Letter, Irene Conole to her parents
A letter from Irene Conole to her parents. Irene writes about the weather, shopping, and gossiping with “the boys.” She reports that her friend Sam has written to her about a potential job tending bar in Rochester, which she has urged him to take, and asks if her brother Henry is out of a job since his employer has sold the company. Irene notes that she will be wearing her new white uniform since the weather has changed and that she plans to buy two new dresses. She writes that she is expecting her friend Rosie to visit soon and that she has been studying for an upcoming test to advance to the rank of Seaman.
[page 1]
25 Mar. 1953
Dear Mom and Dad,
Nothing new has happened around
here but the weather has been beautiful
for the past five days but it has been
raining all day today.
I went outside the gate and did
some shopping and then went to the Navy
Exchange and had some coffee. Had a big session
with the boys and heard the latest gossip.
Fr. Lynch’s mother died last week.
Received a letter from Sam and
they are settled in their new home on
Emerson St. He says that he was offered
a job as bartender in the Midtown on
the weekends. I advised him to take it
for he complains to me that there isn’t
anything for him to do there on the week-
ends. He also wants to know when I am
coming home again and I wrote and
asked him to come down and visit me.
Now I’m waiting to see what he writes
in his next letter.
We are now wearing white gloves and
white hat covers as of Monday. Next month
I think we will be wearing are our grey dresses.
[page 2]
2. I am going to buy two more dresses
and that will give me six.
Henry wrote me about Bastian Bros.
selling out. Does that mean that he is out
of a job? If so, I hope he finds another
one easily.
I know Ray Carroll is out of the service
for I saw him on a Saturday night when
I was home last time and out with Sam. He
didn’t recognize me but I asked him if he
forgot people easily. He was quite surprise
and we had quite a conversation comparing
notes. The fellow with him use to live
on the corner of our street, on Lake Ave, and
he too is out of the service.
I was wondering how Nellie would
like the service if they took her but as for
Rosie, I can’t see it.
When you see Rosie, after she has been
down here, ask her what she thought of
the place. If they stay over Saturday night
they will go to the dance at the club but I
won’t be able to visit with them for I will be
on duty. I bet she will have lot to say
about the fellows here especially their
being younger than us.
This being my night off I am trying
to answer all my letters. I am writing
this fast before the lights go out so I
notice where I leave a few words out.
Oh well.
Did Aunt Irene call Aunt Mayme up and
[page 3]
3. tell her about uncle Mark?
I have been using the atomizer but
sometimes I forget. I’m going to see if
they have the same thing outside the gate.
I gave myself a home permanent
tonight. The Pin Wave set I used and
it’s the same one I used a couple of times at home.
The two proofs of Mike were cute and
boy is he chubby! I’m anxious to see
the picture they had made of him.
I am going to read some more of
my Blue Jackets Manual for I plan
on taking my Seaman test next month.
A couple of fellows in the education
building are helping me find something
I can strike for and not have to have
any typing. After seaman comes third
class petty officer and most of the tests
for the rate requires typing twenty words
a minute. I hate the idea of learning
how to type to make third class.
I guess this is all for now and
give my love to James.
Love and Kisses
Irene