15 FEBRUARY 1945
U.S.S. Prairie
Dearest Mary,
Your letter arrived last week. I was certainly surprised to hear about Virginia's Wedding. If I was so-so because nobody had told me before - then next mail call I received a X-mas card from the Wrights telling me about it. Their card was mailed the 15th December. It takes a long time for 3¢ mail to get out here. It often takes longer than second class mail. Pony Express we call it.
Mom writes from Florida and I guess everything is fine. She is hoping Aunt Gertrude gets well quickly so that they can do a little town painting. In the meantime, Pop continues to sit warm out a lonesome existence by his enforced hermitage. Nevertheless, I have put Veen on his trail - that is, to put on the show on Saturday night.
Here's hoping for the best on your Scholarship. If anybody in the clan deserves it, you do, believe me.
So Barbara Wright a O.B. or what? I never did answer her letter written last summer. I couldn't, also left me some screwy business address. Now that I have her home address I'll give Uncle Matt and Aunt Lea a thrill. Maybe I'll write her at D.D. - where? Daumitry or what?
Now I know you're getting to visit a house or home (is that what they call 'em). One almost forgets what one looks like. In order to refresh my memory I have a picture of 1134 Webb that brings back a glimmer of family life. What with 2 years at Kiski and so many in the navy, the past four years haven't given me much home-life. But just wait until I do get back - woooof.
I don't have to sleep on deck anymore. When I made my rate (when I also inherited bunk and locker). My rack is the top one of a four tier lay-out. Quite a climb - especially at night (when her drift). If at night when I make more noise than a load of elephants - (not much difference). Gally, now since becoming a RM3/c I make 96 dollars a month. A fortune no less. I'm figuring on sending Pop a fifty dollar monthly allotment. It will add up. Since I have no use for money out here. I'm also sending $400 within a couple weeks. I figured that it isn't wise to have a lot of money on the books should anything happen to the "Mighty P". With War bond and Insurance deductable - that leaves me 30 odd bucks a month to have on hand for ready use.
We've been having plenty of good movies lately. Meet Me in St Louis (Hollywood Edition, to Have or don't Have it (have not), Why thought of you and lots of others. We are just recently beginning to have the top six parade tunes. Don't judge me to and the like.
"The Feather Merchants" (your & new book) is still making the rounds and is top favorite. I've lent it to close to a hundred fifty fellows. Most of them read it in an hour two but they are really enjoyable hours.
How do you like the picture on the stationary. Big Eagle and all. Purty nice eh?
Well, gal o'mine, this here will hasta sorta do all for today. I always do like hearing from you.
lots of love,
ME (yes!! that's w/
Bud
[ILLUSTRATION 1: Left side - Drawing of a house labeled "HOME SWEET" with a sailor figure labeled "YENNE WITH" standing beside it, with ladder and small details]
[ILLUSTRATION 2: Right side - Drawing of two large palm trees with a small figure beneath them]