Ye Olde Happy Valley

February 19, 1954

Portsmouth, Va.

Jim's next stop on Happy Valley

Hi Doll,

How's the world treating you?

I'm O.K. except for a little homesickness as usual, but I'll get over that.

I thought yesterday I was gonna be transferred, but I guess not. They were supposed to let me know today and I didn't hear any more about it, so it looks like I'll pull another cruise on "ye olde Happy Valley." 

I'll be glad when my hitch is up and I can get off this tub. Do you realize I have 34 months aboard here and it looks like by the time I get out, it will be 44.

We leave here Tuesday for Quonset Point, Rhode Island to pick up an air group. I don't think there will be more than 30 or 40 planes. I hope not, the fewer planes, the less work.

"Yes," honey, if we could see each other we could work this thing out but I won't be able to get home until I get out, which won't be too much longer. I would like so much to hold you in my arms again and kiss your lips, then whisper how much I love you. But that's not possible. We are so far apart. The worst was when I was home. Not seeing you while I was on leave just didn't seem right, and still doesn't, for that matter.

Angel, I gotta sign off now and get ready to hit the sack. Taps will go pretty shortly.

Answer soon.

I love you, sweetheart, 

Jim

Click here to read the next letter.

Five Months Later

[Editor's note: After months of consistently placing the stamp for each letter upside down, signaling "I love you," the stamp on the envelope for this letter is right side up.  In all of the previous letters, Jim's handwriting has been consistently difficult to decipher. However, in this letter it is clear with well defined margins and precise lines on unruled stationery.]

February 14, 1954

Norfolk, Va.

Jim's family photographed by Norma in Patton Park, Detroit, September, '53
while Jim was home on leave. Front row, from left John Wyly Parker, Bertha
Sterling Parker, Larry Ray Parker. Second row from left: John Moses Parker,
Walter Wayne Parker, Polly Ann Parker Sparks, James Connie Parker, JoAnn Parker Oxford

Hi Norma,

This may come as a surprise to you, then maybe it won't be a surprise at all. I don't know how to say what I want to. It's like you said, if we could only see each other for just a little while, but that's pretty near impossible, I guess.

It wouldn't have been last week. I was home for 4 days but I didn't have the time or money to come to Detroit. I thought of calling and asking you if you could come down here for the weekend but I decided against it. I guess I was a little too ashamed to do a thing like that.

You were right, "honey," I guess we still love each other. At least I can speak for myself. I can't apologize for the last letter I wrote*. I wouldn't know how. I'll just say I'm sorry if it hurt you, but I doubt if it hurt you as much as it has me. 

Norma, if you think I deserve an answer, please write right away. If you don't, I have no one to blame but myself.

All my love,

Jim

*Norma may not have saved the letter that Jim refers to as "the last." The last letter in the collection is #136 and is hardly controversial. 

Click on this link to read the next letter.