diagnosis is an unusual thing for me. That here isn’t my usual work, but since the usual Dr. who takes care of that was busy he asked me to pinch hit. No I don’t mean that. I didn’t pinch or hit the lady either one. Anyway we got the little lady taken care of.
One of the Dr. here it seems run low on white shirts and has laundered one himself and hung it on the fence outside my window and I’m watching
[page 3] it with interest because it might blow off. Maybe I just want it to blow off or something. I don’t think it can now because one sleeve is now well anchored on the barbs of the upper strand of wire. He will probably have to med mend a hole if the wind blows hard enough to tear the thing.
Just saw a bus go down the road and noticed something I don’t believe I’ve mentioned before. Baby carriages on the back. That is very common. In town there are hooks on the front of the street car for the carriages and one often sees 4 or 5 of them there. When Mother and babe
[page 4] get off the car, the conductor gets out and takes the carriage down and away they go. I mean the mother and babe. I can’t imagine that at home but maybe with gas shortage, etc., thinks have changed there.
I’ll get a money order tomorrow for Mark’s birthday. I can’t send money because we don’t get any American money anymore but we can use this to buy money orders. At first we were paid with New Zealand our money and then could get it changed but now it’s all foreign. It doesn’t matter because one finally learns how to make change, etc.
Well, I guess I’d better do something else for a change
Love Daddy
As a genealogist, I spend copious amounts of time tracking down long dead ancestors to glean vital clues about their lives. But, what if I had a time machine? Like most people, I would jump at the chance to go back and find out everything I possibly could. One of the first things any new researcher should do when embarking on their genealogical quest is to interview living family members. Many of us regret that we didn’t ask those questions or care about listening to the family stories until after those family members are gone.
But what if you could do something today to help the future generations of researchers? This is a topic which has been swirling around in my head for awhile now. I have two school-aged children, and while I occasionally bore them with stories of my life, research shows that children who know their family’s stories are better adjusted and able to deal with challenges and adversity. A few years ago, I participated in a project called the Book of Me. Participants were given a weekly prompt to use to write about themselves. While I wrote quite faithfully at the beginning of the project, I lost interest. Perhaps the topics were too contrived. I cannot say for sure. I think the project has a lot of potential (and I recommend it to anyone who wants a way to record their story). I gained several friendships with fellow genealogists while I was participating. If you are interested in reading some of my Book of Me posts, you can find them archived under the My Ancestors tab at the top of the page.
So, how DO I go about writing my stories, beyond the standard genealogical birth-marriage-death vital statistics? I think the answer to the question is different for everyone. I have always been in awe of my father, diligently writing his life down in his journal everyday (a habit which he acquired in the weeks after my birth). I have attempted to keep a journal at various times in my life, but it is not a habit that I have found addicting. I have been thinking of solutions to this dilemma. How do I record ME for my descendants and future generations? Transcribing daily letters for the past three years has made a mark upon my psyche. In the back of my mind, I have been keeping a notebook of ideas of things and events from my life that I would like to write down. Potential topics range from foods that I ate as a child to the social history of events that I lived through.
I have tentatively settled on the format of writing letters to my children. Each letter will focus on a different topic. Posts may be sporadic as the urge to write comes over me. Topics will definitely not be chronological, and may jump around on my timeline. To protect as much as possible the identities of my children, they will known as Sea Turtle and Penguin, animals which they love and have been affectionately nicknamed. While these posts are mainly for myself and my children, I hope, dear readers, that you enjoy reading about my life. Stay tuned for my first letter!
Genealogy Lady 