Sunday February 15, 1942

At Sea, Somewhere in the North Atlantic

My Sweet Vivienne

It is Sunday morning here, wherever hear is, and I am glad to report that I am feeling much better. I have my Sea Legs, and my appetite is strong. I have just returned from church, I have a picture of you in my Bible that I am using as a bookmark, it will be safe there and the two things that I love the most can be together. Our church or mess hall as it is called most of the week was packed with men. I suspect that some of these men have not been to church in years and that only the fear of death brings them here now. I wish the love of God was the motivator, but I guess coming to God is what is important and not how you get there.

I am afraid that I can not tell you much about the sermon, my mind was drifting back to all of the times we sat in church together listening to Reverend Hamilton preach, I’m afraid that some times I didn’t listen to him either, my mind being on you. I should have more self-control I know, but you occupy my thoughts so. Even now I think about you often. We have not seen the German Navy, not even one single U-Boat, but we drill constantly for an attack. I suspect that the Navy guys just like to keep us busy, as I don’t see how anything that we do will mitigate any damage the Germans may inflict upon us. But all most of these men can talk about is the impending doom of war, to me it is but a vague threat in the future, where as your memory is strong and I can feel you presents with me when I read you letter and touch your scarf. So for now the future is only filled with thoughts of you and the time we had together. I am sure that at some point soon the War will intrude and make it otherwise.

I have met a nice man here on ship, he is Charlie Applewhite from Kentucky, he is a young farmer, and is happy as a child at Christmas to be here. He tells me that living on a farm is to dull for a smart guy like him. I’m sure his family misses him greatly, but he seems to be having the time of his life. He is a hoot to be around and he brings a smile to all of our faces whenever we are blue.

I must end here, time for another drill soon I suspect. I will write again soon.

Love
Jack

P.S.

I had to take this letter out of the sealed envelope to write this post script, I need to write this down while I could. During the drill it was Charlie’s turn to live fire, as the call it, one of the anti-aircraft guns. You may have seen pictures these large machine guns mounted to the decks of ships. Charlie was having the time of his life firing at the factious German Air force, when the bolt jammed and a round exploded in the chamber of the gun, sending the whole of the bolt into Charlie’s face, I will not describe to you the horror that I saw, but Charlie was fortunate that he did not live long. What will they tell his family?