August 18, 1945

Below is the text from the letter.
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Dear Wilma, Dad & All:

It’s been a little while since I’ve heard from you and I guess its been as long since I’ve written. I thought a month ago that I would probably be home by now but here it is nineteen months and still not much of a chance in sight even if the war is over.

I hear they have lifted gas rationing. I’ll bet it seems funny to not use those stamps.

How is Dad and everybody getting along?

I got a letter from Lena yesterday and she send me a bunch of pictures that was taken while Neva was there. Everybody looks to me like they’ve changed a lot, especially all the kids. I probably won’t know any of them.

Aline is still working in Alton Ill. I guess she will stay there till I get back.

Did Claude ever get all his trouble settled? I sure hope he did. The letter I got from Lena yesterday is the first one I’ve had from everybody except Aline since the last of June.

I’m hoping I’ll be home within the next month and should be but one never can tell about the Navy.

Write when you can

Love
Elmer



Sun. Morning

Hello Again:

I got a nice long ten page letter from you this morning so I’ll add a little to the one I wrote you last nite.

I sure was glad to get your letter this morning. It had been so long since I had heard from you. I was wondering if you were sick or something.

I sure hope Claude gets things straightened out. I sure would hate to see him drafted or something. I know that the Merchant Marines is a lot better than the Navy.

They tell me that when we get back from out here they give us a choice of where we want to go for duty so I think I’ll try to get Olathe, Kan. If I can, they have an air base there or maybe the Navy Air Base at St. Louis.

I guess though I had better get back just before I start thinking about where I want duty.

I guess probably in another year I’ll be able to get out of the Navy and I’m not sure yet what I’ll do when I get out. I can go back to work for the light co. in Tipton I guess but they don’t pay too much. I guess I’ll have to consult Aline on that anyway since I won’t altogether be my own boss anymore.

I’m sure glad she and I have saved a little money because from the papers jobs are going to be awfully scarce for us guys for a while.

In Lena’s letter I got she never mentioned anything about that letter so maybe she won’t. I guess I should be a little more careful about what I write but I usually say just what I think I guess. I don’t care though my opinion is my own business.

In case a miracle happens and I get out of here soon, I’ll call you as soon as I het the west coast and find out how soon I get a leave. I wanted Aline to meet me in K.C. but her folks are planning on a wedding so I guess I’ll have to go there first for a few days and then we can dome back to K.C. together.

That ice cream and chicken really does sound good. I’ll probably gain ten pounds on your cooking. I’ll bet I could eat three chickens right now with no trouble.

Tell Bill I’m pretty well wrote out. Be sure and don’t wait so long next time to write.

Lots of Love
Elmer