Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Last Letter

April 25, 1954
Norfolk, Va.

Scan of the stationery box Norma kept with the letters
Hi Doll,

How's things with you? I got two letters from you today for a change. 

We hit Norfolk this morning and were supposed to have some sort of ceremonies for visitors, but we didn't rate a pier to tie up. We had to anchor out in the bay.

We have been shooting the "bull" here and I haven't written any for the last hour.

That meal you cooked up sure sounds good, wish I could have eaten my part of it. I'll come home if you will promise to cook me a meal like that.

Yes, dear, we will go to Florida when I get out. It is real pretty in Jacksonville and I hear it's even prettier around Miami. 

I got a kick out of what the [Detroit] Free Press said about the 25 "speedy" fighters from the "Saipan." The Saipan is a Jap carrier and I know what type of planes she has, about ten or twelve. Years ago they may have been fast, but now they are obsolete. HA They are about as fast as these anti-sub planes we have. They hit about 200 maybe in a dive. 

I've been talking again. It seems every time I write you I start gabbing and never finish it.

Oh, yes, you mention "mizpah" one more time without telling me what it means and heads will roll. I'm tired of trying to figure it out. 

The weather sounds pretty good at home now. Wish I were there to enjoy it. 

Yes, honey, I know what you mean, but we will see what "Uncle Sam" does with me first. "Hell," he might even decide to let me out early. HA 

From Norfolk, I think the ship is going to Brooklyn, N.Y., after that on to Halifax. 

I had better sign this off. I want to see the movie tonight. 

Answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim

Editor's note: And that's how the story ends. At least from the USS Valley Forge.  I remember hearing stories that Jim was discharged earlier than he expected, so "Uncle Sam" did come through and shortened his time by six months or so. 

In the back of the last packet of letters, Norma kept a piece of the stationery box that Jim used with his initials in white ink. She also kept a playlist of songs:
It probably comes as a surprise to learn that Jim and Norma didn't get married immediately after his discharge, despite the discussion in Jim's letters. Norma told me once when I was a teenager that Jim had trouble adjusting to civilian life after nearly four years of being told what to do. She also described symptoms that sound a bit like PTSD: forgetfulness, difficulty focusing on tasks at hand, bouts of anger. As much as she wanted to get married, Norma decided that Jim needed time to acclimate to post-Navy life. 

After one date in the winter of 1954-55, Jim brought Norma back to her parents house. He was offered a cup of coffee and took off his jacket, which he draped across the back of a chair. He told Norma he forgot his cigarettes in his car and went to fetch them. 

"That's when I knew he was going to propose," Norma told me.

"How?" I asked skeptically.

"I noticed the cigarette box in the inside pocket of his jacket. He went back to get the ring."

Jim went all out, a diamond ring in a platinum setting, offered to Norma as he got down on one knee. There was never any doubt about her answer.

Jim and Norma, ca. 1995
Jim and Norma, in their first apartment on their
wedding day, June 4, 1955


Featured Post

Hello From Boot Camp

James C. Parker, S.R. Co. 208 Great Lakes, Ill January 21, 1951 Scan of Jim's envelope Hello Norma, How's the kid? ...