The Pearl Harbor Collection contains personal narratives, photographs, diaries, correspondence, and governmental papers that relate to men, women, children and ships present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Transcription of Item: "U.S.S. Arizona, M Div.
Fleet Post Office
Pearl Harbor, T. H
Dear Sister,
It was awful nice to hear your voice but that just make me want to see you so very much more. I was hoping that maybe we could all be there this time but I understand how things were. And as you know I'll be coming back again. Maybe next time I'll get all the way to Texas. Yes, I really want to return for a short visit. You'd be surprised how you really get lonesome to see the old place. Of course we're usually disappointed in everything but it do[sic] relieve the pain. I'm so curious to just see how much things have changed + how many of my old friends are still friends. Yes, sis, I've wanted to come home for a long time. Somehow it just seems like I'll never make it. There is always something to stop me. This time it was to[sic] short a stay + the fact that I didn't have the money for an airplane trip back. See we must put up that money to get very far from port.
I was surprised at Oma's + Lou's looks. You know those kids haven't changed one little bit since last time. They are still the same two girls that told me good-bye almost six years ago. In case you don't remember I've been in the navy almost that long.
Jane, I'm sorta worried. At present I'm not living. This old stuff of being home a month out of a year just isn't living.
[pg 2]At present that is about what it amounts to. So for this year I[sic] been home 21 days + a couple of those were just till mid-night. I do have hopes of another visit to the states in about six months but just hopes. Now, I'm wondering if it is worth it. At present my pay is $126.90. I have a good chance of a raise next year to put me up to $143.40 which in a year will automatically advance to $163.10 a month. That is about as high as I can go. After twenty years I'll be able to retire on $63.40 and after ten years will get an income to $118.90. That early retirement with even such a small pay is something to think about but is it worth it. I'd like to know what you think. I'm sorta worried about my chances on the outside.
Sis, I'm sorry I didn't get to talk with mother + dad while we were to-gether. There just wasn't time to do it all + things were in such a confusion that we never got around to that. As far as that goes we just couldn't get out[sic] minds down to earth. I'm just as much in the dark now as ever as to what is best to do. What say we sorta let things ride until mother makes up her mind. Then if it don't suit us we'll try to change it. I was thinking that it might be wise to let her sorta move in with Johnnie + I. It would be much easier for you girls + you could come to see her where I couldn't if she lived with you.
[pg 3]Well, sis, there isn't anything to write that I can write. There will probably [be] some snooper reading this to see how much he can cut out. So until next time I'll call off the [illegible]
Just remember brother loves you just as much as ever + would like very much to see you,
Lots of love to my big Sis
From
Brother"
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