Sunday, 4 September 1955

Dear Folks

Yes, it’s me—your globe-trotting son. I have a feeling you’ll be hearing quite a bit from me, since there is absolutely nothing else to do around here; of course, it’s going to cost somebody a small fortune in air-mail stamps. You’ll probably get them in batches, especially once we get to sea & the mail is not picked up every day.

Today is the Sabbath, & the ship is once again swarming with wide-eyed civilians. Of course, technically, they own the ship. The run around taking pictures like mad (Daddy & junior in front of an F7U, Mom & sis in back of an F7U, junior clambering into the tailpipe of an F7U), & all the while a tired voice keeps saying: "Visitors will refrain from taking pictures on the ship—we regret that exposed film must be confiscated." HAH! Just try to get their film! "We’re American citizens, & we pay taxes—In fact, young man, we pay your salary!"….Excellent; why don’t you see about getting us a raise?

And so it goes. I’ve been "on duty" for the past two days, which means nothing except that I’ve got to sit in the Supply office all day. Actually, if anyone wants to sit anywhere on this thing, they’ve got to go to some office—that’s the only place on board where there are chairs. When I say "office" I mean a space containing two or three desks & cabinets. There are always the wires & levers & pipes & vents & hatches. Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.

At times I wish I didn’t write so small. Even though I write for ages, I never fill the page. This is exceptionally bad in cases like today, when I have very little to say.

Every notice the exorbitant number of "I"’s in my letters? I must be terribly conceited. Of course (third time for that phrase) when "one" is writing a letter, usually it’s about that person’s doings; therefore the "I" is necessary.

I think they’re launching planes—I’m going to go & see. Never knew a carrier could launch planes from a stopped position, but we’ve been doing it for two days now.

Wish I could get to see the National Air Show. We’re tied up about a mile from there, but we can’t see much. I just went up into the causeways (where the guns are—just below the flight deck) & there are people galore out there, waiting to come aboard, with a steady stream of busses arriving all the time. From there, I could see the tails of some of the larger planes—caught a glimpse of them the other day on my way downtown. They have all the latest fighters & bombers, & the rockets which are used to shoot them down.

Oh, well, such is life. If you will excuse me, I’m going to close now & go eat dinner. Until next time, I am

As Always
Roge