|
| |
Aboard the
USS Jeffers, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean
1941
Dear Sherm (Editor
of Chamberlain Register)
This letter I am about
to write you, grieves me greatly because I have
to ask a favor. That alone takes all of the
intestinal fortitude that I can muster. But
owing to the shortage of paper on the east coast
I have to make a request to you for the local
paper. Now don't get me wrong ... and after all,
paper is paper, but I have to admits yours is a
little more durable than others, comparing more
favorably with Monkey Wards, both in quality and
volume, and sorry to say that I am unable to
obtain the latest edition of that
ever-interesting manuscript. If I could, I
wouldn't stoop so low as to order your paper.
Now Sherm, I will be
greatly pleased if you would place me at the
head of your mailing list, either at my ship's
address, or Dorothy's address, which you can get
from Nel. In return, I will send you a check the
first time I am back in the states. After all,
paper is paper, at any price.
Now Sherm, I have said
all that is necessary, and not wishing to have
anymore conversation with you that is absolutely
necessary, I will close for now...hoping to be
able to read the hometown news the next time I'm
in New York. And wishing you and Mrs. Bates a
Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am,
as ever, Kenneth Christensen.
|
|
| |
Lyman County Man Has
Been in Many War Areas Sept. 1943
Odin Peterson has received a
very interesting letter from a former neighbor,
Ken Christensen, who is now in the navy. He is
making his headquarters in Jersey Cit, N.J. and
has made several trips across. In a letter
received from him a few days ago he says:
Yesterday, much to my sorrow,
we sent Pete and Rosetta back to Cleveland, Ohio.
They came over for two days and two nights. They
are the first civilians I have seen since I joined
the navy; at least from South Dakota, with the
exception of Marion Glass, whom I met over in
Algeria. I guess I'll have to tell you about him.
I made a liberty in Algeria and
went up to a Red Cross unit. There, i registered
in a book for South Dakota men in the service. In
this book were many men from Pierre, Mitchell,
Kimball and surrounding towns. Well, next day, who
should come out to the ship but Marion Glass. He
found my name, knew the number of my ship and came
out in the harbor for a visit. We talked for a
solid six hours, all about our home life before we
were inducted. He is looking swell and is feels
fine. He told me "with a little tear" to let his
mother know he is ok in every respect.
I wrote to you once before to
let you know about how I was in the invasion of
Italy, so I won't touch on that subject this time.
All that I can say is that I have been in Sicily,
Malta, Tunis, Oran, Algiers and the Rock of
Gibraltar. But right now I am in the best country
in the world, the U.S.A.
I am sick and very tired of war
and am hoping and praying that it will be over
next year or the year after.
When Pete was here we visited
Coney Island where we had a good time, but the
best part was talking over the old times and the
good snapshots they brought along. I guess I could
have bawled when they left, if I tried. That is
the way I felt.
Tomorrow or the next day we are
moving. I will give you my new address. I was very
sorry to hear of the crop situation that exists in
Lyman County, but I guess that is only natural for
that part of the country.
The 12th is our wedding
anniversary so I bought Dorothy a $50 bond and
collected a kiss on Broadway in return. Some fun.
I wish I was at liberty to
describe in detail the battle of Sicily, but I
can't do it so I guess when I get back I will have
just that much more to tell. One thing I will say
though is that I personally saw about 20 German
planes come out of the sky in flames and watched
our ship blow up tanks and pillboxes on the beach.
Well Odin, I'll bring this to a
close for now, but will try to write more before I
put out to sea again. Dorothy says to say hello
for her and remember us both to all our friends
and neighbors, especially Grandma Manger. I won't
say "goodbye", just "so long until next time." |
|
|