Author: Kathi

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 31, 1943 – Tuesday

“Took chiropractor treatment.  Sure having trouble with my back.  Feel a little better, another tomorrow.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 27, 1943 – Friday

“Announced over radio today that an army transport plane will pick up all the P.O.W. packages and rush them to New York.  Sure sounds good.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 23, 1943 – Monday

“Arose early.  Finished filling box, wrapped and mailed it first thing this a.m.  They are making a special bundle of the P.O.W. packages and rushing them thru.  Here’s hoping and praying he will get it.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 22, 1943 – Sunday

“Arose early and sure did a lot of chasing around trying to get package ready.  Jerri helped me.  Was quite a problem as everything has to be in certain containers.  However have it already except one lbs sugar which I will get in the a.m. before I mail it.“

My grandmother even saved the package contents. You can’t really tell from this scan but the 1 lb sugar was added later in pencil.

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 21, 1943 – Saturday

“Found out by radio today they have changed the date for mailing package to be in New York by Aug 27.  Afraid it will never reach there in time.  The Gripsholm is to sail Sept 1.  However I’ll try and have it ready to mail Mon a.m.“

The Swedish liner, the SS Gripsholm was chartered to the US State Department during World War II, from 1942 to 1946, as an exchange and repatriation ship, under the protection of the Red Cross, hence the term “mercy ship”. The Gripsholm also carried mail and food packages to prisoners of war.

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 20, 1943 – Friday

“Rec’d package labels for a package to Earl.  Must be in New York by Sept 15.  Sure was surprised.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

August 16, 1943 – Tuesday

“Big day.  Rec’d letter from Gladys Haskins including a card for me from Earl.  His signature was on it and is his writing.  Boy am I walking in the clouds.  First message from him since November 1941.  Took it to work.  Everyone wanted to see it.  Sure has been handled a lot.  No date as to when sent.  He is supposed to be well, uninjured and in good health.  Sure pray it is true.  Message was “Don’t worry.  Love to all.  Best regards to family”  Boy oh Boy am I happy.“

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I am so thankful that my grandmother kept every one of the cards she received from my Dad. My Dad told me that when he was allowed to send a card he would be sure to include something (like the name of a mutual friend or place…etc) so that she would know for sure it was from him.

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 26, 1943 – Monday

“Well came home this a.m.  Looked pretty cramped in here but tiding it up a lot and feel at home again tonite.  Waiting for Harley to come home from work.  Is 11:30 p.m. now.  Sure rec’d a big stack of cards from the “bunch” at the Flag Loft.  Answered quite a few tonite.  Pretty warm but cool now.  Tired but feel O.K.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 25, 1943 – Sunday

“Decided to wait until tomorrow to go home.  Hate to go at all as I sure like it here.  Harley worked.  So did Carl.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 24, 1943 – Saturday

“Dr said I was O.K. to go home now and come back next week about Friday.“

Apparently my grandmother and Harley stayed in St. Helena for the week after her surgery, rather than return down to Vallejo.   Probably at Harley’s brother’s (Carl) place.