Updates will resume Saturday, then get interrupted again by a return to Seattle with my kids for Tuesday’s funeral. After April 3rd things should return to normal.
I discovered after dad’s passing that he had saved (thanks to his mother) most of the letters he sent home while he was in the Navy (1952-1955). I spent the last two days reading and scanning them. So, I ran out of time yesterday for most updates.
When he entered the Navy, Dad owned (most likely) a WWII jeep that he drove all over, including up to Brighton to ski (which is still a ski area above Salt Lake … the letters detail just how ski crazy he was .. and, he would work at Brighton after his Navy stint). Anyway, he left the jeep in the care of his parents and two brothers. In various letters, he advised them to be careful with it, to run it, to maintain it, and finally, as this letter shows, he asked them “Don’t wreck my jeep.” … a few months later, my grandfather sold the jeep for a Dodge PowerWagon, with dad’s blessing.
The account below was during his second week of basic training in San Diego. He was 19 at the time:
The letter reads,
Dear Mom,
We have started on our second week and things are still a little hard. I got your letter about the electric razor and stamps. You can send me both of them. Also, you can send me some cookies and candy. I am glad to hear about Carl, give him my best. I hope the weather is better out there than down here. It is hot in the day and cold at night. Say hello to everyone for me,
Love Karl
P.S. Don’t wreck my jeep .. write soon.
I hope your family and friends tell you some great stories about your dad on Tuesday, that’ll give you some comfort.
And like your dad, I guess we’re all members of the Don’t Wreck My Jeep Club.
Dave, Really neat letter in so many ways and thanks for posting it. By the way, “Don’t Wreck My Jeep” would be a great book title. Matt
Matt, that would be a good title … hmmmm.
DEAR SIR — IF YOUR POP WAS A NAVY MAN , OPT FOR THE NAVY AT SEA FUNERAL — ITS FREE FOR NAVY VETS — BOTH OF MY WW2 PARENTS WERE WW2 NAVY HEROS — MA AND PA , WERE COMMITTED TO THE SEA OFF THE USS AMERICA LAST YEAR — PLUS THEY SEND THE FAMILY VIDEOS OF THE SERVICE , 21 GUNS SALUTES , CAPTAINS SPEAKING , CHAPLAINS GIVING A NONDEMONINATIONAL SERVICE , SAILORS AT ATTENTION — THE WORKS — PLUS LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF THE COMMITTMENT — ITS THE ONLY WAY TO GO !! — ANCHORS AWEIGH !!
Dad may have been in the Navy, but I wouldn’t call him a Navy man, especially since he never served on a ship. And, his enlistment was finished, he put it behind him. Since it was his goal to be buried, we’ll be burying him in a veteran cemetery (which is free, too).