My Dad introduces Mom

Mom’s memorial service was today. It was a wonderful event all around, joining family, old friends, new friends, all with a common thread of knowing and loving my Mom. At the service, my cousin read the following letter that was sent to his mother- and father-in-law, a letter in which Dad introduced his new wife to his elder brother and wife.

February 24, 1944

Dear Ev & Myra –

I hope you are sitting down, and, if not, you had better find a seat. Back in November I married a nurse with whom I had been going since March. We made a secret pact not to tell a soul but the secret is out now so everything is OK. The reason for it being kept secret is that if the brass-hats had known about it Rosemary would have gone one way and me another. Although there were times when we wanted to shout it from the housetops, we managed it very well. Her mother, (her father died when she was a baby) mom & pop were the only ones that knew it. Of course all during the time we had to be very careful due to rumors and she had to live on the post.

Around the end of the year it became evident that I was to be a papa, making her discharge necessary. This we could do anytime Rosemary reported all of it to Miss Maxton. We had planned on telling her this week but Saturday before last, she was called into the office and there were sealed orders for overseas shipment. She called me right away and asked what she should do. I told her “Tell Miss Maxton everything — you in a fox-hole in a couple of months won’t look good — you’d probably get stuck”.

So back into the office she went, told her story, and then it spread like wildfire. That night there was a dance at the Officer’s Club so we went and did we take a ribbing. I guess we deserved it. Right away, they examined Rosemary and we are expecting her discharge around the end of the month. We have found a small furnished apartment for $45.00 per month, and are lucky at that. We started moving last night.

Now to tell you a little of the person I married. She is a girl from Minnesota and a very good nurse. She is short, brown hair, brown eyes, medium figure, and clumsy. We will send you a picture as soon as we get some made.

Now for her non-physical side. She is full of life, very effervescent. She is the type of person who never sees any ill in any person. She is accepted as the best nurse on the surgical service. The only element some people might consider a draw-back is the fact that she is Catholic. This is one reason, and probably the main reason we weren’t married before. We had several discussions about, even going to Father Hoffman (the Catholic Chaplain) here on the post about it. He tried to convert me, but I told him where I stood and Tot told him she had never seen a Catholic whose ideals she admired as much and he told her we should stop going together. This we did and both of us were miserable. I realized full well what marrying her would entail and decided my love and regard for her would have to transcend the feelings I held against her religion. So we were married the next week.

I am a lucky boy all the way around. I love her so much, and I am more than confident she loves me, even to the point of spoiling me (and I spoil easily). We are having a time getting started. She went down last week and received the ration books and already have a shelf full of rationed goods whose points have been voided.

Before I forget — the pictures I took all turned out swell. I haven’t put them in slides yet but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know which are the best so we can order the prints.

I think that’s about all for now — that’s about enough. Just call mom and tell her you know, she has been dying to tell you about it. Regards to all and looking forward to the time you can meet Mrs. Rosemary Lank.

With love,
Murrell