Letter, Irene Conole to her parents
A letter from Irene Conole to her parents upon returning to Patuxent River after a visit home. She reports that she has arrived safely and that she will have to work at the upcoming Valentine’s dance. She notes that a girl is being transferred for drinking too much and that others have been accused of stealing clothes. The cleaners off base caught fire and Irene is one of the people who will need to be compensated for a damaged uniform.
[page 1]
11 Feb. 1953
Dear Mother and Dad,
We made it back just fine. Got
here at 4:00 am. Boy Johnson is a good
driver and I can relax with him. The
next time I come home, I’m coming up
with him.
Today it started snowing which was
a surprise.
Since I’m not working tonight, Janet
and I are going to the show.
Saturday night there is a Valentine’s
dance and that means I’m going to be
tired. I have to do a lot of walking
around and check the girls including the
two bus loads of girls that come in
from Washington.
Yesterday I received a letter from
Mrs. Stowell and she was glad to hear
from me. She wants to see me sometime
when I’m home. She says she doesn’t
see any of the old crowd and guess
that they have outgrown her.
[page 2]
2. Sunday when I was over at the
store I saw Margaret Robertson and
she didn’t know I was in the Navy.
Boy she was surprised! It’ll be 5
months the 30th that I have been in.
Sometimes it seems years.
Quite a few people missed me over
the weekend and all had to ask what
I did. The girls love my clothes especially
my coat.
We’ve had some excitement the last
couple of days. Yesterday they pulled a sea
bag inspection on the compartment
cleaners and if they had anyone else’s
gear they were accused of stealing. They are
trying to stop the loaning of gear (clothes)
which I think is a very good idea.
One girl is being transferred due to the
fact that she drinks too much. She drinks
in the barracks and they are trying
to find out who is bringing the liquor
in.
The cleaners outside the gate went up
in flames yesterday afternoon. Five
months ago the other cleaners went
up in smoke too. They’ll have to pay
the people for their clothes and I’m
one of them. I took my uniform in
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3. around 2:30 pm and the plant went
at 4:30 pm. So they will have to give me
$23.00 for a new one and I have my
slip.
Oh before I forget. Will you send me my
blue shoes along with the black low
shoes I left behind. The blue ones are
like the black ones I brought with me.
I need a can opener too.
Well guess I’ll take a nap now
before I go out. So bye bye for now. Give
my love to James.
Love and Kisses
Irene