Letter, Irene Conole to her parents

[page 1]
11 July 1953
Dear Mom & Dad,
I liked the pictures especially
the one where I’m holding Mike and he’s
trying to move around in my arms. Janet
wasn’t in when I got your letter so I
put her set on her bunk.
Ah yes, Pat was glad to see me.
We went to the beach last Sunday and
took some pictures. The wind was
blowing like mad and I’m dying to see
how they turn out. We went out last Monday
night for the last time, for a while
anyway. He was recommended for
school of which he knew nothing
about. His orders came through last
Friday and he left that following
Tuesday morning for Jacksonville Fla.
He was going to refuse it because he
didn’t want to leave me and his
orders don’t read returnable to Pax River.
So I talked to him and told him to go
for that school is equal to two years

[page 2]
II
of college in electrical engineers. On
his week ends off he is going to catch
a hop from there down to here. We are
also going to correspond. I received a
letter from him yesterday and he wrote
an hour after he hit Jacksonville. He
doesn’t have to report aboard the base
till Monday so I hope he writes again
for he didn’t put his address on the
first letter.
The Torpedoman that I have been
writing to since last November has
been mentioning marriage in an
around about way. Yikes, it seems
everyone wants to get married!
I haven’t heard from Aunt Anna
yet but I have written her.
I sent Eric two shirts for his
birthday. His birthday is tomorrow and
he won’t get my present for at least
another two weeks. I was a little slow
in sending it.
I knew one of the crew that was
onboard the airplane that crashed. He

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III
was a chief. They held the services for
them at the Drill Hall yesterday. For
the first time in ten years all the
boys and Waves in UR-1 marched
together down to the services. One of
the fellows that died stated in a
will that he wanted to be buried at sea.
The plane that crashed was brand new.
Before the take off, the inspectors from
the plant that make them, were down
looking at it. That same night a jet
blew up before take off. Then the next
morning the Cutlass, a jet and which is
considered a death trap, crashed into
three cars when it was coming in
for a landing. The landing gear collapsed.
It demolished a 50 Ford completely. Then
that same afternoon a flying boat, seaplane,
lost one of its skiis when it was landing.
Boy, everything has been happening here!
Janet just called me and said she
loved the pictures and she thanks you
very much. She is giving the picture of
herself to her boyfriend. He leaves in

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IV
August.
Oh before I forget. I owe a Wave,
who is stationed in Norfolk Va, a letter
but she didn’t put her address on her
last letter. So would you look through
my letters for hers. She puts her address
on the back of her letters so that’s
where you’ll find it. Her name is
Eileen Sarricks and the postmark
is Norfolk Va. Copy the address and
send it to me. I thank you. The letters
are in shoeboxes under my dresser.
After payday, which is Thursday, I’ll
send you ten dollars. Five is for the bank
and the other five is for the suit that is
too be dyed black. That suit is on the
little rocking chair in my bedroom.
I’m writing this letter at the club
and one of the board of directors who is
a very nice guy says to say hello to you.
His name is Henchy. His girlfriend’s name
is also Irene.
Last Thursday night we had another
variety show and the Admiral came to it.

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V
When he was leaving, someone was
playing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”
on the piano. So Bud, the fellow that
brought Janet and I home, asked me
to dance. So we were waltzing by the
door and the Admiral saw us. He
stopped and applauded us.
It’s a shame about the polio in
Elmira. Personally I don’t think Henry
and Betty should go. Not at this time
especially.
I hope Steffie answers all the
questions. Let me know what happens.
I think I’ll close now and take
it easy. Bye for now.
Love and Kisses
Irene
P.S. Give James my love and I’m
glad he’s having a nice vacation.