Letter, Irene Conole to her parents
A letter from Irene Conole to her parents describing what her life is like on the Naval base. Irene writes about switching to winter uniforms, being moved to different barracks, her first exams, getting vaccinated, and receving care packages from friends back home. Irene’s uniform boots had to be special ordered because she wears a size eleven. She reports that her Company Commander is “a wonderful woman” and asks for them to send her a box of “chees-ettes” in her next care package.
[page 1]
Oct. 19, 1952
Dear Mom and Dad,
I just got through reading the Sunday
news and the funnies. Before that I washed
and starched my blouses. We will be going
into our blue uniforms soon for it’s
getting colder here. The kids are singing and
are in great spirits.
Friday night we moved into another
barracks for ours is being painted. In
about three weeks we have to move back.
In our barracks we have some new
recruits. Three of them are Phillipinoes from
Puerto Rico and two more are from Alaska.
Boy they’re from all over the States.
Did you get my identification bracelet?
If so, would you send it? By the way, I
received an income tax form from Rose
Fergusen, the chief operator. So I don’t think
you will be getting my checks for another two
weeks.
We had our first exams yesterday and
I believe I did all right on them. I hope so.
I wrote Sister yesterday and it will
be mailed today.
I received a letter from Mary Leathem
[page 2]
Friday and she said that Marie Connors,
the one that works with me and goes around
with Mamie and Aunt Mayme, said that
Aunt Mayme was saying she heard from
me and that I like the Navy life. Did
Aunt Mayme call you, for I haven’t written
her but I am going to today. I also wrote
Aunt Anna and Mary Lee. Boy there are
days when I don’t have a chance to breathe.
I’m going to the show tonight and
relax for a change.
My vaccination took and does it itch!
I have a scab on it now and it should be
falling off any day now. Some girls have to
have another vaccination for theirs didn’t
take.
In three weeks we go on service week.
That consists of working all week all over
the base. That’s the only time we don’t have
classes. After that we get what they call a
pelvic. That’s to find out if our insides
are OK and if we are pregnant. Isn’t that
cute of them? Oh well that’s life.
I have received two boxes from Coleen
so far. They were chocolate chip and peanut
butter cookies and fudge with walnuts.
When we get a box of food, it has to be
gone that same day. That is easy to do for
the kids all help to eat it and everyone
shares their boxes. If you haven’t sent me a
box yet you can put a box of of chees-ettes in
it.
[page 3]
3. I mailed my box of clothes to you Friday
so you can be looking for it.
I sent Theresa Giralies a birthday card
today.
My face has cleared up beautifully but
my neck has broken out a little. That’s happened
to quite a few girls and we’ve decided it
must be the water. I don’t wear any make-up
what so ever. We don’t have a chance to doll
up.
Out of our pay we have to spend twenty –
eight dollars on undergarments and we have
to give the sales slips to our Company Com –
mander to prove we have spent the money.
I should have saved my slips and brought
them with me
I’m still wearing sneaks and I will be
for another two weeks. They say I have to
wear size 11 shoes for drill so they are on
special order in Brooklyn. I asked my Co.
Commander what was wrong with the
Navy and didn’t they expect girls with big
feet to enlist. She just laughs and said
to bear with them. She is a wonderful
woman and after Christmas she expects to
make Chief Petty Officer and go to Hawaii.
I hope she makes it.
Well I guess I’ll close for now and
say hello to Mickey and Steffie for me.
Love and kisses,
Irene