Monday, May 15, 1944

Mother's Day past and Grandma did not receive a phone call or letter from her Mother thanking her for the flowers she wired to her.  However, it is only the day after Mother's Day so I am certain Grandma will receive word soon.

"Well, I hope you got the flowers that I wired to you & I hope they were nice."

Grandma spent Mother's Day with her future husband, Bud Robinson.  I'm not certain what Grandma has against the people Grandpa hangs out with, but she refers to them as those people.  I guess the answer will reveal itself in time.

"What did you do Mother's Day?  I went to the beach, over to those people's place.  Bud rented a car, a convertible, & last night we rode around & had a very good time."

The Navy is reviewing Grandma and Great-Grandma's application to see if Great-Grandma is eligible to receive an allotment from the Navy.  As an explanation: Great-Grandma is now dependent upon Grandma.  

"I had to put down on my application for your allotment that you had some income ... You will be getting your application soon."

Grandma and the Navy are both coming to Great-Grandma's aid as the Navy is taking a portion of the allotment out of Grandma's paycheck.  

The next page is filled with talk of Grandma's new watch.  What the band looks like, how she could not have it engraved, and she even draws the diameter of the watch to show her Mother.  I wondered why she was going to in such detail when she reminded me of some information:

"I wish I could have had it engraved, but I tell everyone that Daddy gave it to me, so they all know.  I only wish he could have seen it."

This watch was the last gift from her Father.  Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa sent her the money to purchase a new watch and he passed before she could show it off to him.  I know the watch brings comfort to Grandma in her grief.  However, I think Bud Robinson is the better cure for too much grief.

On this day in WWII history

Friday, May 12, 1944

It's my Great-Grandmother's first Mother's day without my Great-Grandfather.  I know that a husband's contribution on Mother's day is not as noticeable as their children's, but I'm certain that he was missed.  Grandma celebrates her mother as best as she can to make up for the distance and their loss.

"By the time you get this letter you will have received the flowers I sent you for Mother's Day.  I didn't have enough money to get you a real nice gift so I thought for the money I could spare the flowers would look the nicest.  I do hope you like them and are not disappointed with them.  Anyway, I know that you understand that still think you are the best Mother in the world anyhow.  Aren't you thrilled?"

This Mother's Day is also particularly harrowing for Grandma's roommate Beverly.  This is the first Mother's Day that Bev is without her mother.  Grandma is having a time of it but still feels compassion for Beverly's situation.

"I don't like to talk too much to Bev about it because she is still broken ip about her Mother's passing and it is hard for her to listen to my troubles.  This is her first Mother's Day without her but she is sending flowers for her grave.  I think Bev sent you a card, didn't she?"

I don't understand why Grandma doesn't reach out to Beverly because then she would have someone to relate to.  On can always find comfort in the shared misery of another human being.

Great Aunt Peggy sent letters from relative who reached out to the sisters.  They're a bittersweet gift for Grandma, as I can imagine they would be.

"I also got a letter from Peggy in which she enclosed a letter from Grandma, Aunt Elsie, Beverly Smith, and I guess that was all.  It made me feel so badly to read them.  It seems that it just brings Daddy's going back to me double fold.  But I still like to read them and see how much everyone thought of him.  I guess I was very lucky to have such a swell Dad for as long as I did, but somehow I never thought he would go."

No remember these letters were in my Great-Grandmother's possession.  She was so worried about my Grandma that she wrote in the margin:

"Maybe we better not send her any more letters."

This makes me shake my head at the 1944 version of my Great-Grandmother.  Life doesn't work that way.  

Although the letters are painful, it is always uplifting to discover that people held your relative in as high esteem as you did.  It makes a world of difference when you are grieving.  It helps you focus on the good times, and rejoice in them.  You have to move forward, but you always carry those memories close to your heart.

Great-Grandpa Shannon

On this day in WWII history

Tuesday, May 9 , 1944

I was wondering when he would show up.  Store Keeper First Class Bud Robinson.  He was a man I was too young to know, but I am told he was an inspiration.  I wrote him a letter when he passed, and tucked it in his coat pocket for him to read in heaven.  I hope he understands this blog is a continuation of that letter.  A bridge across the void. There'd better be internet up in heaven.

I'm thrilled Grandma's finally mentioned him.  I get the chance to know him before their lives were turned upside down.  He was the best Grandpa he was able to be.  Reports from Family members state that he was someone you could learn to live life from.  He meant that much.  This is the first clue I have in my Grandpa mystery.

"I had a nice time over the weekend.  This boy I have been going with is a storekeeper first class and his name is Bud Robinson.  He is from St. Louis.  I went to church with him Sunday.  He made me go to his church with him.  It is the Lutheran church.  After church we went over to those people's place on the beach.  Their name is George O'Brien.  It was George's birthday so we spent all day on the beach and went in swimming and in the evening we went to a nice restaurant and had a steak dinner.  They had a special cake for him and we had a nice time."

I was his only Granddaughter and now I get to know him.  I can't wait!

In all of her letters, Grandma never gives such a full report of her current suitor.  Grandpa was special from the beginning.  He was probably sent by Great-Grandpa Shannon to make sure Grandma would be ok.  

I'm glad Grandpa is able to be there for Grandma because my Great Aunt Peg and Grandmother are desperately trying to move forward.  

"I got a letter from Peggy.  She said she is working hard and I am glad because it keeps her mind off Daddy.  She said ti does but when when she goes to bed at night she tosses all around.  I do the same thing but I keep pretty busy in the daytime so I forget for a while."

The way to handle grief is to stay busy and move forward.  The only way to move is forward, you can't go back.

Store Keeper First Class, Walter Robinson

On this day in WWII history

Thursday, May 4, 1944

Great Grandpa Shannon passed away when Grandma was 22 years old.  He never met my Grandfather or his Grandchildren.  It must have killed Grandma being so far away and feeling so helpless.  Grandma takes charge of the situation from afar and is trying claim my Great-Grandmother as a dependent so that she might receive aid from the military.  Grandma is helping her mother focus and realize that life does go on after death.

"You sent me the statement of how much Daddy's income was but what I want is how much you got.  I have to know that in order to put my application in.  I know that you really didn't get any money but you can make an estimate of how much you live don.  Send it to me at once so I can get your allotment started to you."

These are the things you focus on after a major death in the family.  Try to get them to function in a new routine, because once you have a new routine you can start to put your life back together.  You must remind them that life goes on even if it breaks your heart.

"I was so glad to notice that your writing isn't as shaky as it was.  It makes me feel a lot better because I know that you are better."

I believe that's how Shannon/Robinson women handle grief.  We get everything organized and handled.  Then once everything and everyone is settled we find a quiet room, shut the door, fill it with our grief, and leave it there.

In an effort to distract my Great-Grandmother, Grandma walks her through everyday life.  She mentions her old roommate Marvel visiting her mother, and trying to find a church home in Miami.

"Did Marvel come over and what did you think of her?  I got a card form her and she told me she was on her way home and was going to go over and see you."

and

"Did you go to the Church supper.  I am going to start going to church this coming Sunday.  Dotty Thomas and I are both Protestant and so we are going to start going to some church.  We haven't decided which one yet."

Grandma continues with her everyday happenings to try and take her mother's mind off things.  I hope she succeeds.  Grandma closes rather quickly because she starts her new position in the morning as the head of the office.  I am so excited for her!  Good luck Grandma!

Monday, April 10, 1944

In her previous letter, Grandma mentions she having her picture taken and she is being interviewed for the Missoulian by the PR department.  Her interview and photo should be in the local newspaper at anytime.

I guess they will have my picture in the Missoulian any day now.  They sent them a picture of me and so you be watching for it.  I know that you will be thrilled to death."

Grandma spent the Easter weekend rather quietly.  She is still exhausted by her efforts with the Court of Inquiry.

"They called Commander Graham Saturday and wanted me to report another one.  He wouldn't release me though because while I was away we got too far behind on the work here and with Mildred leaving there are a lot of things that I have to learn.  I would like to do that kind of work but it is too hard on me.  I would like a nice long rest before I would ever have to start on another one."

Court reporting sounds draining according to Grandma.  She says that she worked night and day, nearly 15 hour days.  I loved my Grandmother very much, but she did have the tendency to exaggerate.  Although, I did inherit her "I'm tired and don't care what you think about what I'm saying" trait.  It's a trait that shares my experience with honesty amongst the world so, I'm incredibly fond of it.  If she says she's worn out, she's not exaggerating as much as usual.

The Shannon family sure does make it's presence known.  Grandma runs into her cousin Don Shannon in Miami.  He was stationed in Orlando prior to shipping out and came to Miami for a visit.

"Guess who was here.  None other than Don Shannon.  I was walking down the street with Beverly and I saw this soldier and I thought to myself that I knew him and just about that point I said Don and he said Betty and he grabbed me and kissed me. (I didn't go for that too much) Poor Beverly didn't know what to think of me kissing strange me(n) but we explained to her that we were cousins.  He is a Master Sergeant but I still outrate him.  He was equal to me when I was 2nd Class.  He went out with Beverly and his flight officer was with him and I went out with him. ... They came down to Miami just to see me and have some fun.  When I saw him coming down the street he was on his way over ot the barracks."

I appreciate the fact that my Grandma is not a kissing kind of cousin.  Although, Beverly's eagerness to go out with him after the episode does shed some light on the whole 1940s dating scene.  You go on a date with someone to be courteous.  Dates are just dates in the WII world.  Oh, you're my roommates cousin?  Well, of course I'll go out with you!  You never knew if the military man was going to come back form the front, or if he would even write you.  It's an act of kindness extended to a man who is fighting for your country.  Just as long as he doesn't get too fresh.

On this day in WWII history

Wednesday, April 5, 1944

The Court of Inquiry demands perfection.  Grandma had to edit her dictation, and retype the whole thing neatly.  It was over 200 pages, on legal paper, and she used a typewriter!

"It is down being checked for errors in procedure and then I will make the corrections and then I will be through with it.  I am rather glad.  It has kept me busy though, but just the same I am pretty tired.  Commander Graham is going to give me a couple days off to rest.  You know, I worked night and day.  The thing turned out to be 200 pages and some odd on legal sized paper.  This is a lot of work and for a person doing it all by themselves and who has never done that before that is really a lot of work."

I am glad her CO is letting her take a few days to recuperate because when she comes back, her friend Mildred is heading to New York.  That means that my Grandmother is now in charge of the Security Office.

"Mildred, the girl who works with me is going to go to New York.  I really hate to see her go.  That means I will be in charge of this office now.  I certainly hope that I can do as good a job as she does.  I am afraid that will be impossible because she has been here since the Security Office opened and she knows everything."

I am trying to figure out what the security office did, but that will be for another blog post.

Living Situations at the barracks are annoying Grandma.  They're putting restrictions her social life and she despises it.  When Great Aunt Peggy arrives in Miami, Grandma will live with her in a rented apartment.  She cannot wait.

"Although I can hardly wait till Peggy gets down here and I think that I can move out of the barracks.  They are getting pretty tough on us over at the barracks.  We now have to be in at 1 o'clock in the morning.  We can get passes to stay out though.  I don't often stay out after 1 but sometimes you might want to and I hate to think of having rules."

They even make her go on watch on Saturday nights!

"I have the watch Saturday night which makes it just too lovely for me.  I will look good from a good sleep on Easter Sunday though."

The AUDACITY!

On this day in WWII history

Thursday, March 23, 1944

Grandma spent 2 weeks taking dictation for the Naval Court of Inquiry.  She's been working 15 hour days and i snow up to 180 words per minute.  To put that in some perspective, the average WPM for a typist in word processing is 70 words per minute.  Or she is being sarcastic, either one.

"When you are a permanent court reporter you have help and the work isn't too hard on you.  I think I have got my speed up to about 180 words a minute.  Of course, if they get going too fast for you you can stop them and I had to do that a number of times.  They were going to get someone to relieve me and they called two yeomen in to take dictation with me and they couldn't even get it so they had to keep me on -- that is why I have been so swamped."

The Court of Inquiry is the Military court that investigates internal affairs.  She does mention that she would like to that kind of work year round, but she is definitely ready to go back to her regular position.

"It is all over now so I can go back to my loafing."

While Grandma's been taking dictation, Beverly passed her first class examinations and they both hold the First Class ranking.

"I am glad that you are so proud of me for getting first class.  Beverly made first class the other day and she is quite proud of herself.  We both go down the street thinking we are pretty smart."

Her nose totally popped into the air when she wrote that sentence.  She most likely laughed at herself shortly thereafter.

WWII bred a sense of camaraderie amongst American citizens that has not been repeated since.  Everyone did their part.  They dealt with enlisting, planted a victory garden, and handled the rations.  Americans were told to contribute to the war effort and they did so with great aplomb. People were apt to contribute to another person's well being and life.  Apparently, Grandma owed money to Great Aunt Peg. She had the money all ready to go but then one of her friends needed help.  Grandma lent her the money without hesitation.

"I had the money to send to her the other day but a girl that I know well, the lives in Kansas City got a telegram that her mother was dying and she had to have money quick to go home.  She flew and it cost $100 one way.  I lent her the money I was going to send Peggy.  She is going to bring the money back that she owes me so I will send it to Peggy then."

That generation is so willing to give of their time and of themselves whole heartedly.  Both sets of my grandparents were generous with what they had to give.  They were part of their communities, and they were enriched by those communities in turn.  People barely know their neighbors nowadays.  I want that kind of community again.  You just have to give a little bit of yourself to receive a far greater gift. A support system that is a hundred people strong and willing to help in anyway.

Friday, March 3, 1944

The Navy courts were lacking in court reporters, and they Grandma's help.  They went through her commanding officer and requested her specifically.  Her Naval reputation is starting to proceed her.

"I have to be a court reporter today.  They are short on yeoman so they called my commander  asked if they could borrow me for 2 days.  I have never taken dictation like that but it will prove interesting.  You have to take down everything that is said & just as it is said."

Thinking of being a court reporter on a type writer where you do not have the capability to erase with the touch of a button cause me anxiety.  I never would have gotten through high school if I had to type all of my papers on a typewriter.  You can also forget about handwritten papers; my handwriting is still illegible.  

Flagler Gardens is the hottest place to shake it down.  This is the second weekend in a row that Grandma danced the night away in its halls.  Then her Miami life and her Missoula life collided on the dance floor.

"Last night I went dancing to Flagler Gardens & who should I see there but Raymond Pete. ... I went to high school & university with him. ... We were surely glad to see each other.  He is leaving Saturday for home."

WWII shrank the world in so many ways  Grandma was thousands of miles away from home and she still ran into a friend form Missoula.  The world shrank then and it keeps on shrinking.  Unfortunately so do Grandma's letters, as she says at the beginning of her letter:

"This is just going to be a line."

My line ends here.  Night y'all

On this day in WWII history

Monday, February 28, 1944

CONGRATULATIONS GRANDMA ROBINSON! On Monday, February 28, 1944 , Grandma Robinson passed her First Class examinations with perfect scores!

"I took my final test today for 1st class & my staying home nights to study was rewarded by my passing with 4.0, which in the Navy is perfect.  I go up to first class the 1st of March.  It certainly is a big load off my mind."

She took a study break the weekend before and spent the day at the beach.  Grandma got sunburnt but she's sure her skin will now be tough enough for future beach expeditions.

I got sunburned again this weekend.  It's quite sore but not as bad as last week.  You'd think I'd tan instead of burn.  I think now my skin will be tough."

During WWII people didn't worry about those pesky sunburns.  You wanted to burn so then your skin would tan and your greatest hope was to make your skin tough.  As a natural redhead, these statements make my skin crawl.  The Sun Tan lotion from my childhood felt like zinc laced oil, and I NEVER wanted to wear it.  There are at least a dozen photos of me at the beach wearing long pants and shirts with a bog floppy hat protecting my freckles from the scorching sun.  Grandma wanted her cowboy skin and all I ever wanted to do was go back inside into the AC.  Now I have a canopy chair, but someone needs to come up with a canopy inner tube so I can stay in the water as long as I want.  It was my idea internet, LEAVE IT ALONE!

And now back to Grandma:

The Woodworths, the Lieutenant and his wife who are also stationed in Miami and who are also from Missoula are hosting an "Everybody's from Montana" party!

"The Lt. Woodworth called me & want(s) me to go out with them next Saturday night.  They have an extra man who also from Missoula & a couple from Msla by the name of Beebe.  We will have a Montana get together I guess."

Grandma sure does throw some shade when she wants to.  Although that wasn't a very snarky line, I just hear how she would say it in my head, and know my Grandfather would have raised an eyebrow.  

P.S. I am the only family member who can raise their one eyebrow.  Molly FTW!

Beach Betty

On this day in WWII history

Friday, February 25, 1944 and a short recap

Well, February marks the half way point in the calendar year that I gave myself to read and understand all of these wonderful letters.  Me being me, I was really passionate about maintaining this blog and then my passion wained.  So, this is where we stand at the half way mark.  I have 72 letters to read, research, and digest in 6 months.  There will be three letters a week from here on out and two letters a week on bad weeks.  I need to regroup and remember I am not doing this for myself, but for my Grandma.  There are less than ten books about the WAVES contributions to WWII on Amazon, and one of those was a picture book!  My Grandma and the women who made the choice to be there in our country's greatest hour of need deserve to be heard.  I do this for them and in her memory.  I am proud and honored to call her my Grandmother.

In that vein, let's hear what Grandma has to say.

Great Aunt Peggy and their friend Marilyn are coming to stay the summer in Miami.  Miami is intense compared to Missoula.  I know Grandma will enjoy showing Miami off and taking them to all the happening places.

"I got a letter from Peggy and she had heard from Marilyn.  She sent the letter on to me.  Marilyn was sick in bed at the time she wrote the letter.  She said that she is going to come down here with Peggy this summer.  I think that will be good because I don't know whether I could live out of the Barracks and it would make the rent a lot less for Peg to have someone with her."

Grandma studies day and night for her First Class examinations.  She's pretty serious for a 22 year old.  Granted, she also went out and saw Eric Blore.  

"I went dancing to the Flagler Gardens last night with a sailor that I met when I first came down here.  He had a buddy so Beverly went with him.  We had a fairly nice time.  That is about all that I have done this week.  I am still studying and stick to it quite steadily.  Last night when Bev and I were over to the Old Castle eating Eric Blore the movie actor was in there.  I got a good look at him and was so pleased that I got to see him.  He takes parts of a butler in movies, he is a comedian."

As Grandma mentioned, Eric Blore was known for playing Butlers, waiters, and other service industry types.  He was a staple in the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals.  In my adolescent world, he was most famous for voicing Mr. Toad in Disney's Wind in the Willows.  His death caused a media stir when the New Yorker prematurely announced his death.  When Blore's lawyer caused a ruckus the New Yorker agreed to print a retraction.  However, the night before the retraction was due, Eric Blore passed away.  So, the New Yorker printed a retraction for the correct information that day after Blore's death.

Happy Anniversary to Grandma Robinson!  On February 23, 1944, Grandma had her one year anniversary with the Navy.

"I have been on active duty in the Navy for a year now.  Really the 23rd of Feb.  Altho, I was sworn in on the 20th of Jan.  My this year has certainly flown.  You know, the saying about your teeth being far apart means you will be far away from home someday, well that is the truth with me isn't it?"

She's come a long way in year for a 22 year old from Missoula, Montana.  She doesn't realize it, and I don't think she ever did, but she changed the world by joining the WAVES.  Grandma changed the way the Navy viewed women, and hence changed America's view.  I wouldn't have all of these privileges afforded to me without her or my Mom.  Thank you for changing the world for me.  

I'll close by following the orders my Grandma Robinson set out for her parents.

"Be sure to write often and don't overdo yourselves."

Photo of Eric Blore with Special thanks to Deeper Into Movies

On this day in WWII history